Fret Buzz Question

[vivaknoxvegas]

I just put a new set of flats on, switching from DR Sunbeams. I had my bass setup about three weeks ago when the DRs went on. Now with the flats my G string from the 7th fret to the 1st fret is buzzing. Everywhere else on the neck is fine. What could this be?

[Lobster11]

There's a sticky in the "Setup and Repair" forum that points to this site (among others):

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...tupmanual.html

He explains that buzzing in only the first five or so frets suggests a need for more relief in the neck, whereas buzzing in other places requires different solutions.

It isn't at all uncommon for new strings, especially when of a very different type, to require some setup modifications. With some strings (i.e., with very high tension) you can get away with a very flat neck, whereas with others you need more relief to avoid buzz.

[vivaknoxvegas]

Fret the 1st and 12th fret, then 1/16 of an inch gap in the center? Is that the relief I want?

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by vivaknoxvegas

Fret the 1st and 12th fret, then 1/16 of an inch gap in the center? Is that the relief I want?

1/16th of an inch is a lot. About the thickness of a business card as the initial adjustment is a good starting point.