Fret buzz only at 12th fret

[chobbes]

Hi all,

I just received a new 24 fret bolt-on 5 string bass today and noticed there's massive fret buzz, but only at the 12th fret of the E and A strings. I did some searching around the forums and the rest of the internet, and tried some suggestions...

I tried raising the string height first, but I prefer low action. When that didn't work very well, I adjusted the truss rod to create more of an upbow. When that didn't work, I adjusted the truss rod to straighten out the neck. In all cases, the fret buzz is pretty much localized only at the 12th fret of the E and A strings. I can see the strings vibrate against the 13th fret.

Does this mean the 13th fret is too high? Is there anything else left to try? Thanks for the help.

[santucci218]

hit the 13th fret lightly with a hammer.

[Fretlessboy]

take a feeler guage and see of the 13th fret has un seated itself in the fingerboard. If it has, tap it back in as stated above but use a HARD NYLON head hammer. You want to re seat the fret not dent it.