Abnormal fret buzz...

Zoner401 · #1 10-20-2011, 06:16 PM

Ok i need some help. So I'm pretty confident in setting up my bass. I have been doing it for years. I have a double truss rod in my bass and the set up is pretty nice especially because she is in tune up and down and the action is wonderful! One exception though- whenever I play a chord in fifth position or higher I get a buzz somewhere between fret 1 and 5 and ONLY on the A string. To make things more difficult, This only happens when I am playing a note or arpeggios and my fretting hand is positioned across the board touching more than just the A string. If I'm on the A string alone, no problem. Also, the buzz comes on the same string (a string) that the note is being played on higher up, but the buzz only occurs on the opposite side of the fretting finger that the pitched note occurs. Hopefully this makes sense! Any thoughts?

If need be I can take a picture to illustrate

Thanks!

slaphappychappy · #2 10-20-2011, 06:48 PM

Technique?

Zoner401 · #3 10-20-2011, 07:26 PM

It's not technique. I can literally have my left hand in a position not playing and the A string is touching frets on the lower portion of the neck towards the nut. Its almost like just one or two combinations or positions magically throws my neck out of whack... Ok it's an exaggeration but seriously it's truthfully weird. Honestly he buzz is not a big deal because it only happens on the a string and only in a few positions. It is also only audible when I practice unplugged. It's more annoying for me than anything.

96tbird · #4 10-20-2011, 08:42 PM

Sounds to me like a sympathetic ring of the A behind your hand. The cause is likely the nut is just a tiny and I mean tiny bit low on the A. Experiment to prove or disprove, place a piece of aluminum foil in the a slot and see. Repeat and see.

New nut or a little more relief.

slaphappychappy · #5 10-20-2011, 11:32 PM

If u can't hear it through the amp, I would worry. Unless, like me you are ocd about your bass, lol.