Bass distorting

[munch62]

Hi guy's,

Here's my problem,I have an old STD Benavente bass bought used.After setting up the bass with new strings,intonation dead on, the bass has a distorted tone.This is noticeable unplugged.Also the strings oscillate oddly.

Thanks,
Jeff G

[Duckwater]

Acoustic distortion? Do want.

[Testing_123]

the bass has a distorted tone.This is noticeable unplugged.Also the strings oscillate oddly.

Do you mean the strings are buzzing/rattling? Try to pinpoint where the "distortion" is coming from -- follow the sound.

Some starting points:

• All good/stable with the nut? Strings fit securely in nut slots (but are not pinched by slots too narrow)?
• Bridge components anchored and stable? Do strings rattle at the bridge contact point, or perhaps string vibration is causing rattling of nearby components?
• Neck is stable?

Pics might be helpful.

[Bassdirty]

I saw a P bass that did that once.
I believe it was the truss rod(or part of it) somehow vibrating in the neck. when I hit certain notes hard enough.

Not sure what the fix is.

[scotch]

A defective string? Is it one string, multiple strings, does it only oscillate at one pitch?

Truss rod could also be the culprit, might need just a fraction of a turn...

[munch62]

The sound seems to be coming mostly from the fretboard/neck.Some notes worst than others.But also if you put your ear the the body of the bass you can hear how off it seems to sound.Even on some harmonics.Not a buzz or rattle.just a distorted tone.

thanks,
Jeff

[scotch]

Originally Posted by munch62

The sound seems to be coming mostly from the fretboard/neck.Some notes worst than others.But also if you put your ear the the body of the bass you can hear how off it seems to sound.Even on some harmonics.Not a buzz or rattle.just a distorted tone.

thanks,
Jeff

Sounds like the rod is vibrating. Try turning the truss rod ever so little to see if it stops (either direction).

[nonrappingJZ]

this idea came to me in the shower, for what that's worth. maybe the pickups are too close? that can cause some weirdness. my initial thought was a dead battery, but i don't know much about these basses.

JZ

[staindbass]

next time the strings are off the bass, hold it by one of its horns, or hang it with rope so its suspended. now, with your hand, slap the bass pretty hard. on the back of the neck, body, everywhere. if there is something buzzing or rattling the vibration of the wood should make it appear. it could be the truss rod washer or nut or rod itself, poorly seated nut, vibrating tuning gears , vibrating intonation adjustment springs, could be a metal shielding plate under the pickups (like old fenders) vibrating, could be one saddle has only one side of its 2 allen screws touching the bridge plate vibrating, and finally if you dont have string trees maybe not enough downward pressure on the nut. if thats the case wind more string on the post so the approach angle is lower. johnny a. staind

[alec]

Originally Posted by Testing_123

Pics might be helpful.

Video would be helpfuller

Originally Posted by staindbass

next time the strings are off the bass, hold it by one of its horns, or hang it with rope so its suspended. now, with your hand, slap the bass pretty hard. on the back of the neck, body, everywhere. if there is something buzzing or rattling the vibration of the wood should make it appear. it could be the truss rod washer or nut or rod itself, poorly seated nut, vibrating tuning gears , vibrating intonation adjustment springs, could be a metal shielding plate under the pickups (like old fenders) vibrating, could be one saddle has only one side of its 2 allen screws touching the bridge plate vibrating, and finally if you dont have string trees maybe not enough downward pressure on the nut. if thats the case wind more string on the post so the approach angle is lower. johnny a. staind

These are all good diagnoses, but if you take the strings off before giving it a good slap, you might get vibration from the the tuners or bridge. Just stuff a Tshirt or something under the strings and give it a whack, holding it by the headstock or horn.

Does it happen to all the strings, all the way up the neck?

[staindbass]

good point alec! i forgot about that

[maturanesa]

distorting when played unplugged?