fret buzz on open a?

Uribam · #1 07-09-2009, 03:03 AM

I'm sure this is posted, but I did do a search and saw nothing for open a. I'm sure this is a setup problem but I have no problems with buzz on any other string or fret and not even the a string on any other fret. If this was covered and I misread I'm sorry for posting but what course of action should I follow? I don't think raising the saddle is an option however it may be I suppose. Maybe lowering a fret? It's fine for all other frets, just open buzzes. I'm unhappy!

Scott

ManuBerdin · #2 07-09-2009, 03:10 AM

Hi , can you tell me what is the bass ? It's important to know it ...

Uribam · #3 07-09-2009, 03:11 AM

peavey g-bass. USA made only for one or two years, I don't think the year matters much for these ones.

electracoyote · #4 07-09-2009, 03:17 AM

If it's only one string, and it's only on the open string and not on any of the fretted notes, my intial gut reaction is the nut groove is too deep and the buzz is coming from fret 1. Only way to know for sure is to take it to a qualified guitar/bass tech. If it is the nut groove, the solution is a simple build-up and re-file of the slot, or a new nut.

Also, there is a possibility that too much relief has been taken out of the neck, and some relief needs to be put back, but this would more than likely affect more than one string.

ManuBerdin · #5 07-09-2009, 03:23 AM

I 've got another idea , on flathead type neck ( like Fenders )
you have to leave enough string on the post ( only on A string ) to press down the string on the nut , if not the string can " buzz" in the nut slot when played open ... just check it by playing the string while pressing it in the nut slot with your left hand...

electracoyote · #6 07-09-2009, 03:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ManuBerdin

I 've got another idea , on flathead type neck ( like Fenders )
you have to leave enough string on the post ( only on A string ) to press down the string on the nut , if not the string can " buzz" in the nut slot when played open ... just check it by playing the string while pressing it in the nut slot with your left hand...

+1

I should have been more thorough in my suspicions about the nut slot. If the string doesn't break correctly over the slot, it may buzz. And if the slot is too wide, it may buzz.

Be sure the string angles downward toward the headstock after it breaks over the nut. If the string is wound low on the tuning peg, this should be the case. If not, you may need a string tree over the A, or the slot may be filed without the proper angle. And wiggle it in the slot to see if it can be visibly shifted left and right in the slot, indicating the slot is too wide. If you have any of these "nut slot issues," you'll need to have a tech help you correct it.

Uribam · #7 07-09-2009, 03:43 AM

Yeah I doubt it's a relief issue. These G-Bass necks are harder than diamonds. People say they drop them down stairs and have no issue. The nut slot isn't too wide for sure. The string is wound to the absolute bottom of the peg. I might have to take it to a guy I guess. I'd prefer not to, but hey, there's no ends I wouldn't go to so I could play her. Thanks for your help and advice.

Scott

electracoyote · #8 07-09-2009, 03:57 AM

Try slowly fretting the string at 1 and see how much distance you have between the string and fret on all four strings. If you have less distance at the A than the D string, the nut slot is too deep.

Good luck!

LaBassGuy · #9 07-09-2009, 04:37 AM

I had the same problem with my Fender Jazz. Try this: put little bit of pressure on the A string right above the nut. If the buzz goes away, then the buzz has nothing to do with relief or action.

There's no profound explanation; you just have to take the string off and restring it.

PJSShearer · #10 07-09-2009, 04:42 AM

Try wrapping a sliver of tin foil around the string in the nut slot. If the slot's too wide and/or deep then this will cure it.

ByF · #11 07-09-2009, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Only way to know for sure is to take it to a qualified guitar/bass tech.

I agree with everything you said except for that.

The OP can put a capo at the third fret and measure the gap under each string at the first fret. Slide a piece of paper under each string; there should be the thickness of one or two pieces of notebook paper under each string, minimum. If the A string is much lower than the others, he needs to raise the nut, or fix that slot.

No "qualified" tech required for that. If it needs to be refretted, well then he probably needs a tech.

Ed

electracoyote · #12 07-09-2009, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByF

I agree with everything you said except for that.

The OP can put a capo at the third fret and measure the gap under each string at the first fret. Slide a piece of paper under each string; there should be the thickness of one or two pieces of notebook paper under each string, minimum. If the A string is much lower than the others, he needs to raise the nut, or fix that slot.

No "qualified" tech required for that. If it needs to be refretted, well then he probably needs a tech.

Ed

Yes, you're absolutely right, and you basically repeated what I had already said above.

The only reason I suggested a tech is because some people aren't experienced and comfortable with their own diagnosis, and if it is the nut, OP may not want to take the plunge into the world of building or rebuilding nuts all by himself at this point in his guitar maintanence career.

pmorlen · #13 08-10-2009, 01:40 PM

I had the same problem with my 2009 American Standard Jazz. I just bought it 2 weeks ago.

It was just the open A-string that buzzed. I restrung it twice making sure the last wrap around the tuning pin was at the bottom. I also tuned the A string up about 4 full steps to create more tension on the string but it still buzzed.

I'm in the process of exchanging it for a new one with zzounds.com

I also have a Classic Vibe Series jazz and the build quality on that $300 bass is better than the Amer Std. I also had an issue with sharp fret edges on the Amer Std.

Leon Transaxle · #14 03-03-2012, 01:39 PM

Hi,
Sorry for resurrecting an old thread but I thought I just had to say thanks.
I bought a used CV 50s bass the other day. It came supplied with pickup cover and I bought a bridge cover to go with it. But there was a buzz from the open A string qhwn played hard.
Was it either of the covers (at one point I thought the buzz was coming from the bridge)?
I took them off - still a buzz which seemed to be coming from around 15th fret area.
Other strings were OK so I guessed the neck was OK. Kept raising the action but the buzz remained, and now the string was banging the bridge cover.
So having exhausted ideas I resorted to Talkbass and Basschat.
Thought I was going to have to look at the nut, padding it up with tinfoil as a stopgap and then I read ManuBerdin's post. Looked at the tuners and saw the winding worked upwards. Pressed on the string above the nut and it was cured! So a quick restringing of the E and A and probelm solved.
So ta for that.