Is it a good thing to like fret buzz?

WilliamSandoval · #1 07-08-2011, 09:50 PM

I got new strings, and I was amazed at how growly and sharp they were. Five minutes ago, I realized that it was fret buzz i was hearing. I adjusted the saddles, played it, and now I'm sad. I lost my tonal nirvana...

Should I lower the saddles again? I know wanting fret buzz is out of the norm, so...

fractiouslowend · #2 07-08-2011, 09:57 PM

i love a little bit of fret buzz, it's like a a free fuzz pedal

allexcosta · #3 07-08-2011, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamSandoval

Should I lower the saddles again? I know wanting fret buzz is out of the norm, so...

Actually, it's not... Many player aim for that with very low action, SS strings and boosted highs on their amps. Nothing wrong with it unless you're a session player, in which case some producers will get a little mad reasonably fast...

walterw · #4 07-08-2011, 09:58 PM

hey, if it works for you and sounds good in the mix...

...plus, you can enjoy super-low action without freaking out at the tiniest rattle like some people do.

WilliamSandoval · #5 07-08-2011, 10:15 PM

I lowered the saddles. You can't really hear it with the amp, but I still hear the rattle since I'm the closest to the bass. I'm happy though.

paganjack · #6 07-08-2011, 10:19 PM

You're not the only one. I really like it for some styles (esp. metal). Other times, not so much. For a really aggressive tone it's indispensable.

IPA · #7 07-08-2011, 10:22 PM

I just got my new Geddy Lee today, and it has the lowest action I've ever played. I mean ridicuously low. Trade off is a little bit of fret buzz. But with the super zingy pickups and the J configuration, the buzz sounds great. I thought about raising it, but I think the buzz is part of its character. It's mostly just on the E string, so you can have some rhythmic fun with it. Once I'm playing with the band and have my big loud amp and my EQ set, it will probably blend in anyway.

Metaldood19 · #8 07-09-2011, 01:51 PM

I love having just a pinch of buzz. Like others have said before me, its great for metal. Plus I get insanely low action and a crisp tone with a small boost on my high end.

Chef FourString · #9 07-09-2011, 01:54 PM

I like the way the low action gives off that klanky buzz. Adds a little more grit in your grind.

Electricblue · #10 07-09-2011, 03:44 PM

I love my setup, it stays "clean" when playing fingerstyle and light pick playing. When I really dig in, I love to have a grindey rattle going on.

WilliamSandoval · #11 07-09-2011, 04:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electricblue

I love my setup, it stays "clean" when playing fingerstyle and light pick playing. When I really dig in, I love to have a grindey rattle going on.

+1

VitalSigns · #12 07-09-2011, 04:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Electricblue

I love my setup, it stays "clean" when playing fingerstyle and light pick playing. When I really dig in, I love to have a grindey rattle going on.

This is how my bass is too

JohnMCA72 · #13 07-09-2011, 05:26 PM

What's the best string height for metal?

WilliamSandoval · #14 07-09-2011, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnMCA72

What's the best string height for metal?

String height doesn't necessarily affect tone as much as the bass and EQ settings. Low action will cause fret buzz which sounds cool IMO. You probably would want low action, but action mostly has to do with playability and comfortability.

Essen · #15 07-09-2011, 06:57 PM

I started playing to RATM, and I remember I loved that sound when he really dug in. Some basses and styles suit buzz better though. For me, stingrays need to have fret buzz

VitalSigns · #16 07-09-2011, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilliamSandoval

String height doesn't necessarily affect tone as much as the bass and EQ settings. Low action will cause fret buzz which sounds cool IMO. You probably would want low action, but action mostly has to do with playability and comfortability.

I think he was joking...

jessesober · #17 07-09-2011, 10:34 PM

I play in a band that tunes to drop A and lower the saddles on my five string gives me such a deliciously beefy rattle. It sounds great along with those guitars that are tuned down and have some rattle as well. I love the dirty tone I get from the rattle on the low A

rojo412 · #18 07-10-2011, 08:08 AM

If you listen to just about any song on Level 42's "Retroglide", Mark King's bass fret buzzes are all over... and he's widely regarded as one of the best players ever.

And Musicmans always tend to sound like they have a fret buzz and that's what their signature sound is!

darkstorm · #19 07-10-2011, 09:04 PM

Of course lower action back down. Theres two types of fretbuzz. The kind you hear unplugged and which can make you think "This is too much". But plugged in and thru amp speaker or headphone a nedw dimension of wonderful emerges as you noticed. Fret buzz is too much only of notes are fretting out, dieing prematurely due to fret rattle damping strings. Musical fret rattle as you noted is great improvement to sound. Enjoy. This kind is the good kind. Ignore the rattles heard when playing unplugged. Lol.

SGD Lutherie · #20 07-10-2011, 10:40 PM

I like it. I keep my neck totally straight, and my action fairly low, and I love hitting an open string and hearing that upright type of growl.

I got to play Jeff Berlin's dean once (handed to me by Tal Wilkenfeld

) and every note buzzed equally, but at the same time was very clear. I had never played a bass with that low of action in my life! Everyone who picked it up said "wow..."