Fender Player Plus Stratocaster - Nut buzz on open low E

[StratitisWrangler]

Hello everyone and Merry Christmas!
I've recently bought a Mexican Fender Player Plus Stratocaster (SSS) and love it. The guitar arrived in great shape and it is mechanically sound. I've given it a few weeks and then done a complete setup (neck relief, action, intonation pickup height) since it changed continents. It came with 9s strings which is the gauge I use too. The problem I have with it is that my nut buzzes when I play the open low E string (nothing comes through the amp though). I am certain that non of the frets buzz as it is a different sound and I've checked by pressing on every fret and playing it, no buzz, only when played open and I can hear the buzz come from the nut. What I noticed is that the guitar doesn't have this buzz when it is in a horizontal position or held backward only when it is in a normal playing position. Graphite didn't work so I've put a very small piece of cotton on the bottom side of the nut so that the string presses against it to the side. I don't have this buzz anymore but this means that I have to replace the cotton every time I change strings. What is the source of this problem, too wide a nut slot? Does anyone have an idea for a permanent solution?

 

[Tragedician]

Hard to diagnose without seeing it but here are some possibilities.

First, have you changed the strings? Before attempting any repairs, I’d first try that. It may resolve the issue.

If the nut slot is too wide, you should be able to see or feel it on close inspection. Check with a magnifying glass if you have one. If not, or alternatively, take a pic with your phone and zoom in. Also try gently wiggling the string side to side both at tension and with the string loosened. If the slot is too wide, it should be evident especially in comparison to how the other strings/slots look and feel.

That said, I suspect the slot may be cut too deep. It’s a fairly common issue and your temporary solution seems to bear that out. If so, Phil has a great video on how to DIY fix it (starting at 3:00):



Edit to add: Lastly, if it were mine and I didn’t hear buzz through the amp, I might just leave it be.

 

[StratitisWrangler]

Hard to diagnose without seeing it but here are some possibilities.

First, have you changed the strings? Before attempting any repairs, I’d first try that. It may resolve the issue.

If the nut slot is too wide, you should be able to see or feel it on close inspection. Check with a magnifying glass if you have one. If not, or alternatively, take a pic with your phone and zoom in. Also try gently wiggling the string side to side both at tension and with the string loosened. If the slot is too wide, it should be evident especially in comparison to how the other strings/slots look and feel.

That said, I suspect the slot may be cut too deep. It’s a fairly common issue and your temporary solution seems to bear that out. If so, Phil has a great video on how to DIY fix it (starting at 3:00):



Edit to add: Lastly, if it were mine and I didn’t hear buzz through the amp, I might just leave it be.

I did change the strings and upon closer inspection, it does appear to be slightly deeper than the others, not wider. It is not coming out through the amp like you've said I just might leave it be and replace the entire nut if things get worse. The baking soda trick is ingenious, thanks for the quick response!

 

[Dick Blackmore]

Easy to check fret the third fret E and tap the string after the 1st fret, if there is any clearance its not too low, if its sitting on the first fret its too low. The superglue trick is effective but I would tap that nut out first, doing it on the guitar is asking for superglue mess all over your nice new guitar neck, and your fingers and everywhere else. I just replace them, there are cheap preslotted nuts all over the internet that are really good including Graph Tech nuts at the higher end cost wise.

 

[TheWorldsAStage]

Sounds like you're on your way but thought I'd post this just in case. Just got a new player strat and I too had a low open E buzz. I checked and set up everything first including checking the clearance as Dick described. Then I found when I pressed on the E behind the nut the buzz stopped. Looking at it I suspected the slot was too flat so I lightly filed at a downward angle toward the tuning post. Very very lightly like 5 times and that fixed it.

Edit: I should also add the guitar had 9s and I play 10s. So it's possible the slot wasn't quite wide enough for the low E rather than the angle being the problem.

 

[FuncleManson]

Easy to check fret the third fret E and tap the string after the 1st fret, if there is any clearance its not too low, if its sitting on the first fret its too low. The superglue trick is effective but I would tap that nut out first, doing it on the guitar is asking for superglue mess all over your nice new guitar neck, and your fingers and everywhere else. I just replace them, there are cheap preslotted nuts all over the internet that are really good including Graph Tech nuts at the higher end cost wise.

Yep. You can find Fender-style bone nuts for under $10 all over Amazon, Reverb, Stratosphere and eBay. I'm sure other places too. Way less trouble, IMO, than the super glue and baking soda/bone dust. You'll probably need a set of nut files to finish the slots, but you'd need that with the super glue trick also.

 

[StratitisWrangler]

Thanks for all the replies yeah I wouldn't really want to do the baking soda superglue thing to my new shiny strat lol.. I didn't know that nuts can be bought pre-slotted that's an easy swap in that case. I checked everything Dick described and there is enough clearance I have some experience with setting up guitars. It's just that I never encountered something like this. The buzz goes away when I press gently behind the nut towards the tuners on the low E string so it might be that it's too flat this is an easy fix I will try it. Thanks all of you for the replies

 

[StratitisWrangler]

Sounds like you're on your way but thought I'd post this just in case. Just got a new player strat and I too had a low open E buzz. I checked and set up everything first including checking the clearance as Dick described. Then I found when I pressed on the E behind the nut the buzz stopped. Looking at it I suspected the slot was too flat so I lightly filed at a downward angle toward the tuning post. Very very lightly like 5 times and that fixed it.

Edit: I should also add the guitar had 9s and I play 10s. So it's possible the slot wasn't quite wide enough for the low E rather than the angle being the problem.

I think you are right with the flatness I had the same idea to just ever so slightly file it under an angle since I also found that the buzz stops when I press on the string behind the nut. I might give this a shot.

 

[Believer7713]

It definitely makes me perk up when I have a nut that buzzes. In fact, sometimes I like to set my phone in my lap and hope some one calls or texts.