looking for advice: re fret buzz

xshawnxearthx · #1 10-12-2008, 09:36 AM

so i took my bass out this morning and started doing runs and noticed some MAJOR buzz on D string, 7th fret. no other buzzing anywhere else....any string, any note. so i raised the saddle(which was set to proper neck radius) but it needed to be brought up a lot and even then it just made it a little better. the action is adjusted perfectly. like i said, every other note is fine, just this one.

so only other thing i can think it is would be the nut finally wore down a little bit because of the friction the string moving back and forth. but would that only mess up one fret? wouldn't i notice that more?

ugh. anyone have any suggestions? and please save the "bring it to a professional".

fretlessman71 · #2 10-12-2008, 09:40 AM

The fret itself can wear down, or sometimes a fret can "pop loose" and be high in a certain spot. If this is the case, then you'll have to bring it tuuff fuf prfffufffuffnial....

It's also possible that your bass has taken damage on the D string near the 7th fret, and now it's bent just enough that it causes buzzing there. You wouldn't be able to see the damage, though. If your strings are old it might be time to change them and see if that solves the issue.

Nick Kay · #3 10-12-2008, 09:40 AM

The 8th or 9th might be coming out of the fretboard near the D string, causing the 7th to fret out. Take a look - if one of them seems to be rising, lightly tap it back down with a hammer.

xshawnxearthx · #4 10-12-2008, 09:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fretlessman71

The fret itself can wear down, or sometimes a fret can "pop loose" and be high in a certain spot. If this is the case, then you'll have to bring it tuuff fuf prfffufffuffnial....

It's also possible that your bass has taken damage on the D string near the 7th fret, and now it's bent just enough that it causes buzzing there. You wouldn't be able to see the damage, though. If your strings are old it might be time to change them and see if that solves the issue.

so i just took it out of the case to examine whether the fret's have "popped loose" which they aren't but i did notice the slightest of bent/crimp in the string. then i think back to last night and i kind of remember a singer and his microphone bumped into me and mutting my strings at one point. forgot all about it till i see this little crimp. i have a feeling it's that. and i think i have a D string in the car that i'm going to check out. thanks.

xshawnxearthx · #5 10-12-2008, 10:07 AM

bent the string back a little bit with plier(basically just did what i could to straighten it) and when i just play it lightly it's fine now. if i dig in, it's a little buzzy but fine till i trade out a set next week.