Fretless neck buzz

plong123 · #1 03-10-2013, 08:14 PM

Hey guys. I just bought a used bass and am beginning to notice some buzzing in the neck. Since this is my first fretless bass, I was surprised to hear what I considered the classic "fret buzz" sound on my fretless. The neck is pretty fine in either direction, sounds smooth on runs in either direction, but there's an awful bottoming out that happens around the seventh fret of both the E and A strings. (also a slight reoccurrence above the fifth fret of the G string).

Here is a link to a video my wife was kind enough to shoot for me this evening:

http://www.twistedtomorrow.com/fretlessbuzz01.mp4

As you can hear, the bottoming out is so severe to render the bass practically unplayable in this condition. Bass information: Carvin AC40F, neck-through. Standard truss rod in headstock.

Is this a normal thing? Is it just a slight truss rod adjustment away from an easy fix, or do I have to take this to a shop?

Thanks!

Slowgypsy · #2 03-10-2013, 08:17 PM

You just bought a used bass. Are you using it in the exact condition you received it in? Or have you checked it out... IE: done a set up on it?

96tbird · #3 03-10-2013, 08:41 PM

If you are happy with the action on all strings as is, go ahead and loosen the truss nut 1/8 - 1/4 turn. If it doesn't clear up, run it through a complete setup.

Strat Hater · #4 03-10-2013, 08:46 PM

Is there back bow?

funkyebk · #5 03-10-2013, 09:02 PM

Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Stay on the scene (Set on up) like a bass machine (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Stay on the scene (Set on up) like a bass machine (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Stay on the scene (Set on up) like a bass machine (Set on up)
Wait a minute
Shake your arm, then use your form
Stay on the scene like a bass machine
You gotta have the feeling
Sure as you're born
Get it together
Right on, right on
Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)

Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
You said that you got...
You said the feeling you got to get
You give me fever in a cold sweat
The way I like it is the way it is
I got mine, don't worry about his
Set up (Set on up)
Stay on the scene (Set on up) like a bass machine (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Set up (Set on up)
Bobby, shall I take 'em to the bridge?
Go ahead
Take 'em on to the bridge?
Take 'em to the bridge
Can I 'em to the bridge?
Yeah, go ahead
Take 'em on to the bridge?
Go ahead now
Hit me now

plong123 · #6 03-10-2013, 09:11 PM

Thank you all for responding.

Slowgypsy - No, I have not yet done any kind of setup on the bass. I have had it for a couple of weeks now, and am just now noticing the severity of the buzz. Maybe it's been there the whole time, maybe it just developed, hard to say.

96tbird - Yes, I'm very happy with the action everywhere on the neck.

Strat Hater - I am not sure what you mean when you say "back bow".

funkyebk - +5 for vision and follow through. Well played.

funkyebk · #7 03-10-2013, 09:20 PM

Remember that fretless basses are finicky things... for optimal tone every thing has to be in balance. On a fretted instrument, a little neck movement from weather and humidity may go unnoticed until something "just feels weird" on a fretless, sometimes opening a window can throw everything out of whack and turn your bass into a sitar.

Be prepared to get very familiar with the truss rod.

Turnaround · #8 03-10-2013, 10:19 PM

You have to be really attentive to details if you want a fretted bass to play with lowest possible action. You have to be equally attentive to tiny details to have a fretless bass play its best. Even a slight ( measured in thousandths of an inch) irregularity in a fretless fingerboard will cause all kinds of grief.

Problem is that you are now in a rarefied territory. You need to find somebody who understands how a double bass is set up, and at the same time understands electric fretted basses and the unique space in that continuum that is occupied by this instrument. Sorry, but's it's not an easy spot to fill. And the chances of you doing it on your own to optimum levels are remote.

Sorry TB, but there aren't many techs out there (or even manufacturers) that fully understand fretless bass guitars. It's a passion of mine, but I have to say that they are the most problematic of the instruments I play and service, and that includes all orchestral strings, electric and acoustic guitars and basses and a a whole whack of others like mandolins, banjos, lutes, etc. But when you get them right, it's pure heaven.