Fret Buzz

[SWR_n_EB]

alright, i have been off the forum for a long time, and i have been palying and loving the bass more and more, and the more i paly, the better i get, the more i notice the ltitle things. Just recently, i noticed that i am geting a buttload of buzz. Especailly on the E string.

I was woudnering, if this was due to the fact i have old strings, or that i have a bad setup.

Also, i know topic has been aroudn the block many times, beaten into the ground, but how should i find a middle ground to setup my bass. Like, a reset button, and then adjust from there, because over the year or so i've had my bass, there has been a lot of tweeking, and what not. I think the bass is getting older, and is also getting worn in.

i also think that another reason i have a lot of fret buzz, i because of the change in weather. I adjusted it last in the summer. but the bass usually stays in consitent temps and humidities.

Help neone, or direction to a link, thnx u guys!

Good to be back! cuz i remebered my pword the otehr day

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The way I see it (my opinion only).

There’s no dial-in string height nor truss rod setting that will be the same for everyone. The instrument has to be adjusted to suit your own playing style.

Make adjustments in the play position so gravity doesn’t enter the equation. The best way is to be seated with the instrument on your lap.

Adjust the truss rod to get the neck as straight as you can. Turn the truss wheel (capstan) clockwise (as you look from the heel of the neck towards the headstock). Use the shaft of a small screw driver in the capstan wheel holes. To be on the safe side, loosen the strings between each adjustment and retune to pitch. Use a finger of your fretting hand and depress the E string at the first fret. While doing this, use the thumb of your right hand and depress the E at the 12th fret in such a way that the middle finger of that hand is pointing towards the first fret and use that finger to depress the string at the 5th or 6th fret. Aim for a paper thickness gap (or even less) between the top of the fret and bottom of the string at that point. That’s the starting point for the neck. It may need finer adjustment latter.

For a comfortable feel of the strings, their height should reflect the radius of the neck. At the 17th fret, measure the height of each string between the top of the fret and the bottom of the string. Don’t depress the first fret for this measurement. Using a 6 inch steel rule, aim for 3/32 inches on all strings consistent with no fret buzz and comfortable height. Depending on your playing style, you may be able to set them lower or may need to set them higher. Tune to pitch and check the strings all up and down the neck.

If you find the strings buzz at the first few frets only, begin adding relief to the neck by turning the truss wheel, in small amounts, counter clockwise until the buzzing goes away. There’s no need to loosen the strings for this adjustment (you’re loosening the tension). That is your truss adjustment.

I usually like my strings (on the G side) slightly lower than the preceding ones. After setting all strings to the same height, I lower the G ¼ turn and lower the in-between (A and D) strings down proportionately to meet the G.

If you feel excessive resistance on the truss wheel, don’t proceed any further as you could permanently damage the truss rod. Take it to a tech.

After adjusting your action you should readjust the pickup. While depressing the E string at the last fret, measure the distance from the bottom of that string to the top of the pickup magnet for that string. Adjust for a distance of 4/32 inches. Do the same with the G string but, this time, aim for a distance of 3/32 inches. Final adjustment may have to be made to the G side by ear, so that the volume is even across all strings.

After you’ve done the set-up, small adjustments to the truss rod can be done latter, either counter clockwise or clockwise without loosening the strings. You’ll find this necessary during seasonal changes throughout the year.

Generally, if the strings buzz only at the first 4 or 5 frets then neck is too straight for your playing style. If it only occurs past the 12th fret then you have too much relief (bow) in the neck. If you find the strings buzz all up and down the neck, then the relief is ok but the strings are set too low.

 

[Fretbuzz]

That'll do!!

 

[SWR_n_EB]

rod=god

plain and simple.

I thought i might also add here, that i have a workingman's 15, and played a new one. and now i hate my amp. ill explain later....

 

[SWR_n_EB]

i know i've probably said this beofre, but. i just adjusted everything. i have to say it miles lower, and rarely buzz. ill prolly go a touch higher.

I find myself very concerned what is wrong with my bass. Eversince i got it i've had this problem, i get fret buz exclusivly on the 6th fret. E and A string. Thats it. Worse on the E and a touch on teh A. Not even enuff to get it, unless i accent the note preetyt heavily. The 6th fret on the E (A#). This is really weird. THe only way i can eliminate it, is if i raise the action a lot. i have to have liek a credit card hieght at the 6th fret when i push the 12th and first down. Its quite frustrating.

my buddy informed me that i could have a fret that's a bit to high. I figured ht longer i played it, maybe it might just happen to go down. It didn't..... Im willing to take my bass in, but i was woundering what u all think? beofore i spend money.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>>i get fret buz exclusivly on the 6th fret

My guess is that the fret in front (the 7th fret) is a touch higher than the preceding fret. When you depress in the 6th position and pluck the string, it's vibration is hitting the 7th. It's not unusual for it to be a bit high on one side and ok for the D and G strings.

Take a 6 inch steel ruler and use it as a straight edge. Place it edge-on over the the 7th fret, up against the string, to check if it will rock up and down on the 6th and 8th fret in turn.

Do this by holding the end of it between your first finger and thumb and rest the end of the rule on the 6th fret. With the other hand, do likewise, so your first finger and thumb are holding the rule at the position directly above the 8th fret. Using light pressure, see if the rule rocks up and down over the 7th, hitting the frets, either side, in turn.

If that's the prob then you'll know exactly what's wrong. You'll have to get a luthier to level the fret. Some do it themselves but unless you know what you're doing, I'd leave it to a professional. I'd demonstrate you findings (if any) to the luthier so there's misunderstandings. I had a hell of a time trying to convince 2 luthiers that I had a high fret. It was finally fixed when I demonstrated to the third luthier. In fairness though, the fret was high directly under the string.

 

[SWR_n_EB]

check this, so i i play the 6th fret, it buzzes, but i feels like it's buzzing at aroud nthe 3rd fret. Hear my out here, like if i pluck the string, mutting the up section of the string it doesnt make this kinda sound. THe let go, what do u know the sound is there again. I think that the 4th fret might be to high....this is strange...

I put a small protractor (smallest ruler i have that i can find ) and it didn't rock over any of the frets... BUt when i put it over frets 2-5. so 2nd -5th actual fret, bar. It notice a small gap over 3 and 4. This again is wierd. if i use a 12 inch ruler, it seems to bridge over 1-7. I dunno how normal this is.

Damn it, this is lame. If i can onyl get no buzz with high action, this bass i gunna have to go. Its obsered. I spent a grand on this bass to not have the problems. U ppl can understand my frustration.

= me now

what i hope to be=

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

The way I see it....to check for a high fret...you go one fret at a time...use the small straight edge over the suspected fret to see if it rocks up and down on the frets either side of the suspect fret.

If you bring more frets into the equation, at the same time, then you're starting to look at the relief of the neck....the small gap you're talking about?

Now, if you're fretting the 6th fret, then IMO the only place you can get your fret buzz is further up along the string....heading in the direction of the pickup. OR are you saying you get buzz around the 3rd fret playing the string open (unfretted)?

If you say that you think the buzz is at around the 3rd (and you're fretting the 6th) then it must be some form of vibration.

Put a small rag underneath the strings (on the fret board). Hold the Bass up with your hand around the top of the neck in the area of the nut. Keep the body off the floor. Perhaps tap the back of the neck and body with your other hand and listen for rattles.

Let me know.

 

[SWR_n_EB]

If you say that you think the buzz is at around the 3rd (and you're fretting the 6th) then it must be some form of vibration.

Thats exactly what i am talking about, and the part that confuses me, is that its more of a high pitch sound, sorta like a buzz with a twang in it. Its really strange. I wanna take a picture to show u. Or an audio clip to explain it better. i did what u suggested. but the sound is not there(as i expected). If u can imagine. Play the a# on the E, with ur middle finger, and while playing the string palce ur pointer finger on the 3rd fret. This is what i do and hte sound goes away. I pull up the finger, and magically the sound reappears. THe only fret it really comes close to, is the 4th fret. but, do i make sense to you? Im hoping for feedback from an employ, what they reccomend, but Rod seems to be doing a great job in diagnosing my bass with a birth defect.

Peace

PS, THnx Rod, ur a real help!

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I can understand what you're saying there.

Have you fitted new strings yet?

Are the strings seated in the nut?

Have the strings been wound with a down-wrap on the tuners?

The strings are the correct length...the metal wrap passes over the nut....not just the coloured silk passing over the nut?

No crack in the nut?

Send (or paste here) a clear close-up picture of the problem area and perhaps one also of the nut.

 

[bovinehost]

I'm with Rod - inasmuch as I can understand what the owner is saying about the problem and I can read between the lines of what Rod's asking, it sounds like a problem with either:

1. string
2. break angle over the nut
3. wrap angle on the tuning post or
4. some kind of combination.

 

[SWR_n_EB]

ok, ive changed the strings close to 4-5 times since i've had the bass. That's not the problem. I wrap usually 3 time around the machine head. I also check to see if its seated correctly. Seems perfect. But that brings up to antoehr idea. Perhaps its just low on the E part of the nunt. That would make a lot of sense.... I mean, it would fix this problem, plus explain the action deal. Hmm....Also i thoiught i should mention, its while playing the 6th fret that the string gap from the 6th to the nut becomes the lowest. Its got a good amount of gap while playing at 1-5 and 7-the rest. Maybe its the nut being a little low.

I'd take a picture, but honest to god, i cant see it making a difference, becuase its more of an audio thing that u;d have to hear.

Back to the nut, if this is the problem, how much would it cost to fix it, because im not educated enuff in bass to make this kidna of a fix.

***EDIT***
To makes ur lives a little more confusing. When i play in drop D, i get minor fret buzz(as expected with standard setup up or E with alow D) but its normal fret buzz, not this tangy kind. And it doesn't come from close to the neck of the note im playing(like the 3-4 area when i play on the 6th fret.

Hope this helps....

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Are you using a hip shot to lower the E to D???

Re the nut....

Perhaps the problem.

If you depress the E string at the 3rd fret, there should be a gap between the top of the first fret and the bottom of the string at that point.

Michael Tobias suggests .010" to .012" gap. Perhaps others have different opinions as to the measurement, but the point is that there should be a gap.

Last nut replacement cost me $20 (AUSD)....perhaps $30 (USD)?

 

[SWR_n_EB]

theres a gap, but a very small gap, if i press on the 3rd fret. Im trying everything, still not going away..

EB, this is super lame wtf, i buy a 1k bass brand new, so i dont run into these things. its been like this since day one, and thanks to some genious' idea to wait and it may go away, ill probably have to spend my own money to fix this. this is crap.

RIDICULOUS..


I recive more service from Rod and Bovine, honestly...It'd be nice to get some decent feed back from and e-mail, not just "u need to re-adjust" and "this sounds like user error"

In all seriousness, i can emphisize how much help Rod has been. Its been getting me closer, but im still not there yet.

 

[bovinehost]

With every bass, there is the possibility that adjustment or SLIGHT repair might be necessary. Basses are made of wood, which can experience changes with humidity, temperature, etc. The possibility that your bass is screwed up is small, but it's there. I don't think the mods read every thread religiously, so you should get on the phone and call Jon at EB.

I have had the pleasure to talk to him, and I promise you that he WILL get your problem fixed, one way or the other. Both Rod and I are attempting to diagnosis a bass we can't see, and that is sometimes impossible. It may be something as simple as building up the nut a bit on the E string - or it may not be that simple.

In any case, I urge you to call Jon at 1-866-823-2255. It's toll free, doesn't cost you a thing and I know you'll hang up feeling better about how EB will take care of you.

What do you say?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

I agree with Bovie....Jon will assist....guaranteed!

 

[SWR_n_EB]

alright, sounds good, but ive sent e-mails, that was my main point. all i got was that someone else could help. I was being sent for a loop, nto a pleasing experience, Ill tell u what, when i get sometime, ill call him up, and take on on this bet. Im telling u, i was agitated, but i am hesitant to call, cuz i hate waiting o nthe phone for a really long time. Plus being a little young, i ppl dont tkae me serious, plus i dont sound my age. So im thought of as a pompou 16 year old with a ncie bass he doesn't deserve. I worked my ass off for this bass, this is why i lvoe it so

if u care, im 18. still 2 years, but can all vouch, 2 years in teenage is the difference betwee na senior and a sophmore...

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

Did you contact Jon at company Ball???