Mega fret buzz

[reverb508]

I've searched the forum for a thread that addresses my problem but didn't find anything.

I have a 2000 Warwick Thumb BO 4 that refuses to stop buzzing on the E string. The third fret is completely unusable because it buzzes like crazy. The open plays fine as does the F and F# but that G rattles no matter how lightly I try to play. I've adjusted the relief by loosening the truss rod by 1/4 turn but it did nothing. I've also raised the nut and the action with no results. Whats going on with this thing?

Thanks
Brian

[therex]

your string maybe the problem
if may have a little crack-like-thing
my old gsr200 have the same issue in the second fret, it was cause the string was damaged when i puted in
but no big deal

[warnergt]

Maybe the G#/Ab fret is sitting a bit high. Does the buzzing go away when you get to that fret?

[goodeyesniper75]

im having the same issue with my 2000 thumb b/o

[reverb508]

Originally Posted by warnergt

Maybe the G#/Ab fret is sitting a bit high. Does the buzzing go away when you get to that fret?

the G# has less buzzing but it still buzzes.

[dbcandle]

Try using a "fret rocker". Find something like a credit card, short ruler, or anything very straight and *just* long enough to span 3 frets. Place your "fret rocker" across 3 frets (frets 1-2-3, 2-3-4, etc.) and look for a "high" or "low" fret. When spanning 3 frets, all 3 frets should touch (or come dang near close touching) your "fret rocker".

You'll need different length "fret rockers" depending where you are on the neck, since closer to the bridge, the frets are quite close together.

With your "fret rocker", you should be able to tell if the problem is a high or low fret.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by dbcandle

Try using a "fret rocker". Find something like a credit card, short ruler, or anything very straight and *just* long enough to span 3 frets. Place your "fret rocker" across 3 frets (frets 1-2-3, 2-3-4, etc.) and look for a "high" or "low" fret. When spanning 3 frets, all 3 frets should touch (or come dang near close touching) your "fret rocker".

You'll need different length "fret rockers" depending where you are on the neck, since closer to the bridge, the frets are quite close together.

With your "fret rocker", you should be able to tell if the problem is a high or low fret.

A small straight edge is indispensable in the shop. The fret rocker sold by Stewart MacDonald is great because it has four different lengths in one tool.

dB, dang near is not close enough. Diagnosing fret problems is a game of thousandths. It is an is you is or is you ain't proposition. Without good tools and the willingness to use them, it can take literally hours to eliminate a nagging little buzz.

[dbcandle]

Originally Posted by 202dy

...
dB, dang near is not close enough. Diagnosing fret problems is a game of thousandths. It is an is you is or is you ain't proposition.
...

Sigh...
...no wonder I can't do better than 5/64ths on the treble side and 7/64ths on the bass side of my Fender MIM. The tolerances of my fretwork is not in the thousandths!

Oh well, I just wanted a four-banger to slap-on anyway. Happily my 6-string Ibanez has better action.

[202dy]

Five and seven isn't bad at all. Many people consider that to be an average setup.

(Many people over forty consider it to be too low. )

Without spending a good bit of discretionary income on tools, or a similar amount of time to build them, it is difficult to achieve the degree of accuracy necessary to level the fret plane and get a ridiculously low set up. And then there is the experience of actually using the tools. Unless one is an experience tool user, it takes a few tries to get the feel for the files and abrasives. Just learning how not to push leveling device can be frustrating and time consuming. We won't begin the debate on the Erlewine neck jig. Even with the tools and experience, the effort can be frustrated by a fretboard out of level or an uncooperative neck.

If one wishes to learn how to do this and do it well they would do well to purchase Dan's fret book in addition to the repair manual. Flea market season has begun in the north east. Get up early on Sunday morning and buy a few guitars at the local flea market and practice.

Or support your local pro. Their kids need new shoes.

[dbcandle]

Originally Posted by 202dy

Five and seven isn't bad at all. Many people consider that to be an average setup.

(Many people over forty consider it to be too low. )

Without spending a good bit of discretionary income on tools, or a similar amount of time to build them, it is difficult to achieve the degree of accuracy necessary to level the fret plane and get a ridiculously low set up. And then there is the experience of actually using the tools. Unless one is an experience tool user, it takes a few tries to get the feel for the files and abrasives. Just learning how not to push leveling device can be frustrating and time consuming. We won't begin the debate on the Erlewine neck jig. Even with the tools and experience, the effort can be frustrated by a fretboard out of level or an uncooperative neck.

If one wishes to learn how to do this and do it well they would do well to purchase Dan's fret book in addition to the repair manual. Flea market season has begun in the north east. Get up early on Sunday morning and buy a few guitars at the local flea market and practice.

Or support your local pro. Their kids need new shoes.

I had originally planned on getting some files and doing my own fretwork, but after reading-up on the subject I have an appreciation for a) the skill involved, b) the cost of the proper variety of files and c) the importance of getting the neck *perfectly straght* before filing (with the string off!).

I wouldn't take my bass to a tech for a routine setup, but for any fretwork (except filing-down "fret-sprouts" on the edges), I would!