Odd buzz problem

Wolftopus · #1 06-13-2007, 12:44 AM

In the past week or so my bass has developed a weird buzz when holding the E string at the 6th fret. The odd thing is that the buzz isn't coming from the 7th fret or at a higher point on the neck but behind it. if I hold on to the 6th and 3rd fret there is no buzz, anyone have a clue what the problem might be?

GeoffByrne · #2 06-13-2007, 02:47 AM

Could be the nut, but most likely it's a loose screw/bolt/tension rod nut vibrating in sympathy to that frequency.

Go to the head & check all screws/tuner nuts/bolts/truss rod - you get what I mean.

Good luck.

202dy · #3 06-13-2007, 05:32 AM

It is called back buzz. The problem is rarely a worn nut. Sometimes it is caused by a popped fret. Usually it can be remedied by a truss rod adjustment. Measure the relief and proceed from there.

Wolftopus · #4 06-13-2007, 10:58 AM

I really doubt it's a worn nut, the bass isn't even a year old. It's only the E string that has the problem. I gave the neck a little relief and it hasn't really made a difference.

202dy · #5 06-13-2007, 11:23 AM

You gave it some relief. That might be the answer but how much relief did it have and how much does it have now? Let's figure that out first and then proceed.

A well worn string can also cause back buzz. Think about it. If the string is worn it is now D shaped. Therefore when it is in contact with the fret it is sitting lower on then neck. Whether or not the fret is worn, but especially if it is, there may not be enough clearance.

It is more likely to be a worn string or a popped fret. That is, unless you have extremely low action. That is why relief and action measurements are so important.

Please measure and repost the specs.

Wolftopus · #6 06-14-2007, 10:18 AM

Unfortunately I didn't have the proper tools to measure unfortunately but I took my bass to a tech yesterday. He set up my neck and the problem seemed to be gone but last night I realized that the problem occurs as soon as I put the bass in Drop D. This never happened before so could it be the string?

GlennW · #7 06-14-2007, 11:22 AM

It could be the extra floppiness due to lack of tension in drop D.

Wolftopus · #8 06-14-2007, 11:50 AM

On a 105 gauge string? It's never happened before and I never switched gauges.

Wolftopus · #9 06-14-2007, 12:12 PM

I'm saying that in the past when using the same gauge of string I never experienced a back-buzz.

Wolftopus · #10 06-14-2007, 01:31 PM

The buzz is coming from behind the fret. I hit 6, the buzz is on 5.

202dy · #11 06-14-2007, 01:35 PM

Back buzz is when the string buzzes behind the fretted note. For example, the string is fretted at the fifth fret, say E string A, and the string is buzzing on the third fret, E string G.

One of the questions that needs be asked is: Does it buzz through the amp?

Wolftopus · #12 06-14-2007, 03:21 PM

Nope, doesn't buzz through the amp, but nonetheless it really bothers me considering a few weeks ago this wasn't happening.

gfried84 · #13 06-14-2007, 03:25 PM

This sometimes occurs from a nut that is not cut with the slots properly angled to the headstock. It also happen when a string is not wound on the tuning post enough and this will cause a situation where there is not enough pressure on the nut.

202dy · #14 06-14-2007, 05:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wolftopus

Nope, doesn't buzz through the amp, but nonetheless it really bothers me considering a few weeks ago this wasn't happening.

This is one of those things that must be let go or it will drive one to distraction.

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

tjh · #15 06-14-2007, 05:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfried84

This sometimes occurs from a nut that is not cut with the slots properly angled to the headstock. It also happen when a string is not wound on the tuning post enough and this will cause a situation where there is not enough pressure on the nut.

Yup ... break angle over the nut to the lowest point of the tuning post ... try to rewind the string and increase the downward slope (break angle) from the nut to the lowest point on the post ... I have bought basses where someone had strung incorrectly, bottom to top, etc and it experienced the same issue ...

GlennW · #16 06-14-2007, 05:33 PM

I've never used a drop D tuner, but I'd guess it involves turning the peg a little which would raise the point where the string leaves the peg and decrease the approach angle to the nut. If you have an longer string you could take your time putting it on so that wraps around the peg until it's almost bottomed out when tuned to E. That might solve your problem.

PilbaraBass · #17 06-14-2007, 06:47 PM

202dy,

I know exactly what you're talking about "back buzz"....

my main axe does this on the G string at the 10th fret....It's set off by sympathetic vibrations from the note being struck...
I have very little relief on this bass, which probably causes this to happen... but I like it that way...i only hear it when I'm playing acoustically (which is seldom), so I just ignore it...

BTW...break angle over the nut is not a problem on my Yamaha RBX, because it uses a 4-string tree...

NKUSigEp · #18 06-14-2007, 07:49 PM

If it's buzzing when you hit an open note (almost ALWAYS an open "A" on a Fender neck), 99% of the time it's because there aren't enough windings on the tuning peg. But when you fret a note, it takes that right out of the equation so it's a non-issue. And "back-buzz" in my experience, is caused by sloppy playing, i.e. you're not putting enough pressure on the string. If you got enough force holding the string down, the back portion of the string shouldn't vibrate at all.

So that leaves an unseated fret (easy fix), truss-rod issues (no fun at all!), lower action compared to previous times (easy fix), and last and worst of all, your neck might be starting to warp.

PilbaraBass · #19 06-15-2007, 05:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NKUSigEp

If it's buzzing when you hit an open note (almost ALWAYS an open "A" on a Fender neck), 99% of the time it's because there aren't enough windings on the tuning peg. But when you fret a note, it takes that right out of the equation so it's a non-issue. And "back-buzz" in my experience, is caused by sloppy playing, i.e. you're not putting enough pressure on the string. If you got enough force holding the string down, the back portion of the string shouldn't vibrate at all.

So that leaves an unseated fret (easy fix), truss-rod issues (no fun at all!), lower action compared to previous times (easy fix), and last and worst of all, your neck might be starting to warp.

I disagree...the back buzz that occurs on fret 10 of my G string is caused by sympathetic vibrations, I assure you...not sloppy playing...

Wolftopus · #20 06-15-2007, 07:34 AM

I also disagree. I assure you, there is no shortage of fret pressure in these fingers. I also highly doubt the neck being warped considering when tuned in E everything is fine and there is no buzz. I tried re-winding the string yesterday with no change in the sound. I'm taking it back to the tech today to hopefully get this issue figured out and fixed.