Does fret buzz always mean worn frets?
No. Guitar fret buzz can come from the relationship between string height, neck relief, frets and playing technique. It can also be confused with a loose part rattling. Replacing frets before identifying the source can mean paying for work that does not solve the problem.
Start by recording which strings and notes buzz. Play at your normal volume, then with a lighter touch. On an electric guitar, listen through a clean amplifier as well as unplugged. Your goal is a repeatable description of the problem, not a perfect diagnosis.
If the open string buzzes
Compare the open note with the same string fretted at a few positions. A buzz that disappears when you fret the string is useful information for a technician examining the nut and other contact points. It does not prove the nut alone is responsible.
Check whether the sound is coming from a loose tuner part, pickup mounting or another visible fitting. Look without forcing or dismantling anything. If the string recently changed, mention the new gauge and tuning; the instrument may now need a different adjustment.
If one note or a small area buzzes
Write down the fret number, string and whether the note rings, dies quickly or chokes during a bend. Local trouble may lead a technician to inspect fret height and seating, but neck geometry and action still need checking.
A fret dress or local fret repair deals with the frets already on the guitar. A refret replaces them. The amount of usable fret material helps determine the appropriate option; buzzing alone does not tell you which one to buy.
If many notes buzz after a change
Consider what changed: lower action, different strings, a new tuning, an adjustment or a change in storage conditions. A heavy picking attack needs more room for string movement than a light touch. There is no universally correct lowest action for every player.
Avoid chasing the noise with several unrelated adjustments at once. A complete setup checks the instrument as a system. The technician can then explain whether adjustment is enough or whether a separate fret or structural repair is necessary.
How to make a useful buzz recording
Record a short clip that names the string and fret before playing the note. Repeat the symptom slowly, without effects or background music. For an electric instrument, make a second clip through a clean amp if the noise affects the amplified sound.
Send that description with your repair enquiry, and mention any recent drop or visible damage. Favaran serves Toronto and the GTA from near Davisville & Yonge, with pickup and drop-off arranged by enquiry. An inspection is needed to confirm which work will help.