Flats Buzzing

M0ses · #1 10-08-2009, 09:41 PM

I've just switched to flats because, well, I don't really like the round tone. I love the flat tone. Don't ask me why I didn't switch years ago.

The problem is, all of the sudden I am getting TONS of fret buzz, and buzz when I mute a note. The buzz on my rounds was very close to zero.
Unfortunately these strings are a slightly lighter gauge than my old rounds, and there is some wiggle room at the nut. Is this the problem? It seems that the string with the most extra room is also the buzziest. I shelled out a bunch for these strings....what's wrong with them?

REAPER52 · #2 10-08-2009, 09:58 PM

could be more then one thing or one of more things.setup . the nut . slot to big. what kind of strings are they. maybe the tension is less-like TI'swhich are low and that has changed you setup.....i dont know i just thought i would trow something out there.....

M0ses · #3 10-08-2009, 10:02 PM

They are TIs. Like I said, with my old rounds there was no buzzing at all. I guess I will have to raise the action at the bridge a bit? The slots for the ADG strings are too big - is that a big problem, would you recommend replacement of the nut? It does feel like the tension is lower with these strings. Do I just need to get used to them?

TimoMetzemakers · #4 10-09-2009, 02:26 AM

TI's have very low tension, so you'll need to loosen your truss rod a bit.

Check out http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bas...tupmanual.html

NortyFiner · #5 10-09-2009, 09:49 PM

Flats in general tend to have lower string tensions than rounds. Switching between the two almost always entails SOME kind of change in setup, so best to just get a full setup done (or do it yourself if you can) to cover all the bases in one go.

RickenBoogie · #6 10-10-2009, 04:10 PM

If you're not expirienced at doing set ups, I would strongly suggest you take it in to a competant luthier. Maybe you could get him to let you watch the procedure the first time around, so you can learn to do it yourself. It's not difficult, but can be tricky, because each step is inter-related with each other, and can get frustrating going back and forth. Worst case, you could actually snap a truss rod. In the long term, it's best to set up your own basses.

dmusic148 · #7 10-10-2009, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

The slots for the ADG strings are too big - is that a big problem, would you recommend replacement of the nut?

Maybe, and yes. But it would only cause buzzing on open strings. If you have buzzing on fretted notes, it's probably in need of a setup. In particular, the truss rod is probably too tight for the Ti's as they have rather low tension.