Can anybody help solve my problem?

[V100]

So recently whilst playing my guitar I noticed a strange fret noise whilst playing my Les Paul copy. It was sort of like a metallic vibrato, really fast. It occurs around the seventh to eleventh frets on the high e and B strings, most prominently on the tenth fret on the e. It sounded awful. I have tested several things, such as playing it through a different amp and with a different cable, and also tested it with my old guitar. Only this guitar makes the noise, changing cables and amps didn't make a difference.

I'm considering taking it back to the guitar shop and having a word, I have not had it long (about 3 months) and whilst I play it often, I look after it and see no reason why it would be damaged.

Google yields no useful information, I was thinking that any guitar specialists here might be able to help.

It's a Vintage V100.

[Ultuous]

Out of touch with guitars (and never had the pleasure of owning a Les Paul/ clone) but in case no-one more qualified is along shortly (they may miss your thread seeing as it says nothing about guitars in the topic)... is the bridge adjusted correctly, or are the strings 'buzzing' by virtue of clashing over another fret?

[Big_Kahuna]

Take it back to the shop as soon as you can and get it looked at by an expert.

[gbbird]

Does it make the noise even if not plugged in to an amp? Listen carefully as it probably does.

Sounds like a minor set up problem to me. Action/Bridge/saddle. But if you are not sure how to adjust, best take it to the shop

[5705]

Sounds like a typical fret buzz. Be aware that the underlying cause (which was not apparent at first, but is now present) could be the slight movement in the neck due to the guitar adjusting to the humidity/etc of your home.

Not sure if all guitar shops would make the necessary adjustment for free?

[V100]

Just remembered something. Once when I had finished playing with it, the strap unbuckled from the top to lie across the floor, as I turned around I tripped and the guitar hit the floor body first. I inspected and the only damage I could see was the pickup selector was slightly bent, which I just pulled back into place, and the pickguard was a little squeaky. Not sure if any other damage could be done?

It only seems to happen when I use lots of overdrive. I play with clean tones a lot and it isn't really noticeable, although I haven't checked thoroughly.

[5705]

V100 said:

It only seems to happen when I use lots of overdrive. I play with clean tones a lot and it isn't really noticeable, although I haven't checked thoroughly.

Overdrive does two relevant things:
1) adds lots of harmonics and that can make some things more audible than when you play clean (not just fret buzz, but also pick scrapes and finger-noise)
2) adds compression which means that the volume of any fret buzz is comparatively louder than what you hear through a clean setting with no compression.

As someone said above, first thing to check: go into a VERY quiet room, guitar only no amp, play those same strings+frets and listen for fret buzz coming from a fret between the fretted note and the bridge.

[V100]

5705 said:

V100 said:

It only seems to happen when I use lots of overdrive. I play with clean tones a lot and it isn't really noticeable, although I haven't checked thoroughly.

Overdrive does two relevant things:
1) adds lots of harmonics and that can make some things more audible than when you play clean (not just fret buzz, but also pick scrapes and finger-noise)
2) adds compression which means that the volume of any fret buzz is comparatively louder than what you hear through a clean setting with no compression.

As someone said above, first thing to check: go into a VERY quiet room, guitar only no amp, play those same strings+frets and listen for fret buzz coming from a fret between the fretted note and the bridge.

Doesn't compression, well, compress the sound wave and then increase the make-up gain? Thus resulting in a more consistent volume? At least, that's how I learnt it. Thinking about it this makes sense as the fret buzz would be quite a low signal.

Anyway, just checked. There certainly is fret buzz, very major in fact. It's buzzing from about seven to twelve on both strings.

[5705]

V100 said:

Doesn't compression, well, compress the sound wave and then increase the make-up gain? Thus resulting in a more consistent volume? At least, that's how I learnt it. Thinking about it this makes sense as the fret buzz would be quite a low signal.

Yes. Think of it like this. The guitar's output has your playing at an arbitrary level of say 10. And the fret buzz is 1. When the FX/amp is set to clean and loud there's may be some minor compression. So let's say your playing is now 9 and the fret buzz is 2.

Then you hit overdrive and the huge compression (that generates such lovely sustain) means your playing is now 8 and the fret buzz is 4. So we've gone from 10:1 to 2:1.

Those are made-up numbers - and the ears work logarithmically (sp?) but it shows the general idea. It's the same reason that harmonics seem to sing better when the amp is set for distortion.

Your fret buzz may need a truss rod tweak, a little fret dressing and/or action tweak.