Fret Rattle Question

[jasper383]

I have a new MIM Jazz. When I play the E string, 6th fret Bb, the string fret buzzes loudly at some point from my fretting finger down to the nut.

It is loud enough to hear through my amp, and annoys me greatly, enough that I often avoid playing that note. It only happens at that fret.

What do I have here? High fret? Fingerboard issue? Is it easily repairable?

Thank you in advance.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by jasper383

I have a new MIM Jazz. When I play the E string, 6th fret Bb, the string fret buzzes loudly at some point from my fretting finger down to the nut.

It is loud enough to hear through my amp, and annoys me greatly, enough that I often avoid playing that note. It only happens at that fret.

What do I have here? High fret? Fingerboard issue? Is it easily repairable?

Thank you in advance.

First check the relief in the neck. Hold down the string at the 1st and 12th frets, then look in the middle of the board, around the 7th fret. What's the clearance between string and board? It shouldn't be touching the fret. It should be about a credit card's thickness. If it's not, you could try loosening the truss rod a quarter turn and see what happens.

After that, it's time to look for a fret that is higher than the others - either through lifting or just not being polished to the right height.

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by SBassman

First check the relief in the neck. Hold down the string at the 1st and 12th frets, then look in the middle of the board, around the 7th fret. What's the clearance between string and board? It shouldn't be touching the fret. It should be about a credit card's thickness. If it's not, you could try loosening the truss rod a quarter turn and see what happens.

After that, it's time to look for a fret that is higher than the others - either through lifting or just not being polished to the right height.

The relief is a little less than a credit card, so it's ok. My other basses have about this relief, and this doesn't happen.

High fret?

[jasper383]

Originally Posted by GlennW

Sounds like your A fret might be high under the E-string. You could cut an old credit card or 3x5 card long enough to just span frets 4-6and see if it rocks on the 5th fret.

If it is a high fret, and I think it is, what can I do to fix it?

Is it a matter of tapping itthe high fret down, or is sanding or something else involved?

Thank you.

[SBassman]

Originally Posted by jasper383

If it is a high fret, and I think it is, what can I do to fix it?

Is it a matter of tapping itthe high fret down, or is sanding or something else involved?

Thank you.

Depends. If it is lifted, it would be a tap first. If it doesn't look lifted, it would be filing/sanding.

[Zooberwerx]

The E string nut slot may be worn or cut too deeply (I'm dealing with the same thing!) If you depress the E string at the 2nd fret, you should be able to see a minimal gap between the string and 1st fret. If there is no gap, you've got a problem. The string will buzz like a banshee irrespective of relief and bridge adjustment.

Good luck!

Riis