New SX Fretless problem - rattling noise

ack · #1 04-25-2007, 05:43 PM

Hey all - just got my first fretless, but there's a problem - I think. Maybe some of you can help out...

The first "fret" on the E, A & D Strings has a horrible buzz.
If I move just a bit (like 1/4 step), the buzz goes away.

It's actually more than a buzz, it's a rattle, a very pronounced rattle. It's most pronounced on the A String.

I can also hear it at the 12th 'fret'.

I'm thinking it may be a problem with the nut, but that's just a guess.

I don't know enough about basses to start messing with the truss rod, or the setup, but any suggestions would be welcomed.

So far, I've raised and lowered both pickups - no results
I've raised/lowered the saddles. Nothing.

I probably need to get it setup, but I want to know if there's an issue that requires me to return it to Rondo before I go and pay for a setup.

I mean, other than that rattle, this is a beautiful bass and it sounds really good..even when I'm playing it.

Thanks,
ack

MohawkHarry · #2 04-25-2007, 05:54 PM

If all your hardware is tight the truss rod could be loosely flopping around inside the neck.

ack · #3 04-25-2007, 06:15 PM

Thanks, is that something I can check myself?

Should I de-string and check the truss rod?

It's interesting that this noise is isolated to the 1st fret.

MohawkHarry · #4 04-25-2007, 06:46 PM

If you have another set of strings around throw them on there and see if that cures it. If you shake the guitar can you feel the truss rod moving inside the neck?

MohawkHarry · #5 04-25-2007, 07:21 PM

I have had a few cheap basses that you could hear the truss rod vibrate inside the neck and for a bass with no frets to give off a buzzing sound when fretted is odd.
Is there a good amount of releaf in the neck?

ack · #6 04-25-2007, 08:06 PM

well, something worked.

I took off the stock strings (apparently D'Addario Flatwounds) and put on a set of Rotosound 77's. Same buzzing at the first fret.

The thing that is different about this bass compared to my others is that after the nut (towards the tuners) there is about 3/8" of neck that I think the strings may be resting on when I hit the 1st fret. The nut may be too low?

Anyhow, I thought about what you wrote about the trussrod, and checked for any rattling without any strings on it - nothing. I put an allen key in there an gave it a 1/4 turn in each direction - it feels tight, but I can't really tell if it moved the neck orientation or not (I am pretty new to guitars, so I really don't know where I should be looking for the change - I'm guessing where the neck meets the body?

I read on this forum that you shouldn't really turn the trussrod too much at once, so I gave it a half turn clockwise and re-strung it with the stock flats.

I guess that 1/2 turn clockwise did something because the buzzing is history.

I was thinking about lowering the saddles in order to change the angle of the strings to the nut, but the buzzing has dissapeared. I guess it needs a good setup by a pro. A least I know that I should not send it back as a lemon.

I've been curious about trying a fretless and a bunch of folks rave about the SX's, and at $139 it 's worth a shot to see what they're like. I know it's basically a beater, but it should let me know if I like playing fretless or not.

MohawkHarry, I appreciate your quick responses. They helped me sort most of these issues out.

Peace.
ack

MohawkHarry · #7 04-25-2007, 08:29 PM

Well on basses that have the trussrod adjustment at the peg head of the bass.
I rest "body to the floor neck pointing at ceiling" the bass on the floor and look down the fretboard as I turn the trussrod.
On all the basses I have owned except for a Warwick that has some stout ass stubborn wood. I can see the changes made as I turn.
If the strings are making contact above the nut with the peghead something is wrong.
SX basses are a inexpensive way to learn how to tweek your our instruments.
I use to pay for setups until I bought my first Warwick when the weather changed I needed a setup. So I learned to do it myself.
You can find a great deal of information on this board,
good luck with your new bass.

steve66 · #8 04-25-2007, 08:32 PM

I had a similar experience with the SX Stingray copy I bought months ago. They are great basses for the money. The bass had some fret buzz. After doing a good setup (cleaning up the frets, truss rod adjustment and setting string height) and some fresh strings, the bass is mint. You have to expect some adjustments with SX basses.

Brass Nut · #9 04-29-2007, 07:49 AM

Had the very same problem with my 205 SX fretless!
Recieved new, the action was pretty close and being more interested in playing the first few days, I tried to ignore it.
Had trouble with the B string, installed some TI's and it rattled more!
Drove me nuts!
Finally, starting from the beginning, I removed and checked the tuners, reworked the nut, replaced the bridge (all this I wanted to do anyways) and noticed the rattles were still with me.
Moved on to flattening the board and had a heart attack! The nut on the truss rod was free spinning! Like broken or stripped(?)! Anyways after some deliberations I discovered my truss nut was backed off about 4 turns before even starting to tension. (WHEW!)
Got it set up, and rattle was completely gone. Just a loose nut!