Got A Buzz When I Put My New Strings On

[capnsandwich]

I just restrung my 5 string jazz bass with a set of Elrick SS rounds. I've always been a fan of Sadowsky SS rounds but for some reason I decided to experiment. Well, I finally restrung it after putting it off all week because I hate changing strings and I discovered a buzzing noise from my E string. It's not fret buzz. It sounds like it's coming from the nut but it's hard to isolate it, but I do know it's not fret buzz. Also, it feels as though my action is a little higher than usual. The intonation is fine. I just recorded with it tonight but those 2 issues rose up when I restrung it.

Anyone know what may have happened and know a way to solve the issue without having to spend $50-$60 for a set up?

[CHRISDABASS]

ive had a similar problem on a few occasions the 1st time the buzzing was a bad set of strings so i sent them back for replacement, next time the E string didnt have the right break angle over the nut and the buzz was coming from the nut itself. i know you probably know this already but make sure when the string wraps around the string post that there are enough wraps to force the string as far down the post as possible that way the string will be properly seated in the nut!

the action will be higher due to the change in tension on the neck, all strings vary in tension a quarter turn on the truss rod will probably solve that!

are the strings a different size/gauge?

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by CHRISDABASS

are the strings a different size/gauge?

Yes, by .005, I thought only the B was bigger but now that I'm looking at the specs I realize that it's a .005 difference on the guage of every string. Ahhhh, that explains the higher action, but I'm still wondering about the buzz. Maybe I'll contact Elrick about it. The string is wrapped around the post normally. I just adjusted the truss rod and maybe by tomorrow the buzz will go away. If not I'm going to email Elrick.

[JustDavid]

Just on the open E?

[3506string]

Make sure the nuts on your machines are tight. I had a similar problem and found out my the washer under the nut was rattling.

[The Universe]

The break angle is extremely important. And it could be the break angle of one of the *other* strings that's causing a buzz in the nut when you play on the E string. I encountered that a couple of weeks ago. I was getting a buzz when I fingered a D on the 7th fret of my G string. Turns out, the break angle of the E string was just a little too high, and it was causing the E to vibrate in the nut. Interestingly, the E would not buzz on its own.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Just on the open E?

Yep, just the open E. I'm slowly adjusting the truss rod to flatten the neck but that's a slow process so I won't know if that's going to work for a little while. I may take a picture and post the area that's buzzing. maybe you guys can spot a problem that I don't see. I checked the break angle of the string but they seem normal, to me at least.

[capnsandwich]

I put the bass in Uncle Toad's shop to be set up for the heavier guage. I'm pretty sure that this should take care of the problem. He's the man.

[bohemond]

I have the exact same problem as you . I encountered today, while stringing my new Jazz . The break angle is fine and I have it wrapped almost 3 times around the post./ However I used a 105 rather than the 100 I normally use. Its like a resonant high pitch ringing sound I get from the open E. It sucks. I looked at the nut as well and It wasnt filed smoothly. This is a new squire CV that I plan on modding.

[capnsandwich]

Originally Posted by bohemond

I have the exact same problem as you . I encountered today, while stringing my new Jazz . The break angle is fine and I have it wrapped almost 3 times around the post./ However I used a 105 rather than the 100 I normally use. Its like a resonant high pitch ringing sound I get from the open E. It sucks. I looked at the nut as well and It wasnt filed smoothly. This is a new squire CV that I plan on modding.

You very well may have to get it set up for the heavier gauge strings, or go back to a lighter gauge.

[bassbully]

Originally Posted by capnsandwich

Yep, just the open E. I'm slowly adjusting the truss rod to flatten the neck but that's a slow process so I won't know if that's going to work for a little while. I may take a picture and post the area that's buzzing. maybe you guys can spot a problem that I don't see. I checked the break angle of the string but they seem normal, to me at least.

Since you added a larger gauge string you need to ad relief not take it out. You must allow room for the larger stings to vibrate over the fretbaord.

[JustDavid]

A string with greater tension pulls the neck more resulting in more relief, which wants a truss rod tightening to restore the same action.

The playing style is the same, & relief is measured from the bottom of the string. Why would a larger string want more excursion room?

[lonote]

Larger strings generally mean more tension and that means less excursion.

[Oreomeister365]

I have the same problem...pretty annoying, its only audible acoustically, but it's a little too loud to ignore. Could just be the lower than stellar quality strings I'm using

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by lonote

Larger strings generally mean more tension and that means less excursion.

Not always (but you did mention "generally"). Tension isn't always related to gauge. The core is what determines tension (hex core being higher tension than round core). You can have lighter gauge hex core strings that have more tension than heavier gauge, round core strings.

The larger the string the more it moves back and forth (vibrates), which is why low B strings are often being thought of as too floppy. So yes, one might need more relief for larger strings.

I've had buzzing on one string only...but it turned out it was just that frequency of that open string that caused a vibration elsewhere on the bass (buzzing tuners, bridge saddles, etc.) that sounded like it was the string itself.

Tighten down ALL parts on the bass and try it again...and then when playing the open E, hold down individual parts (like saddles, machine heads, etc. ...heck I even had a pickup cover that vibrated against the body and I was POSITIVE it was the string itself!!!). It is almost always NOT the string itself if you only hear it acoustically. If it were the string itself, it would be picked up through an amp too.

[JustDavid]

Tension comes from mass, tuning, & length. Keeping tuning & length the same, it's just mass.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

Tension comes from mass, tuning, & length. Keeping tuning & length the same, it's just mass.

Yes, you are right, string tension is determined by vibrating length, mass, and pitch.

From D'Addario's website...

The string diameter alone does not determine a string’s tension. By using different raw materials (nickelplated steel or phosphor bronze, etc.) or by varying the ratio between the core and the wrap wire, two strings with the same diameter, tuned to the same pitch, could have two different tensions.

There are many factors other than string gauge that determine the actual and perceived string tension.

My point is that in general hex core strings will have a perceived higher tension than round core, regardless of gauge per given string.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

There are many factors other than string gauge that determine the actual and perceived string tension.

I'd like other terms; the 'perceived' portion has subjective components & there's potential to 'unMonster Cable' the topic.

How about;
Tension
= string pull from nut to bridge, in pounds
Stiffness
= string deflection across fingerboard, in pounds per 1/10" of deflection
Feel
= immeasureables
Texture
= subjectives like Flats versus Rounds (just to have language to keep this out of 'Feel')

?

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by JustDavid

I'd like other terms; the 'perceived' portion has subjective components & there's potential to 'unMonster Cable' the topic.

How about;
Tension
= string pull from nut to bridge, in pounds
Stiffness
= string deflection across fingerboard, in pounds per 1/10" of deflection
Feel
= immeasureables
Texture
= subjectives like Flats versus Rounds (just to have language to keep this out of 'Feel')

?

I agree with you (about how this relates to "monster cables"), but my point is that you can have two strings that are identical in gauge and tuned to the same pitch, but if the core of one is hex and the other is round, the round core string will be "perceived" as having less tension because it will vibrate more freely and feel "looser".

IMO, with the two identical strings (except for their core design) a round core will cause more "fret buzz" than the similar hex core.

Which is what my point to the OP was all about. I've found that if I use round core strings and I have a "floppy" B string, but the rest of the round core strings seem fine, I will find a hex core B string with the same gauge as my round core (tuned the same and the same length) and that whole "floppy" problem goes away.

I just don't want anyone who is having issues with fret buzz or sloppy strings, thinking that the only solution is to go to a higher gauge string (assuming a heavier gauge string will have higher tension).

[JustDavid]

Cool. From that I think you could have a less floppy B with hex core than round core at the very same tension since the hex would be stiffer. (Not stating that as the way it is, more trying to advance the discussion.)

Not sure which way things would go tension-wise with similar gauges; does a .130 hex B tend to have more tension than a .130 round?

More fretbuzz from a round-core. Tension-dependant, for sure, but if rounds are less stiff the fretbuzz might be from greater excursion.

Originally Posted by Sundogue

I just don't want anyone who is having issues with fret buzz or sloppy strings, thinking that the only solution is to go to a higher gauge string (assuming a heavier gauge string will have higher tension).

+1. Very good topic, even more so with F#s & C#s coming in.