One buzzing fret-strategies?

[Whit Townsend]

Other than the obvious take it to a pro for a fret job.
New SX P/J. Overall I'm well pleased, esp for a $120 bass. Plays good, acceptable tone, electronics work w/o scratchiness, intonates well.
Neck relief is fine, just one buzz. Its on the low strings at the first fret, Low F is the worst, and the Bb on the A string to a lesser degree. The Eb and Ab are fine, so is the rest of the fingerboard.

So best I can tell the bass end of the 2nd fret is a little high.

I have read up on here about this kind of issue, and I realize the 1st thing I've got to do when I get home is get out the straight edge and do the "rocking" test. But I'm pretty sure it will confirm what I describe.

I'm not sure if it is a seating problem, or I will need to file it a little.

I would like a few tips and tricks from knowledgeable folks on how to proceed, pitfalls to avoid, suggested tools, etc.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by Whit Townsend

Other than the obvious take it to a pro for a fret job.
New SX P/J. Overall I'm well pleased, esp for a $120 bass. Plays good, acceptable tone, electronics work w/o scratchiness, intonates well.
Neck relief is fine, just one buzz. Its on the low strings at the first fret, Low F is the worst, and the Bb on the A string to a lesser degree. The Eb and Ab are fine, so is the rest of the fingerboard.

So best I can tell the bass end of the 2nd fret is a little high.

I have read up on here about this kind of issue, and I realize the 1st thing I've got to do when I get home is get out the straight edge and do the "rocking" test. But I'm pretty sure it will confirm what I describe.

I'm not sure if it is a seating problem, or I will need to file it a little.

I would like a few tips and tricks from knowledgeable folks on how to proceed, pitfalls to avoid, suggested tools, etc.

I suggest that you try the easy things first before you start filing the frets.

First, make sure the nut is set up properly My SX wasn't. It needed quite a bit of fitting to tame the notes closest to the nut.

I would also try increasing the relief a smidgen and see if the problem improves. Keep in mind that the relief will have an effect on the "rocking" test in the first few frets.

Look at the offending fret(s) very closely to make sure that there is no gap between the frets(s) and the fingerboard.
Only after you've done these simpler steps would I recommend filing the frets.

I do not recommend that you attempt to file the frets yourself unless you are very confident that you know precisely what you are doing. That is not a job for a novice, and no one can give you the knowledge that will be required in a forum setting. The minimum tools that are required make it completely impractical for a one off job.

Good luck.

[lug]

Originally Posted by pkr2

IOnly after you've done these simpler steps would I recommend filing the frets.

I do not recommend that you attempt to file the frets yourself unless you are very confident that you know precisely what you are doing. That is not a job for a novice, and no one can give you the knowledge that will be required in a forum setting. The minimum tools that are required make it completely impractical for a one off job.

Good luck.

It's really easy. Just grind away till you are happy with the results!

[Whit Townsend]

Nut...
Hmm, now that you mention it, that could be part of the problem. The E and A do seem to ride a little too high, but the buzz persists with even the most careful fretting. I can make it go away somewhat but not totally with very careful finger placement and an extremely light pluck. Considered lowering the grooves sightly might help but I coudn't see how it would help with the rattling on the next higher fret.


Truss Rod:
Man I hate to mess with it as its so nice everywhere else. Maybe the 1st thing to dso is replace the stock strings with something just a little meatier, go from the stock 100s to 105s. That might just provide enough additional relief.

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by Whit Townsend

Nut...
Hmm, now that you mention it, that could be part of the problem. The E and A do seem to ride a little too high, but the buzz persists with even the most careful fretting. I can make it go away somewhat but not totally with very careful finger placement and an extremely light pluck. Considered lowering the grooves sightly might help but I coudn't see how it would help with the rattling on the next higher fret.


Truss Rod:
Man I hate to mess with it as its so nice everywhere else. Maybe the 1st thing to dso is replace the stock strings with something just a little meatier, go from the stock 100s to 105s. That might just provide enough additional relief.

Your bass, your call.

[Whit Townsend]

Update:
1/8 turn of truss rod solved the prob good enough for now. No buzz unless I really lay into it.
Someday, if I ever start giggiing regularly w/this thing, a fret leveling and some upgrades will be in order.
But happy for now for bass's present occasional use.
Thanks everyone for the advice!