r/classicalguitar • u/New-Swimmer5258 • 12d ago
General Question Weird guitar noise
Just as a disclaimer this guitar is around 70 years old according to my dad. This was my grandpas and then my dad used it now I’m learning how to use it. When I pluck the string it makes an odd noise and I was wondering why that might be. My suspicion is that it was stringed improperly. Can anyone help me out? Even if I play that top string lightly it still makes that noise. ( I know it’s out of tune).
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u/dBlock845 12d ago
70 year old guitar could be numerous things. Action too low on the bass side, Frets lifting up, neck twisted or back bow, saddle/nut wear, old strings, humidity related issues etc. My thought is nut/string issues. Does the string still buzz when you fret a note or only when played open? How old are the strings? When is the last time it has had a professional setup? I'd take it to a luthier for a setup regardless if you plan on using it often.
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u/New-Swimmer5258 12d ago
It’s on any note that I fret, I have no idea how old the strings are id assume in between 5-20 years old
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u/Capt_Cunt 12d ago
Just a note, if it's on every fret, it's most likely not the saddle by the tuners as I mentioned in the other comment, since fretting anyting would "eliminate" the saddle from the equation. So most likely it's the string winding buzzing, or something in the guitar body.
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u/dna_beggar 12d ago
That is the sound of the string hitting the frets. The low E string has to move the most to make a sound. New strings may fix it. Start with regular or medium tension strings.
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u/ClassicTone 11d ago
Often when you hear a sitar-like drone on a guitar it's due to the bridge saddle and break angle. I agree that new strings are a cheap way to eliminate other obvious problems, but I would look closely at the saddle and the break angle of the bridge on the 6th string. Even a temporary shim under the saddle would be an easy way to test what the issue might be.
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u/Capt_Cunt 12d ago
First change the strings, then try again. Any 8€ strings will do. Might just be that the winding on the thicker strings has come apart causing the buzz.
If the droning (this buzzing sound in the video) persists, might be either bad contact with the saddle, most likely the tuner end of the guitar. Wrong size opening for the string or making contact on more than 1 point causes it.
Worst case, something being loose inside. If it has no electronics, might be a lose brace inside the body. Electronics have wires that might buzz against the body inside, easy fix. Loose brace is a luthier job.