Buzz on the open A string

[jmceachern36]

One of my students just got an Epiphone Viola bass from Santa and the open A string is buzzing. It's fine when fretted. I can't figure out what is causing it. Any suggestions as to what might be causing the problem? It has a zero fret.

[Slowgypsy]

On the A string... open has a buzz but goes away from 1st fret on. Is that correct? Could be that zero fret is a tad too low.

[dogofgod]

Could it be the nut? There is a small indentation in the nut of my bass that is just enough to give me a little fret buzz. It's more prevalent if I am holding the open string out.

I am getting it fixed in a couple of weeks.

[jmceachern36]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

On the A string... open has a buzz but goes away from 1st fret on. Is that correct? Could be that zero fret is a tad too low.

Yes correct. Could be. It doesn't look low though. Hope that's not the problem because I can't fix that.... I'm wondering if the nut isn't low enough and the string isn't on the zero fret firmly.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

Yes correct. Could be. It doesn't look low though. Hope that's not the problem because I can't fix that.... I'm wondering if the nut isn't low enough and the string isn't on the zero fret firmly.

Could be. Look closely at it. Play the open A, then fret the zero fret. If the buzz goes away, the nut slots are the problem, as the buzz was coming from the zero fret. If the buzz doesn't go away, the zero fret is the problem causing the buzz from the 1st fret.

[Frankjohnson]

OR......

not enough downward wraps of the string on the tuner post?

[PJSShearer]

Originally Posted by Frankjohnson

OR......

not enough downward wraps of the string on the tuner post?

Apply pressure on the string behind the nut - if the buzz goes away, then that's the issue.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Apply pressure on the string behind the nut - if the buzz goes away, then that's the issue.

This is a bass with a zero fret, and if memory serves me right the headstock is angled. What that means is... downward wraps are less important for downward pressure. The nut on this bass serves only as a string guide.

[jmceachern36]

Originally Posted by PJSShearer

Apply pressure on the string behind the nut - if the buzz goes away, then that's the issue.

This I tried already and it wasn't the problem, but I appreciate the input. One thing I forgot to say was when I put my finger on the zero fret the buzz goes away. Slowgypsy, Is this what you were refering to? Fretting the zero fret? I was thinking about filing the nut at the A so the string has better contact with the zero fret.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by jmceachern36

This I tried already and it wasn't the problem, but I appreciate the input. One thing I forgot to say was when I put my finger on the zero fret the buzz goes away. Slowgypsy, Is this what you were refering to? Fretting the zero fret? I was thinking about filing the nut at the A so the string has better contact with the zero fret.

Okay... you've located the source of the buzz, which is the zero fret. And that's being caused, most likely, by the nut slot not being cut deep enough. On a zero fret instrument the nut slots only serve as string guides... the bottom of the slots should NOT engage the string. So the solution is to make the A string nut slot deeper.

[jmceachern36]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

So the solution is to make the A string nut slot deeper.

Ok I will do this. Thanks for the advise.

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

On the A string... open has a buzz but goes away from 1st fret on. Is that correct? Could be that zero fret is a tad too low.

Or the "(#) one fret" is a little too high.

[Slowgypsy]

Originally Posted by PhatBasstard

Or the "(#) one fret" is a little too high.

The OP has stated that when he presses down on the zero fret the buzz goes away. That would indicate that the "(#) one fret" is not the source of the buzz.

[plangentmusic]

Nut's cut too low.

[Labi]

Originally Posted by plangentmusic

Nut's cut too low.

Once again: it has a zero fret!

[PhatBasstard]

Originally Posted by Slowgypsy

The OP has stated that when he presses down on the zero fret the buzz goes away. That would indicate that the "(#) one fret" is not the source of the buzz.

True. Sorry. I'm not awake yet.