New bass setup

[OxJohnson]

So I got one of those $99 Rockbass deals at GC and have a question.

When I got it I had to rewire the jack, but besides from that it seemed pretty o.k. Then it started to developing fret buzzes on all strings above the 14th fret. The action was already kind of high. So I started to take relief out of the neck. 1/4 turn per night and let it set... rinse, wash, repeat... for 3 days with no noticeable improvement. Finally after some thought and deperation, I decided to change the strings from the stock ones (and give it an 1/8 of a turn for good measure). Viola! Fret buzz gone. I could even lower the action at the bridge some. But...

Now there is a buzz when I lift my fingers off a note. I know... technique... but if that is the case, then why doesn't it happen on any of my other basses?

Normally (on all of my other basses) I use D'Addario strings but I used GHS B-52s (.45-.105) on this one (I am waiting for MF delivery for more Dads). Can the strings cause this? Did I set something up wrong? Do the new strings need to "break in" (my Dads never did this)?

Help! I finally got it "dialed in" and now this!

Thanks all,
Ox

[meev992]

I hear that Rockbass...izzizizs......have a bad rep.

The way I see it, I can dial in any bass I want, but if it gives me THAT much trouble, the bass just isn't worth it, IME, YMMV

I once worked on an old Kramer Aerostar (1987). The thing came in as a pile of junk, and left my hands as a "moderately playable, in the hands of a PRO only"

Maybe u need to take it back, you have your receipt

[OxJohnson]

Well for $99, it was definitely worth it... probably for $299 or more too. I already switched up the jack and stuff, which was the frustrating part of the whole purchase (I could have taken it back and had it done for free, but it only took 10 minutes). The rest was/is setup. I had to go through the same thing (setup) with my RD500 and lets not even get into the SX... but that one is my own doing (or wanting to do).

I played it at last practice and the active p/u and pre is just plain out killer. It took awhile to "dial in" but after that, it sounded great!

For the record, I don't think the buzz will come through the amp. I just turned around and played it seems like it may be the strings... If I fret a note (not real hard either) without plucking there is a mettalic "tinny" clanking. Neither the Ibanez or the Yammy do it (both with Dads).

Ox.

[meev992]

Originally Posted by OxJohnson

For the record, I don't think the buzz will come through the amp. I just turned around and played it seems like it may be the strings... If I fret a note (not real hard either) without plucking there is a mettalic "tinny" clanking. Neither the Ibanez or the Yammy do it (both with Dads).

Ox.

I'd like to say, i wish I could really diagnose the problem, but it's hard doing that over the interweb

What I will say, is that, if you're jamming/gigging, there will be so much going on, neither you or the audience will notice, so no biggie.

but for 100 clams, man, wish I could get me a beater bass.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by OxJohnson

Well for $99, it was definitely worth it... probably for $299 or more too. I already switched up the jack and stuff, which was the frustrating part of the whole purchase (I could have taken it back and had it done for free, but it only took 10 minutes). The rest was/is setup. I had to go through the same thing (setup) with my RD500 and lets not even get into the SX... but that one is my own doing (or wanting to do).

I played it at last practice and the active p/u and pre is just plain out killer. It took awhile to "dial in" but after that, it sounded great!

For the record, I don't think the buzz will come through the amp. I just turned around and played it seems like it may be the strings... If I fret a note (not real hard either) without plucking there is a mettalic "tinny" clanking. Neither the Ibanez or the Yammy do it (both with Dads).

Ox.

Sometimes when setting up a new instrument it is possible to become hyper critical of everything about the. It is not unusual to be more critical of an inexpensive instrument (looking for reasons it is cheap?) than of a more expensive instrument (which, of course, could not possibly have problems considering the expense.) when making adjustments. When a brand new instrument has an issue like an output jack it tends to make a new owner suspicious. From what you have posted, it sounds like there is nothing wrong with your new bass.

Most importantly:

If it does not buzz through the amp, it does not buzz.