String buzzes only when open?

[Sidney Vicious]

Trying to set up a Gretsch Americana - buzzes - installed new strings and tweaked the truss rod but still much buzzing going on.

I note that if I fret a buzzing sting at the first fret no buzz from there to 12 or even beyond - and get good tone - but open it buzzes.

What does that tell me?

Actually, what does it tell you who know more than me?

Nut? Bridge? Trussrod tweak? Or bad fret?

[twangcaster1]

The nut is too low.

[Sidney Vicious]

Originally Posted by twangcaster1

The nut is too low.

Thanks for the quick reply!

The nut just sits on the guitar with string tension holding it down.

What do you recommend for a shim? And does it need to be glued down?

[Sidney Vicious]

Searching around for suitable shim material I read that people used card stock, credit card material, wood, paper soaked in super glue, etc.

I decided to use self-adhesive copper foil that I bought for a shielding I never did.

Loosened strings and snuck out nut;

Stacked 4 pieces of shielding to the bottom of the nut, one at a time;

Trimmed the group to the nut with a box cutter;

Snuck nut back in;

Tuned to pitch.

Sounds great!

Sweet little guitar just needed a little TLC.