"Open A" rattle/buzz

invader3k · #1 03-03-2007, 04:18 PM

Lately I've noticed a buzz or rattle sound coming from my A string, but only when it is played open. Fretted notes do not have this problem. This is on my Fender American Deluxe Fretless Jazz Bass. I do notice that when I press down on the string above the nut, the buzz goes away. What should I do? I've tried adjusting the bridge per Gary Willis' website without success thus far (the buzz remains no matter how high or low I set the saddle or how long or short I adjust the string length).

Strings are not new, but definitely not worn or anything like that (they're flatwounds).

Thanks in advance!

invader3k · #2 03-04-2007, 07:57 AM

Someone must have some advice here?

rjny36 · #3 03-04-2007, 08:36 AM

That happened to me once on my American Standard Precision. I did two things to correct it at the same time, so I'm not 100% sure if both are needed or which one actually cured the situation. In any case, I changed my strings back to the original stock gauge (as I had gone a bit heavier), and I made sure that, when I was wrapping the A string around the tuning post that the windings didn't overlap, and went down from the top, so that the final wind is at the bottom of the coil.

Stopped the buzz completely for me.

invader3k · #4 03-04-2007, 08:43 AM

I'm wondering if the string is the issue...perhaps the winding or something. I checked the relief, and I have about a credit card's thickness between the A-string and the fretboard, so I don't think a truss rod adjustment is in order. I also don't think the guage of the string is a problem, since it seems to fit snugly in the nut slot. Maybe I can rewind the existing A string?

invader3k · #5 03-04-2007, 09:48 AM

Guys, I tried restringing, and it seems like the string is coming in "high" over the nut...like I can't get the string low enough to the headstock, or to the bottom of the tuning peg. Did I cut my string too short? It doesn't seem like I did...I'm getting about four turn around the peg.

invader3k · #6 03-04-2007, 10:29 AM

The more I search on this forum, it seems like this type of problem is common on Fender basses (whether jazz or precision type). Seems kind of ridiculous for the price of a new Fender Am.Stand. P-bass.

Anyway, what's the concensus? Do I need to install a string tree or something, or should I just try a brand new string, and make sure it's _really_ long before winding it?

Juniorkimbrough · #7 03-04-2007, 10:53 AM

I had a similar problem with one of my Jazz basses. I"m pretty sure the problem was I cut the string too short. I unwinded the string at the tuner and rewound it closer to the base of the tuner and it fixed it.

invader3k · #8 03-04-2007, 11:10 AM

The problem I have with that though, is that the string tends to creep back up to the top of the tuning peg. :P No amount of holding it down seems to keep it in place.

invader3k · #9 03-04-2007, 11:23 AM

I'll try to post a pic later...have band practice in a little while, actually.

I don't know that there aren't enough...there are four good winds around the peg. Shouldn't that be enough?

Jazz Ad · #10 03-04-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by invader3k

The more I search on this forum, it seems like this type of problem is common on Fender basses (whether jazz or precision type). Seems kind of ridiculous for the price of a new Fender Am.Stand. P-bass.

Anyway, what's the concensus? Do I need to install a string tree or something, or should I just try a brand new string, and make sure it's _really_ long before winding it?

Yeah, all Fender basses have this issue.
Leave them another 50 years so they realize and do something about it.
You can fix it with a restraining bar.

Or just make sure you always wrap the string down to the bottom of the tuning post.

rjny36 · #11 03-04-2007, 12:11 PM

One real "quick fix" I found the first go around was to take a spring clamp-type capo, and put it on the nut. If you don't have the time to fix it prior to a gig or a rehearsal or something, it'll do the trick... though it looks kinda odd.

jasper383 · #12 03-04-2007, 04:25 PM

When stringing the A, I have gotten to the point of leaving a lot more string, so that I am sure that the windings will go as far down the post as is possible.
Even then, sometimes I get the buzzy A.
Hipshot makes the string retainer Jazz Ad mentions. The Hipshot products are excellent.

invader3k · #13 03-04-2007, 05:02 PM

I'm thinking of getting the Hipshot retainer. It couldn't hurt, anyway. I think otherwise I'd just have to leave a lot more string, as you said. I'm convinced it's strung correctly, otherwise.

momo · #14 03-04-2007, 06:33 PM

I stopped cutting the As on my fenders all together.

j-bass-kreep · #15 03-04-2007, 07:15 PM

I never cut my strings when I install them , it takes a lot more time to string it but its worth it .

tww001 · #16 03-05-2007, 09:52 PM

This is a real cheap fix, and I did it because I did not want to drill a hole into the headstock of my '69 p-bass to install one of those hipshot three string retainers (though I am putting one on my fretless jazz, which is only a few years old). I just strung some heavy string over the after-length of the a string (but under the other three) and tied it around the back of the head stock. It's crude, and it requires re-tightening and replacing every once in a while, but it works.