Frett buzz problems :(

[BassPenguin22]

I know this has been covered to death and back again but...
I got a Squier VM P about 4 months ago, it has never been professionally set up and the strings are still stock (Mainly cos when i got it i was so broke i couldn't do much in the way of setups).
The frets buzz all over, on all strings all frets etc. This leads me to believe its not one particular fret or string. Also the Action seems to be about as high as it go's...
So what should i do? I was thinking of biting the bullet and just having it set up cos i have NOO idea of what im doing.

[Bobster]

BassPenguin,

No one will really be able to tell anything without pics. If it's buzzing on all strings, all frets, it's typically string height.

But, I would also agree that if you don't know how to set it up, you should probably take it in to the shop. If they will let you, try to watch the setup being done. You won't learn the whole process then, but at least you can get a better idea of what's involved.

Best of luck,

Bob

[funkycoldmedina]

Originally Posted by BassPenguin22

...I was thinking of biting the bullet and just having it set up cos i have NOO idea of what im doing.

If you are having setup issues and don't feel. Comfortable doing it yourself, don't. Its pretty easy when you get the hang of it but i have seen guys do a worse job setting it up themselves or damage the neck by cranking the truss rod because they don't know any better. Not only will a pro set up make the bass play easier and fix your problems, you might find a tech willing to show you a little something in the process. That's how I learned. In the meantime watch some videos and read articles online about how to do the set up yourself so you can set it up yourself next time.

[Aspidites]

It needs a proper set-up, plain and simple.

About 20 years ago I bought a $20.00 beater that I used to learn the do's and don't of set-ups and I have been doing them ever since.

[BassPenguin22]

Would it be bad/ un fixable if i leave it a few weeks till i have the cash???

[bassphreak]

No, I don't think any damage will be done by letting it sit. If you have time and no money, research set-ups. There is a sticky on this thread and there are a number of good sites that provide detailed tutorials. Finally, try youtube also. If cash is an issue, better learn to be resourceful. BUT....if you attempt anything make sure you have the correct tools - the correct size allen/key, screwdriver, etc. I'm not great at set ups but I know the do's and don'ts. And mostly from reading, watching and asking questions on TB.

Get to know the folks at your local shop. I am fortunate that there are 4 shops in reasonable driving distance for me. I had one of the tech provide me a quick set up on an older bass free of charge. Go during a slow time. Sometimes you luck out.

[202dy]

Images are o.k. They will get you in the neighbor hood. But they do not provide the data needed for an accurate diagnosis.

Please measure:

1. String height at twelfth and last fret, bass and treble sides respectively, in 64ths of an inch. Inexpensive hardware store steel rule will do the trick.

2. Relief at the seventh fret, in thousandths of an inch. Feeler gauges from the auto parts store are relatively inexpensive.

Post the data here and someone will help.

The tools last almost forever. Less than fifteen dollars for both.

[john grey]

Buzz is of course an issue of string to fret contact.

There are 4 elements to string height. The NUT, The BRIDGE, The NECK's relief (or bow), & the STRING itself; it's composition, size, tension, construction.

Generally speaking a nut is filed at the time of factory setup and has a moderate effect on string height. It can be lowered or raised but the overall effect is less than that of the bridge unless the nut is really screwed up.

The bridge saddles have a large affect on string height. IF the string saddles are all the way down......and you have a buzz; naturally raise them. ANY alteration of the saddles may have an effect on proper tune & intonation but that's another issue.

The neck has a truss-rod that tightens when you turn in clockwise and loosens when you turn it to the left. You can make a neck almost perfectly straight (with no relief) and that may contribute to fret buzz if the strings are too low. "Relief" is the amount of "bow" the neck has generally at the 12th fret. Many players was a tiny amount of relief due to the natural vibration elements of the string which will vibrate widest at the center of the string length.

The STRING itself can be contributing factor to fret buzz. Some string vibrate LESS (flat-wounds, ground-wounds, etc) in a tighter cone than others. They also have a bit more tension at 440 than round-wound strings and can actually lay closer to the neck than round wound string; lowering the action without buzz.

A screwed up fret can also make for a considerable fret buzz if one fret is quite a bit LOWER than the rest of them! A tweaked neck can obviously cause fret buzz also.

Obviously this is the first place to start.....
Take the guitar and bring the bridge saddles up a bit until you have no buzz. Then sight down the neck from the bridge side. IF you have a deep curve downward (a valley) you may need to tighten that neck up a bit. IF you bring the bridge saddles up as high as possible and you still get buzz; look at the neck, if you have a bow upward - like a hill; you need to loosen the neck.If your neck looks straight, the strings are fairly high and you STILL have buzz, take a GOOD quality ruler (a quality straight edge!) and check your frets for consistent height in relationship to neck relief.
However if you have all in order with your setup, remember that you can't rip into any string like an archery bow and expect it not to buzz. Check your technique if all else fails. Good technique is placing your finger RIGHT BEHIND THE FRET - NOT in the middle, pressing down hard into the fret wire just behind it with the pad of the finger plucking the string with light to moderate force in a parallel line with the pickup surface, etc, etc. Use as basic a technique as humanly possible to determine if some issue exists with pickup height as well!
Remember you have 4 factors you can work with right off....
Good luck!

[lethargytartare]

Originally Posted by Aspidites

It needs a proper set-up, plain and simple.
...

Exactly. So:

(1) Pay for one -- it WILL be worth it given you description of your bass

or

(2) Read the sticky:
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

There are well tested approaches to the process, and the order you do things, and they give you the best chance of getting a good result -- and they're all in that sticky.

Suggest you pay for it now (no rush -- your bass won't be hurt by waiting until you've got some money for it), then, if you are interested, start tinkering and learning when you notice little issues develop. It's good to start with a baseline of how well your bass CAN be set up. And a pro might identify something more out of whack that you wouldn't be able to identify or fix and might spend a lot of time spinning your wheels trying to figure out.

It's basic maintenance for any guitar, so it's invaluable to learn how to do setup work yourself!

ltt