Buzz from the E String on a Fretless Bass

Jake Kobrin · #1 08-03-2010, 04:27 PM

I put some new Rotowound strings on my fretless bass (squire vintage modified jazz) a few days ago. They sound, feel, and look EXCELLENT... but there is one problem, that I was hoping you could help me with. On the E string, it keeps rattling, instead of a nice clean tone. It is only the E that I have this problem for. I thought it may have been hitting the fretboard near the headstock, but it continues to rattle even on the mid\higher frets as well. It could perhaps be a problem with the string pot (I think it's called?) or the bridge. Either way, do you know how I could fix it?

Thank you,

Jake

paulygonemad · #2 08-03-2010, 04:30 PM

If you push with your finger on the string just behind the nut, does it go away?

Jake Kobrin · #3 08-03-2010, 04:39 PM

knuckle_head · #4 08-03-2010, 10:20 PM

What are your gauges?

Jake Kobrin · #5 08-03-2010, 10:34 PM

Rotosound RB45 Nickel (Unsilked) Bass Guitar Strings (45 65 85 105)

knuckle_head · #6 08-04-2010, 08:13 AM

Your E string has 5 or 6 less pounds of tension on it than your .085 - it will move more (and rattle more) than the rest of your set.

By my estimation, in order to get similar pull you'd want a .112 or so.

As you aren't likely to get a new/single E string the only way to fix it is to set it up higher at the bridge than the rest of the strings.