Fret Buzz , 1st fret, E and A strings?

[Sijjvra]

I noticed my Ibanez ATK300, a pretty new bass I just got a few weeks ago, has a pretty significant first fret buzz on the E and slightly lesser on the A. In fact the A doesn't really bother me at all since it doesn't come through my amp, but wow...that E does.

I've adjusted the action, and it's not the action, as the E still buzzes there no matter where I have the action at. I'm assuming that because it's only the 1st fret and none of the others... it's not a neck adjustment issue (the neck has a nice, slight relief in it and the rest of the frets have no buzzing at all on any string).

I'm guessing that fret might be a little out of level on the E side? I've no idea how to begin to level frets properly, and I really don't want to screw up this bass since it sounds wonderful otherwise.

Should I take this in for a professional fret leveling or is there an easy way for dummies like me to tell if this is the issue, and fix it properly?

[dmusic148]

Does the buzz only happen on open strings? If you play F on the E string it goes away, or not?

[Sijjvra]

Nope, happens when fretting and when open. When holding F it's especially bad.

[dmusic148]

OK, well if you work your way up the fingerboard, is there a fret at which the buzz goes away?EDIT: yes I see you said 'none of the others.' Do you have a straightedge- slide it down the board and see if it 'crashes into' the first fret.

[two fingers]

If it's only a few weeks old, send/take it back to where you got it from. They should set it up. It sounds to me like there is one fret that is high on one side (the E A side). It probably needs to be filed down. but I'm just guessing based on what you have told us. Good luck!

[Sijjvra]

Would a ruler work for a straight edge? Or I assume anything that has a true straight edge to it?

[Sijjvra]

I can't exactly take it back... I bought it from a place in NY online you see and that's quite a haul from where I am. And really if I can get it fixed easily and locally, I'll do that and not complain too much.

If I send it back it'll cost 40+ dollars shipping and probably take a week, and I need it for practice this weekend!

[dystopiate]

Sounds like your neck is actually too straight. It most likely needs a little relief (i.e., loosen the truss rod a little bit). Because the E & A strings are thicker and generally lower tension, they have a bigger crest when you pluck them. This is why the lower pitch strings tend to buzz before the higher ones.

If you're not well versed already and choose to loosen the truss rod yourself, read a lot before starting. If you take it to someone, ask if you can watch and ask questions. It'll save you plenty of $ in the long-run if you can do your own basic adjustments.

Edit:
I re-read your post... Fret the 1st fret on the E with your index finger and place your right elbow against your highest fret on the E. Now tap the second fret on the E with your middle finger. Is there any tapping sound at all, or is the string flat against the second fret? How much space is between the string and the 12th fret? Enough for a credit card? Less?

Redo this on the G string.

Let us know your results and one of us can probably walk you through the rest.

[Sijjvra]

Actually giving a slight relief to the truss fixed the audible through amp buzzing, so I guess that was my problem after all. After reading that the thicker the string, the less tension and more vibration (especially since I tend to really wail on strings) I though "oh, duh...I guess that makes sense. I should see if I can adjust that first.

There is still a slight buzz BUT it doesn't come through the amp with a horrid rattle that makes me wince. I don't mind a faint bit of acoustic buzzing as I actually like the way it gives a nice snarl to my sound, so I'm happy now.

I will, however, keep the rest of this advice in mind in case the buzz returns or I ever have the issue on another bass.