High Fret Buzz

[grifff]

I have some serious buzz on the 12+ish frets on my Warwick Fortress. Do I need to introduce more or less relief into the neck? The lower frets do not buzz nearly as much.

Thanks.

[megadan]

Try raising your bridge saddles a little bit first and see if that helps.

[lethargytartare]

Go through the full drill. Set your relief, set your action, then isolate the buzz. Assuming you've done that...

is the buzz across all of the strings?

are you saying you get buzz when you fret at 12, 13, etc.? Or have you isolated the buzz to be caused by the 12th fret?

Buzz when playing in the middle register of the neck could mean you have too much relief. But it could also mean you have the perfect amount of relief, but ramp-up at the heel of the neck. Or that a fret has popped up out of its slot, or that a fret has gotten very pitted.

If you need help diagnosing, post your measurements -- relief, action, condition of frets, etc. But I suggest you make sure your first step is to run through a full proper setup regimen (see stickies and threads here to get that) so you have a nice point of reference to work from.

[grifff]

Originally Posted by megadan

Try raising your bridge saddles a little bit first and see if that helps.

My action is already higher than I would like it

[stflbn]

Less relief. More saddle height. Or some fret leveling to the highest frets on the fretboard.

To little relief usually results in first through fourth fret buzzes. To much paired with low string height can cause highest fret buzz.

[grifff]

Originally Posted by stflbn

Less relief. More saddle height. Or some fret leveling to the highest frets on the fretboard.

To little relief usually results in first through fourth fret buzzes. To much paired with low string height can cause highest fret buzz.

This is what I was thinking. When I depress the 1st and 24th fret I should be just able to slide a business card between the 8th fret correct?

[stflbn]

The normal simple measuring device most compare to is a credit card... not business card.

I almost always end up with less than a credit card after doing setups for myself.

[grifff]

Originally Posted by stflbn

The normal simple measuring device most compare to is a credit card... not business card.

I almost always end up with less than a credit card after doing setups for myself.

I always get the two confused

I will try getting rid of some of the relief.

[stflbn]

To little relief however won't be making it buzz on the highest notes... to little will make it buzz closest to the nut.

If it's not buzzing down by the nut then it becomes a personal preference.

Buzzing higher on the neck would have to be a string height issue, or paired with lower string height is pointing out that you have one or more frets that are higher than needed around that 12th fret.

[ddnidd1]

Check out these setup instructions.

http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...tupmanual.html

[StrangerDanger]

Im getting the buzz while playing in the middle. Its coming from high up on the neck above the 12th fret. Its only doing it on A and D strings though. What is my cure? Saddle height on A and D or less relief?

[lethargytartare]

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Im getting the buzz while playing in the middle. Its coming from high up on the neck above the 12th fret. Its only doing it on A and D strings though. What is my cure? Saddle height on A and D or less relief?

See all posts above.

NOTE: if you adjust the relief, it will impact all strings equally, so if your problem is only on two strings, the solution might not be one that affects all four strings equally.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by StrangerDanger

Im getting the buzz while playing in the middle. Its coming from high up on the neck above the 12th fret. Its only doing it on A and D strings though. What is my cure? Saddle height on A and D or less relief?

My guess, if it's just the A&D strings, is that your bridge is set incorrectly.

[kjpollo]

I just had the same problem occur at the 17th fret and mainly on the A & G strings as well.

I had to raise those 2 saddles a little but I'm still mystified why it appeared so suddenly.

[boyet]

Originally Posted by kjpollo

I just had the same problem occur at the 17th fret and mainly on the A & G strings as well.

I had to raise those 2 saddles a little but I'm still mystified why it appeared so suddenly.

Seasonal changes affects the wood in different ways.

[ewimsatt]

Originally Posted by stflbn

The normal simple measuring device most compare to is a credit card... not business card.

I almost always end up with less than a credit card after doing setups for myself.

When I start a setup, I take a bass with the strings on and lay a straight edge on the fretboard. I want .009" of clearance measured between the straight edge and top of the 7th fret measure with feeler gauges. That seems to be the best starting place for a setup.

[Hollywars]

I'll take the Fortess off your hands

But in all seriousness, it's quite likely your neck is kind of bowed/too much tension. Do what the other guys say.

[mongo2]

Originally Posted by grifff

My action is already higher than I would like it

Did you ask the bass what setup/action it prefers?