Haveing problems with my frets buzzing

Buddah999 · #1 11-16-2007, 09:50 AM

I wanted to know if there was anything else I can do before I took my new bass in for a $70 setup.

I just purchased a Warwick Proline Corvette from a fellow TBer here (I love that instrument btw). I tunrd her (I use an alternate tuning... down a full step) and I let her sit overnight to get use to the humidity change. When I picked her up last night Everything was silky smooth except a terrible fret buzzing at the 3rd, 4th, and 5th frets on the G string. Everything else on her is fine, butthe buzzing is KILLING ME. Is there anything else I can do before I take her in for an inital set up? I dont realy know much about that process... but I'm cheap, and dont want to wait till I have the money for a set up.

Thanks!

Buddah999 · #2 11-20-2007, 05:34 PM

I think I have found the problem. I noticed the nut on the side closest to my G-string is lower than the side on the E-string. Is this something I can fix? Or should I let a pro do it?

Gasman · #3 11-20-2007, 05:39 PM

You can do it, but it might take some time. Warwicks have adjustable nuts, which is cool in one sense in that you can really set your action exactly where you want it, but it is another moving part, which means it will require adjustment forever.

Also, as a fellow down tuned bass player, I can tell you that a little fret buzz can be desirable, if not inevitable.

202dy · #4 11-20-2007, 07:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddah999

I think I have found the problem. I noticed the nut on the side closest to my G-string is lower than the side on the E-string. Is this something I can fix? Or should I let a pro do it?

Once the note is fretted the nut has absolutely no affect on the geometry of the instrument. In other words, the nut is not causing the problem. Only a buzz on the first fret would be caused by a low nut slot. Buzzing on F3-5 would indicate a lack of relief.

Refer to Joshua's post above.

Buddah999 · #5 11-20-2007, 09:26 PM

Ok. Thanks guys! I read the post on how to adjust the action, give relief, and all that jazz... And seing as this is my first REAL bass (my beginner bass is an Ibanez P-bass knock off) I think I'll leave this in the hands of a capeable professional. Aww hell. it needs to get set for my playstyle anyway.

And I'll practice my intonation adjustments and things like that on my knock off P-bass!

JimmyM · #6 11-21-2007, 02:22 AM

Ibanez P Bass knockoff? Is it one from the 70's?

kdlunde · #7 11-21-2007, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buddah999

Ok. Thanks guys! I read the post on how to adjust the action, give relief, and all that jazz... And seing as this is my first REAL bass (my beginner bass is an Ibanez P-bass knock off) I think I'll leave this in the hands of a capeable professional. Aww hell. it needs to get set for my playstyle anyway.

And I'll practice my intonation adjustments and things like that on my knock off P-bass!

I'd echo the comments above about doing your own setup. If you follow the advice in the sticky thread, you should do fine. And I'm sure most people would tell you, if you have someone else set it up, your bass will then be setup for THEIR playing style, not YOURS.

202dy · #8 11-21-2007, 06:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kdlunde

I'd echo the comments above about doing your own setup. If you follow the advice in the sticky thread, you should do fine. And I'm sure most people would tell you, if you have someone else set it up, your bass will then be setup for THEIR playing style, not YOURS.

A professional tech will do a short interview with the player to determine how they play and what their goals are for the set up. Some will have the the owner play for them. Then they will proceed to set up the guitar with those goals in mind, limited only by the design and execution of the instrument, the budget of the player, and physics.

Buddah999 · #9 11-21-2007, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

Ibanez P Bass knockoff? Is it one from the 70's?

Man... I have no idea where it is from. I inheareted it from my roomate when our former bass player left (he got signed to a group from a major label). I believe it is about 5 or 10 years old. Its black with a black pickguard, and a maple neck. It looks pretty good. It realy dosen't sound all that hot though.

Also, for you guys that do your own setup and intonation, are there any other tools I need besides a tuner? I cant get my practice bass harmonics to tune right. And then when I adjust the saddles, it is either too sharp at the 12th fret, or to flat. I cant seem to get a perfect ballence.

JimmyM · #10 11-21-2007, 05:13 PM

A tuner and whatever tool the intonation screw needs to be adjusted is all you need for intonation setting. I can think of a couple reasons...maybe you're just turning the intonation screw too far before you check it, or maybe you've got the order of operations wrong. When you do a setup, you set the truss rod first, then you set the action, then you set the intonation. Intonation is always last.

alexgeddy · #11 11-21-2007, 05:48 PM

If you liked the action before you detuned the bass, then you most likely need to adjust the truss rod! If you detuned the bass a full step and let it sit overnite the neck is (will) most likely gonna back bow. Me thinks you need to take some tension off the neck by adjusting the truss rod.. Just do it gradually...some basses take a while to settle in. Butttt detuning a whole step is definitely gonna give you fret buzzz. If you aren't comfortable setting up the bass then I would take it to a pro and let them set it up....

raytsmith · #12 11-21-2007, 08:16 PM

You didn't mention if it buzzed before you did the setup ?

If no other strings are buzzing, it sounds to me like the 6th fret is slightly high right underneath the G string. It could be it came this way from the factory, and they just didn't get that side of the fretwork quite right.

Look to relief and other setup issues first, but if a high fret is the case, you could mask the fretboard, mark the fret with a Sharpie so you can tell what area you are working on, and gently use some 320 sandpaper to work on just that spot. Although if you've never messed with fretwork, you might want to take it to someone who has...even if you get the 6th fret fixed, the 7th could be high also...