Changed strings and now it s buzzes

Oldie but noobe · #1 12-17-2006, 09:40 AM

I just changed the strings on my new Geddy from stock Fender to MM Fatbeams. The Fatbeams are kind of floppy compared to the Fender strings. It is buzzing .

I would like to try to work it out with help from you here.
I like to tinker but I want to know the order of things instead of just chasing rabits.
I just use fingers now but I like dig in agressive I guess, but I want a low action.

Oldie but noobe · #2 12-17-2006, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Let the new strings settle in for a day or so (less if there is some need to rush on this), tuning it up once in a while.

Once it's settled in with the tension on the neck and the strings stretched, let's measure the relief (not adjust it yet). Do you know how to measure the relief?

Isn't it Roliads

Thanks Josh
I read about first fret and fret where neck joins the body. Then a credit card at half the distance. I just noticed that a few threads down.

I guess this will go on whenever I change string type

emils · #3 12-17-2006, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldie but noobe

Isn't it Roliads

Thanks Josh
I read about first fret and fret where neck joins the body. Then a credit card at half the distance. I just noticed that a few threads down.

I guess this will go on whenever I change string type

It is quite common to have to adjust relief after you change strings. The strings you just put on have lower tension then the ones you had on before and do not require the truss rod to work against their pull as much as it had to do with the old ones.

Do as Joshua said, let the neck setlle for a while, measure relief and then adjust it to your liking. I have about a bussines card thicknes of relief on my basses but you might preffer more.

pkr2 · #4 12-17-2006, 07:22 PM

Oldie, you can speed the process up a little if you'll give the strings a good firm pull away from the fingerboard after you tune up to standard pitch. This will kind of pre stretch the strings with no bad effects.

When the tuning hasn't dropped on an electronic tuner after an hour or so, there's not much point in waiting any longer. Playing the heck out of it will stretch and condition the strings a little faster, too. It also helps the strings seat into the nut slots.

Another step that will make a bass tune easier is to use a #2 lead pencil to blacken the nut and bridge slots. It lubes the slots and does away with the "jumpiness" as a string is brought up to pitch.

Pardon the intrusion, Josh, but I'm bored! LOL

Mrdak · #5 12-19-2006, 07:07 AM

Hi,

Hope you don't mind another suggestion, but if you like your action low, and you like to dig in as you mentioned, be sure to try a set of Dean Markley Blue steels... med light gauge. I thought I found the perfect string when I was using TI jazz rounds, but when I put the blue steels on, I was amazed at how great the tone was, with no extra buzz. Now I'm able to lower the action and still play hard if the need arises. I'm not talking about the NPS, but the SS regular blue steels. They just beg to be played hard. I hope you get the chance to try them.

As for the previous advise you got here, I agree; that's the best way to go about setting up a new set. IMO.
merry Xmas guys

and good luck

Oldie but noobe · #6 12-31-2006, 03:19 PM

I'm baaacck.

I did the card through the strings test just this afternoon. I had to loosen it up just a hair over a 1/4 turn to get a credit card between the strings and the 7th & 8th fret (Geddy Lee) .

So no more buzz but the strings are up much higher than I like. Im guessing the string height settings on the bridge is next, right? What is the deal on that?

Oldie but noobe · #7 12-31-2006, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennW

Just lower them until they start to buzz or feel too low for your liking, whichever comes first. You'll probably have to compromise somewhat to get a comfortable radius across all of them.

You might have to go back and make another relief adjustment, and you might not. Sometimes you have to sneak up on it.

The K.I.S.S. system

I like it thanks

Oldie but noobe · #8 01-01-2007, 05:10 PM

Hey Joshua

I jumped the gun and dropped the saddles already.
I will check the relief again.

I noticed the Fender link in the sticky gives an exact string hieght based on the neck radius. I don't know the neck radius on my Geddy. How do I get it?

emils · #9 01-02-2007, 01:48 PM

For radius templates go to this thread:
Radius Template

Joshua, you might want to add it to one of the stickies.

Oldie but noobe · #10 01-03-2007, 04:02 PM

It had changed. I guess because I was loosening the truss rod and the wood needed to catch up.

So I tightened it up some to straighten it out. I left a very little bow in it. The strings are nice and low without buzz. I hope it will stay the way it is now.

Thanks again for your help.

Bassic83 · #11 01-03-2007, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldie but noobe

It had changed. I guess because I was loosening the truss rod and the wood needed to catch up.

So I tightened it up some to straighten it out. I left a very little bow in it. The strings are nice and low without buzz. I hope it will stay the way it is now.

Thanks again for your help.

Give it a day or two...it'll settle out some more, I guarantee! I used to go to school in Toms River! Way back in 79-81...