Strange La Bella/P Bass Issue

jasper383 · #1 09-20-2009, 04:49 AM

I recently put a new set of La Bella flats 43-104 on my Precision Bass, and am getting a buzzing on the D and G strings I have never experienced before.

From around the 3rd to the 7th fret on the D, and the 3rd to 10th fret on the G string, if I hit a note, the note is fine for about a second, then the string begins to rattle on the frets pretty seriously, almost fretting out sometimes. It really "sizzles", but again, only after about a second of ringing clearly. It's almost like the string sets up a resonance with the neck, and vibrates more after a second or so.

Raising the strings has maybe helped a little, and I don't want to get the strings way up off the board. I have the D and G strings set up for 2.5mm, maybe a little more at the 12th fret, with the first fret down. No issues with the E and A strings. I don't think it's the magnetic pull from the pickups.

I have loosened the strings and backed them away from the bridge a couple times and made sure they aren't twisted.

Any advice?

bassie12 · #2 09-20-2009, 04:57 AM

You might need to loosen the truss rod a bit.... or just wait till the strings get over their initial "liveliness". It usually takes new flats a while to settle down.

DavePlaysBass · #3 09-20-2009, 08:42 AM

Check relief. Given the wide fret range of rattle that you describe, the strings may need to be raised (but check the relief first). The D in that set is a 60, which needs room to breathe. In my experience a 60 D can be the most difficult to get buzz free particularly with the large A and E. And the G is pretty loose for the corresponding 104 E.

Go to the setup area on this forum if you are not famaliar with measuring relief, adjusting truss rod, and setting saddle heights.

jasper383 · #4 09-20-2009, 10:15 AM

This is the 760FL set that I hoped would give the "fat flat" sound without hand busting tension.

I like the set feel and soudwise, but this D string is a bit of an outlier. I like the strings to slope down from about an E at 3mm (with first fret down), down to 2.5mm or so at the G, but with this set it looks like I may have the D as high as the A.

The relief is set to Fender's specs (which on my other basses is plenty).

J. Crawford · #5 09-20-2009, 10:17 AM

I had this same problem, and one of my strings was on wrong, around the tuning peg.

Not insulting your intelligence, but did you check this?

jasper383 · #6 09-20-2009, 10:42 AM

They look okay to me.

What do you mean by "wrong"?

J. Crawford · #7 09-20-2009, 10:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

They look okay to me.

What do you mean by "wrong"?

I did them myself, and then a tech told me they were wrapped wrong. Whatever he did fixed them.

I think I had them overlapping incorrectly past the nut.

hbarcat · #8 09-20-2009, 11:22 AM

If the overall tension or the tension from string to string is different than on your previous set then this will necessarily change your neck relief and you will have to do a new setup. String buzzing is a very common problem when changing to a different string set and the only solution is to do a whole new setup (adjust neck relief, string height, intonation, etc.).

DavePlaysBass · #9 09-20-2009, 03:37 PM

Buzzing down low typically means too little relief. Buzzing up high typically means too much relief. Buzzing across the whole string typically means too low of saddle height. When you say 3rd to 10th, that sounds like a string that is too low. Of course loosening the trussrod will have the effect of raising the action which may fix your problem. But your best bet is to do a complete setup or find someone who can.

jasper383 · #10 09-20-2009, 07:50 PM

What's weird about this is the string rings fine for about a second, then starts buzzing. Usually the buzzing starts sooner, in my experience.

I loosened the truss rod about 1/16th turn, and it has helped. I'll give the strings a couple more days to settle in.

DavePlaysBass · #11 09-20-2009, 07:59 PM

IME, that is a sign of typical fret buzz that is on the cusp. Quick notes are fine, but long notes buzz.

seanm · #12 09-20-2009, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jasper383

This is the 760FL set that I hoped would give the "fat flat" sound without hand busting tension.

I like the set feel and soudwise, but this D string is a bit of an outlier. I like the strings to slope down from about an E at 3mm (with first fret down), down to 2.5mm or so at the G, but with this set it looks like I may have the D as high as the A.

The relief is set to Fender's specs (which on my other basses is plenty).

What is the action if you don't hold down the first fret? Why do you hold the first fret down? It's not a problem, it will give a lower measurement that normal, just curious.

Can't really think why you would have a problem with D and G, assuming the relief is good, the action is on the heavy side of medium.

I have the saddle for the D basically the same height as the A.

king_biscuit · #13 09-20-2009, 08:21 PM

Before you start adjusting your bass, try a different string. I've had more defective La Bella flats than any other string. I also had the same problem you are experiencing on the d string and a replacement string was the cure.