Buzz mechanics of a Stingray

[AdrianDeBlk]

So I hope that this, my first post, doesn't sound too idiotic or sophomoric. I'm only recently getting into the MAINTENANCE aspect of guitars and while most of it seems fairly easy to grasp, it seems there are also many subtle nuances. I'm hardly experienced with any of it, so please keep this in mind.

It was two weeks ago when I bought a Stingray (4 string) from a local guitar shop. They picked it up about two weeks before that from a guy passing through town. I read the original receipt and apparently it was made in North Carolina or just sold there (it gave me the impression of both though..?), in 2000. While I'm fairly pleased with it (my only other, and previous, bass was a Spector 4 string, I forget the model name but it's newer and a "second-tier"/intermediate instrument), especially how it plays, the sound is almost appalling to me, in comparison with my Spector even. I was pretty quick to blame this on fret buzzing, but I can't locate a specific fret where buzzing really occurs, and following some setup steps, the action seems pretty keen too.

The only time the clangy, metallic buzzing stops, I've observed, is past the 19th fret of any string. There is so little room for movement at that point that it can't. But that made me wonder if this all wasn't coming from the pickup. When I turn the high up on my EQ (the 2nd knob) it gets REALLY bad. The low doesn't affect it, but the middle does. Could the pickup, then, be the problem? It's the original musicman. I'm considering buying a Basslines pickup SMD-4 to replace it, they say that it is a good deal better.

Please advise.

 

[tkarter]

Welcome to the board.

check this out http://www.ernieball.com/faq_mmbass.php

If made in 2000 it should say where it was made on the backside of the headstock. I think you will find it wasn't North Carolina.

Some of the more knowledgable setup folks will come along and help out further I reckon.

tk

 

[johans]

welcome to the forum

whoaa .. i think all recent mm products are from SLO not carolina .. ?

 

[AdrianDeBlk]

"If fret buzz occurs from the open to the fifth fret, the neck needs more relief. If it buzzes between the 5th fret and the 12th fret, the neck needs to be straighter (turn the wheel slightly clockwise). If it occurs all over the neck, the string height need to increase (by turning the trussrod wheel slightly counter-clockwise)."

I'm thinking the last one may apply to me. I'm not sure if this is real fret buzz though, or just a really sensitive pickup (I can tell that the strings are super slinky as well, and the FAQ confirms this). Either way, is the switch to the SMD-4 (Seymour-Duncan) Basslines pickup a good move here, in the sense of an upgrade? Checking the relief, the "business card" rule seems to be in order save maybe a +/- .3 business card margin of error... if you get what I mean. So I'm pretty certain the neck is set well.

From what I've told you guys... especially about the high EQ really picking up this metallic sound... would you say fret buzz or pickup troubles? I'd be happy to get the SMD-4, whereas if this is buzz, I feel like it's going to be really difficult to eliminate, especially on the super slinky strings (which is unfortunate if I have to switch to flats, because super slinky has always been my favorite for my Spector, or my PRS guitar even).

 

[tkarter]

Adrian you will need to check the string height from the pickup poles to the bottom of the strings and set the pickup according to the faq page.

As for upgrading pickups. My opinion is there is no need to upgrade anything EB builds. It comes as playable and outstanding as can be from SLO.

Low strings tend to make fret noise when played hard with lots of highs.

Flatwound strings will end some of that but not all.

HTH

tk

 

[bovinehost]

Either way, is the switch to the SMD-4 (Seymour-Duncan) Basslines pickup a good move here, in the sense of an upgrade?

I've talked to a lot of guys who switched to the Duncans and then, sooner or later, switched back.

 

[AdrianDeBlk]

I've talked to a lot of guys who switched to the Duncans and then, sooner or later, switched back.

Did they give you a good reason? Just preference to the familiar, or some oddities/issues with the new pickup?