On the high E string 1st fret, the fret doesn’t work. In other words, it sounds just like the 2nd fret, which tells me the 1st fret isn’t functioning (and it buzzes just on the 1st fret). How can this be fixed? A bigger string? A new fret? thanks
What kind of guitar? If it’s electric, you might solve the problem by increasing the action, which is a simple procedure (on most electrics at least).
There’s more than one thing it could be. First, check the fret itself and make sure it’s not loose or catching the string or anything. If it is, it’s pretty easy to glue back in place. That’s probably not it, though. It’s probably either the string, the action or the neck. If it’s an old string, I would change that first. If the buzz and the dead spot is still there, check the action. If the action is ok, you might have a warped neck, in which case you might need to adjust the truss rod.
Usually, when that’s happened with me, it’s just an old, dead string that isn’t stretching right anymore. Try that first.
What Randy and Diogenes said. Also another possible fix if all else fails is to file the 2nd fret down a little, but you want to be careful doing that, if its a nice guitar.
If it sounds just like the second fret then the first fret is not high enough for the string to clear the second one. This might actually be a problem with the 2nd fret, it may have come loose and be raised up slightly, or it could be a worn 1st fret, bad action etc.
Lay a straight-edge lengthwise over the top frets. Does it rock on the second fret? If it looks like it might be coming loose you could try tapping it back into its slot. Or (gently) filing it down a tad, literally do one file stroke at a time and retry the first fret each time.
How is the action generally, and how straight is the neck?
Of course, if you’re not into DIY, find a local music store you trust, take your guitar into their luthier (love that word!) and ask him to check and set the intonation. I have to do this with mine soon.
Thanks a lot for the responses. It is actually someone else’s guitar and I don’t have it handy, but as for the details: it’s electric, relatively new, and cheap. The action from what I remember was pretty low. I’m hoping that simply pushing in the 2nd fret will solve the problem.