Hello

I've been playing bass for 6 years now. I started on an upright from my high school and I never had any real problems with it, but now I'm off at school studying music and my upright that I purchased has a few kinks in it. When I play the open A string pizz it buzzes but not when I use arco. It buzzes on the A string when I play Bb and B natural too, but not C. Also when I hit A on the E string it buzzes slightly as well. But the only open string that sounds buzzy is the A string. Please help

-Anthony

Time fera fingerboard dressing.

Time fera fingerboard dressing.

+1

You need to have the fingerboard planed. If you have a bevel on the E side, you might look into getting that shaved off at the same time thus rounding the whole board. Just a preference though, I'm not a fan of those pesky bevels..

If the A string "buzzes" when played open, could it be that the problem is not the fingerboard?

You might also look at the bridge. I occasionally have an open A string buzz, not loud but just a faint background buzz. It's hard to tell where it's coming from, but I found out after much experimentation that it was caused by some sawdust under the E side foot of the bridge.

+1

You need to have the fingerboard planed. If you have a bevel on the E side, you might look into getting that shaved off at the same time thus rounding the whole board. Just a preference though, I'm not a fan of those pesky bevels..

Hey cut that out! Bevels are pretty nice to play as long as the point is rounded off.

The only thing I don't like about a bevelled board is that the bevel sometimes decides the string spacing for me. If the E and A strings have to be >there<, then I can't change the spacing at the nut as I'd like. Grrr...

http://doublebassworkshop.com/double-bass-care-guidelines-articles-35

Buzzing sounds from your instrument;

Buzzing may be caused by a variety of problems. Open seams, incorrectly cut nut or bridge, cheap endpin, damaged strings and cracks are typical culprits. More severe problems could include loose bass bar, loose cleats or other internal parts that have become loose. This may require removal of the top. Consult your luthier.

http://doublebassworkshop.com/double-bass-care-guidelines-articles-35

Buzzing sounds from your instrument;

Buzzing may be caused by a variety of problems. Open seams, incorrectly cut nut or bridge, cheap endpin, damaged strings and cracks are typical culprits. More severe problems could include loose bass bar, loose cleats or other internal parts that have become loose. This may require removal of the top. Consult your luthier.

Did I mention the sound post? I've got a buzzing open "A" and am thinking the sound post might be the cause... Will post more later after I've tested this thesis.