Fender MIM Jazz Bass bridge buzz

[fraiture_fan]

hey guys..I have a 2008 Fender Deluxe Jazz Bass that I bought used, and after putting some Dean Marley Medium-Lights I noticed a slight buzz coming from the bridge when I played higher notes, such as the 9th fret on the E. I looked on the neck and it doesn't seem to be an action problem but I did notice that each string seemed to have different levels of action with the heights of the bridge saddles. anyone have any ideas on how I can eliminate or lessen this buzz? thanks.

[Rocky McD]

Sounds like you need a full, proper, set up, after checking neck straightness and fret levels. If you don't know how to setup properly, there are many good videos on YouTube.

[96tbird]

The saddles are supposed to be different heights following the curve of the fretboard. The rattling is the saddles hitting each other or not being level with the body (the height screws are not firmly planted on the plate). Does the plate have grooves for the saddle screws?. The problem with that type bridges is the clearance between saddles is too small. My personal solution is to adjust the saddles on slight angles so they solidly rest on each other. This is the only thing that seems to work short of grinding the saddles to open the gaps between them. If the plate is smooth, You can get the old style threaded saddles that when you align the strings over the poles, the E and G force the saddles together from the string spacing being wider than the tail plate holes.

[fraiture_fan]

the plate is smooth and the e string saddle I just noticed has a good gap from the A while the the A, D, and G saddles are bunched up next to each other

[96tbird]

Ok so you need to angle the E and G saddles SLIGHTLY down on the outside screws. This will add a little inward pressure so the saddles all touch. Best cure is to drop 15 bucks on vintage threaded saddles from Allparts or basspartsresource.com., etc. You will be able to align your strings right between the polepieces and they will pull all the saddles tightly together. Lots of comments on this forum about that.

[SurferJoe46]

I got my butt seriously kicked by some expert here when I suggested that same thing.

Just waiting to see if the same guy jumps your bones too.

FWIW: he's totally wrong and I don't have any bridge problems when I set my barrels that way. Good to see I'm in good company here. Thanks, 96.

[96tbird]

Now you have me all jumpy like! What was the expert's issue? A wee slight angle? You know, the only problem it could cause is the saddle rattling on the plate. Oh no! Irreversible damage! Yeesh. It works right?, end of story. No prob Joe.

[SurferJoe46]

He called me out on the actual tilting of the barrels - says it was somewhere between kicking your hunting dog and shooting your neighbor's bass boat tires.

I tilt all my barrels a little bit and I've never had any buzzes, clicks or pops and never had a string wander around over the p'up poles either.

I think he was just out to impress himself with his professional knowledge. My barrels are still tilted as much as I feel they should be,

[testing1two]

The reason you typically don't want the outside saddles uneven is twofold: first, because it puts uneven pressure on the saddle set screws and they can go out of adjustment while you play (you can address this with some clear nail polish or Loc-Tite on the set screw threads). Second, you want both set screws on each saddle to have solid contact with the base plate so the string vibration doesn't cause the saddle to rattle.

To the OP, your problem might be as simple as pushing down slightly on the strings just in front of where they touch the saddle (known as a witness point). This ensures the strings are sitting properly in the grooves of the saddles.

EDIT: No hunting dogs were harmed in the making of this post.

[96tbird]

Plain and clear. It works despite the fear mongering. We're talking a thread or two, not enough that there's no downforce on one of the screws. My G used to skid around the plate. Now it doesn't.

I'm gonna go kick a cat now and knife the neighbor's snowmobile trailer tires 'cause I'm a rube; a Canuck rube.

[fraiture_fan]

haha.thank you guys for all the suggestions...is the consensus.that I shouldnt try buying vintage saddles? I noticed the previous owner did have the e and g saddles tilting slightly..

[SurferJoe46]

Well - they aren't necessary if you're mechanically talented or want to keep things stock.

Not that I don't like the vintage barrels, I just don't find them totally necessary - but of course if you pull your strings down to the knobs when you play then my suggestion is out the window.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by SurferJoe46

...Not that I don't like the vintage barrels, I just don't find them totally necessary...

I have tended to like the contents of vintage barrels more than the barrels themselves.

But seriously, I would start with a good setup by a really professional tech. Then acquire the tools and info to tweak it and eventually do it all yourself.

[Growly Lytes]

Springs on the saddle screws may be rattling.