Sunbeam Buzzzzz

eggfart1 · #1 09-20-2011, 01:21 PM

Just put some Sunbeams on my Fender 62 P-bass. So far I'm getting some really insane buzz on the open a string and some clacking on the low E. d and g are fine. The strings I had on before were D'addario Nickel's but the A and E were thinner in gauge (80-100), and I put on some 85-105'....will the buzzing go away after a few days? I find that if I only my finger over the nut on the A string the buzzing goes away. Something weird going on by the nut.

gjbassist · #2 09-20-2011, 01:26 PM

What's a Bunbeam?

It is a good idea to do a setup after a string change. Also check and see if the strings are properly seated in the nut.

stflbn · #3 09-20-2011, 01:28 PM

Sunbeams usually have less tension than other strings. I expect the neck straighted out some and the action is now a tad to low for how you play.

eggfart1 · #4 09-20-2011, 01:34 PM

So I'd have to add a bit more relief to the neck?

PDGood · #5 09-20-2011, 01:38 PM

The A string on a Fender bass doesn't have as much angle as the other strings on the side of the nut going to the tuners. Make sure you wind your strings so that the last turn is at the lowest point on the post.

Jay2U · #6 09-20-2011, 01:38 PM

Are you sure you didn't buy Buzzbeams?

eggfart1 · #7 09-20-2011, 01:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PDGood

The A string on a Fender bass doesn't have as much angle as the other strings on the side of the nut going to the tuners. Make sure you wind your strings so that the last turn is at the lowest point on the post.

Thanks man!!! That solved it!!

eggfart1 · #8 09-20-2011, 04:14 PM

Errr...I typed too soon. Back to buzzing. I put the D'addario's back on and I even preferred the sound an feel and no more buzzing. What a waste of money. 17 bucks sounded and worked better than 33.

tsverrir · #9 09-20-2011, 04:32 PM

Loosen up the truss rod a bit. That should solve it. Of course you should do a full setup (truss rod, action, internal tuning) when switching to a different set of strings.

MarTONEbass · #10 09-20-2011, 04:54 PM

You gave up too easily...that bass needs a setup with the new strings as others have stated.

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 09-20-2011, 05:25 PM

Open A String?

Problem is the angle of the string going from the Nut to the Tuner... There is not enough angle... You need to get the windings all the way down the tuning post to the just up against the headstock face in order to get a good angle...

This is very common with P-Basses... Loosen the string, push down on the windings around the post as far down as you can, tighten while pressing down on the windings... you should then be golden

This is a problem with ALL strings, its just the design of the bass... Here is my 63P with LaBella Jamersons... Gives you an idea of the angle and how much wrapping I leave on there for this specific reason... (only trimmed off about 1.5" of extra length from the E string, everything else is as is from the package did not cut... Could have cut off an extra 1" from the E and 1" from the A and been fine too...

eggfart1 · #12 09-20-2011, 09:15 PM

Wow, you are a god. That was the ultimate reply ever.

SLaPiNFuNK · #13 09-20-2011, 09:44 PM

Most importantly, did this fix your problem?

eggfart1 · #14 09-20-2011, 10:35 PM

I'm an idiot and cut the string a bit too short for the A...I did push it down quite a bit which took away about 90 percent of the buzz. Thanks, you're a wonder worker and I'm a fool!!!!

SLaPiNFuNK · #15 09-21-2011, 12:38 AM

You are no fool at all... This is VERY common among P-Bass owners (and other basses with similar designs)... Don't worry about it

mcnach · #16 09-21-2011, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eggfart1

Just put some Sunbeams on my Fender 62 P-bass. So far I'm getting some really insane buzz on the open a string and some clacking on the low E. d and g are fine. The strings I had on before were D'addario Nickel's but the A and E were thinner in gauge (80-100), and I put on some 85-105'....will the buzzing go away after a few days? I find that if I only my finger over the nut on the A string the buzzing goes away. Something weird going on by the nut.

Just set up that bass for those strings...
Set up, set up, set up...

And bonus points :-) to the porter who talked about putting enough turns around the tunes to allow the string to come out from below, with a more acute angle. I also made the mistake of cutting a string too short (g string on a Stingray) once... but once you twig, you will never forget :-)

mmbongo · #17 09-21-2011, 07:03 AM

Here's how you fix the A string break angle problem:

Hipshot 3 string retainer. $11. Why Fender does not do this from the factory I don't know. I guess because these weren't available in 1950 and Fender won't update the design.

JTE · #18 09-21-2011, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Why Fender does not do this from the factory I don't know. I guess because these weren't available in 1950 and Fender won't update the design.

Or because if you wind the string correctly there's no problem. Or because legions of Fender fans would find 'em unsightly. Or because they've got a solution in tuning machine bushing they have on the 60th Anniversary Precision. Note the little extra tab on the A string tuning machine.

John

mmbongo · #19 09-21-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JTE

Or because if you wind the string correctly there's no problem. Or because legions of Fender fans would find 'em unsightly.

John

When you buy a Fender you waive your right to determine whether or not anything is 'unsightly'

eggfart1 · #20 09-21-2011, 01:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mmbongo

Here's how you fix the A string break angle problem:

Hipshot 3 string retainer. $11. Why Fender does not do this from the factory I don't know. I guess because these weren't available in 1950 and Fender won't update the design.

Cheers, do you think it's a tricky installation?