Need explanation from the gurus here

[Aragorn35016]

First off let me say Ive tried searching for this problem but didnt know what to call it (maybe a sympathetic vibration issue???) Anyway Ive been doing my own setups for years, and have in the past few years across various brands of instruments noticed a reoccurring problem (maybe its common and im just ignorant of info) I noticed that when fretting the 7th/8th fret of the E string that the string contact back from the fret to the nut has a tendency to vibrate and buzz against the frets, generally I try to fret that note with my second finger so I can use my First to deaden the string, but surely this is a setup flaw that I have, Ive used different brands of strings and have generally the same results, and again this has spanned across several brands (Fenders, Music Man basses, a G&L, a Ric, and now my spector) I pretty much have always used either a 100 to 40 or 45 set (and whatever B is now in those sets with my Spector 5) and the E is the only string that has ever exhibited this problem. Im not a truss rod extremest I always follow factory specs. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks

John

[T-Bird]

Hi John.

I've noticed the same on certain low(ish) setups.

I don't view it as a flaw, just an annoyance or a feature of a stringed instrument.

Some tie a string of wool, small hair-donut, 80's wrist warmer () etc. just above the nut, but I just use my finger if the setup is that low.

REgards
Sam

[walterw]

it's called "back-buzz", and it's kind of a ghost problem that shows up only on certain instruments at certain frets when played a certain way.

the usual fix is to have the nut be not quite so low.

[Aragorn35016]

Thanks for the input guys, I noticed if I hold the bass a certain way it kind dampens, and if I set the body on the floor upright and play the string it totally goes away! Luckily its not audible through the amp.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by walterw

it's called "back-buzz", and it's kind of a ghost problem that shows up only on certain instruments at certain frets when played a certain way.

the usual fix is to have the nut be not quite so low.

Couple an over-cut nut slot with a too-straight neck and you'll have problems. This happens with every bass you set up? You may want to re-think your procedure.

Riis

[Aragorn35016]

Originally Posted by Zooberwerx

Couple an over-cut nut slot with a too-straight neck and you'll have problems. This happens with every bass you set up? You may want to re-think your procedure.

Riis

Already been there, it can be made to go away, if you like ALOT of relief, but keep in mind I do not use zero relief, and pretty much follow factory specs for basses. Im gonna chalk it up as a weird quirk, Im not sold on it, but I agree that it may be a string gauge and nut slot missmatch problem as well.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Aragorn35016

Already been there, it can be made to go away, if you like ALOT of relief, but keep in mind I do not use zero relief, and pretty much follow factory specs for basses. Im gonna chalk it up as a weird quirk, Im not sold on it, but I agree that it may be a string gauge and nut slot missmatch problem as well.

Roger that. What's your string / 1st fret gap when fretted at the 3rd?

Riis

[Aragorn35016]

No gap between first fret and the string when fretted at the 3rd fret with the exception of the B, though I dont know what it is, my son seems to have hidden my feeler gauges . That being said, there is no buzz when the strings are played open, and the E is the only string that exhibits this problem.

John

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Aragorn35016

No gap between first fret and the string when fretted at the 3rd fret with the exception of the B, though I dont know what it is, my son seems to have hidden my feeler gauges . That being said, there is no buzz when the strings are played open, and the E is the only string that exhibits this problem.

John

"Well, there's your problem right there..." - my auto mechanic.

You should be seeing a gap of .003" - .005" between the string and first fret. From your description, the strings are resting on the first fret which would, without doubt, create the back buzz. I would not expect to see the buzz with open strings as it rolls the relief and string height into the equation. You have 3 options:

1) Do nothing. Some people can live with the extraneous noise. I can't.

2) Replace the nut. Not an expensive proposition, either.

3) Repair the nut. I'm not a big fan of building up nut slots with CA and baking soda. I've had better success with removing the nut, placing a shim under the nut (beer can aluminum is perfect as it can be cut with an Xacto razor), and gluing the nut back in place. The results will be acceptable but not optimal.

Riis

[Aragorn35016]

Roger that, however this is a brass nut on a spector, Ill have to check to see if they offer replacements.

Thanks for the help!

John

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by Aragorn35016

Roger that, however this is a brass nut on a spector, Ill have to check to see if they offer replacements.

Thanks for the help!

John

If the nut can be removed, it can be shimmed. Brass, bone, tusq...doesn't matter. Replacement would be my first choice, though.

Riis