Is this a problem or just happens?

ysand · #1 05-22-2008, 05:44 AM

Hello all!

Here's the issue:

I got a 5-string Spector Rebop.
It has a little relief, relatively low action, and all the strings play great, except for the E.
When i pluck hard with my fingers (i mean normal playing, just stronger)on the first 3-4 frets there is a "buzz" after a sec. Raising the action didn't help, and i'm pretty confident that the relief is ok.

When i play with a pick though, it doesn't happen. This makes me think that everything is fine and that i just shouldn't play that hard with my fingers.

Does it happen to your basses too or i got to make adjustments? Cos i think that the wave that is generated with a pick and with the finger is different and that's the reason it happens.

thanx for any replies

JEDI BASS · #2 05-22-2008, 05:55 AM

Yeah, I think you've already figured it out. Although a second (hands on instrument) opinion from a tech might be in order. You could be playing too hard, and/or too close to the neck. But, I think that all your strings should be showing some buzzing, if that's the case.... can't tell without seeing the bass

. Well....

....try playing close to the bridge.

ysand · #3 05-22-2008, 06:03 AM

Well, now that i took some time examining it, it seems that they all have a little of that when i play hard but that's rather normal i guess.
The thing is that it's more intense with the E.

JEDI BASS · #4 05-22-2008, 06:11 AM

If you go up the E, one fret at a time, playing hard.... is there one fret where from then on the buzzing ends? If so, you've got a high fret that's causing the prob. It may have only lifted on the E string side. If that's it, tap it back down gently. Or if its a play-wear thing (frets worn down low--very common) then all the upper frets are causing the buzz, and you'll need the frets levelled dressed and crowned.... not cheap but worth it. I've had both of these scenarios happen to me.

JEDI BASS · #5 05-22-2008, 06:14 AM

Hold on a sec... you said raising the action DID NOT help??

Are you sure it's fret/string buzz and not a vibration in a tuner or something else on the bass?? I've got a couple of older basses that have tuners that buzz on certain notes.

ysand · #6 05-22-2008, 06:16 AM

Hmm, how can i understand if it's a tuner prob?

JEDI BASS · #7 05-22-2008, 06:23 AM

Well if relief is ok, as you said, and jacking the saddle up didn't fix it... I'm assuming this means very high action, and still buzzing.... then rattling/buzzing tuner parts could be it. Hit one of the culprit notes HARD, and try to track with your ear, where the noise is coming from. It could also be coming from the body: bridge, knobs, etc.

ysand · #8 05-22-2008, 06:46 AM

Just checked, i'm pretty sure it's neither the tuners or the bridge and knobs.
Maybe i should try with a different gauge of strings or smth? It's an .85 now.

JEDI BASS · #9 05-22-2008, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysand

Just checked, i'm pretty sure it's neither the tuners or the bridge and knobs.
Maybe i should try with a different gauge of strings or smth? It's an .85 now.

OOOH, YEAH! That's very light for an E, which will make it VERY loose and buzzy. HAHA, my A strings are 85, and I prefer a .105 or 110 for my E (med to heavy). My dream set (which I would have to custom order and I don't due to cost) is 110, 85, 60, 40.... even tension from string to string. Rotosound's Billy Sheehan set is a good compromise that might work well for you.

ysand · #10 05-22-2008, 04:51 PM

Wait, sorry, i'm stupid, i read the A on the box and didn't pay much thinking...
It's 105...

ysand · #11 05-28-2008, 01:58 PM

Ok, i'm reposting here with a different problem though...

When i play the B on the 4th fret of my G string or the 9th of the D string, i don't know how or why but my E string is vibrating!
As it's a 5 string, i rest my thumb on the B and so the E is free to do that.
Is it possible that it's a string prob or do i need to do any adjustments?

Mushroo · #12 05-28-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysand

Ok, i'm reposting here with a different problem though...

When i play the B on the 4th fret of my G string or the 9th of the D string, i don't know how or why but my E string is vibrating!
As it's a 5 string, i rest my thumb on the B and so the E is free to do that.
Is it possible that it's a string prob or do i need to do any adjustments?

That can be fixed by proper muting technique. Check out some of the muting threads in the Technique forum. Basically, if you leave any string unmuted, it will vibrate sympathetically when certain notes are played on other strings. To prevent this, some combination of thumb, finger, palm, or hand should be touching every string at all times. This is especially important on 5 string. I personally use the "floating thumb" technique, where my right thumb is in between the B and E strings, touching both of them, whenever I am playing on the D or G strings.

ysand · #13 05-28-2008, 02:53 PM

Yeah, that's what i do now that this is happening.
But i'm having this bass for months and now that i changed strings i think it's worse.
Cos i never had to use smth more, i'm pretty good with muting.
Anyways, i guess i'll see if it's the strings fault when i change em

Mushroo · #14 05-28-2008, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysand

Yeah, that's what i do now that this is happening.
But i'm having this bass for months and now that i changed strings i think it's worse.
Cos i never had to use smth more, i'm pretty good with muting.
Anyways, i guess i'll see if it's the strings fault when i change em

It's the string's fault

New strings have louder harmonics (which gives a "brighter" sound) so it is logical that new strings would have more sympathetic vibration. Good for you for practicing your muting. I think it's one of the most important techniques that separates the beginners from the pros.

ysand · #15 05-28-2008, 03:12 PM

The strings are about 1 month old...Could they be "dead" or smth weakened? Cos i don't think it's the "brighter" sound you describe..
Well, anyway, practicing muting is good as we both agree

Mushroo · #16 05-28-2008, 03:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ysand

The strings are about 1 month old...Could they be "dead" or smth weakened? Cos i don't think it's the "brighter" sound you describe..
Well, anyway, practicing muting is good as we both agree

It would not hurt to try a different set of strings. It might help with your original problem (buzzy E string) too. Sometimes a string just goes bad

ysand · #17 05-28-2008, 03:24 PM

Yes, i'll try a different set of string shortly

Thanx for all the help!

Rattman · #18 05-28-2008, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JEDI BASS

If you go up the E, one fret at a time, playing hard.... is there one fret where from then on the buzzing ends? If so, you've got a high fret that's causing the prob. It may have only lifted on the E string side. If that's it, tap it back down gently. Or if its a play-wear thing (frets worn down low--very common) then all the upper frets are causing the buzz, and you'll need the frets levelled dressed and crowned.... not cheap but worth it. I've had both of these scenarios happen to me.

Great... great insight here. Those lower frets do wear alot more quickly than the higher frets do. I got so frustrated with this situation and was actually wanting to ship one of my basses out-of-state to get the frets releveled, recrowned, sanded & polished. This is due to the fact that no local luthier would do this for me.. reason? "I'll make alot more money only doing set-ups.." Another one in Orange County: "I have several months back-log before I could get to your Fender" (WHAAAT!! several MONTHS!) The situation was completely unacceptable.. so I did a LOT of research on the web and decided to just teach myself how to deal with it without paying anyone to do it. I bought all the leveling/crowning tools and am happy to report that the Fender turned out just great, as did the Carvin. Next: all the electric guitars I own.. also with worn frets.

I think that 'rounds' really eat up frets pretty fast. Plus the harder you 'dig', the quicker they decay too.. I'm opting to restring the Pbass with flats as soon as I can get back down to Sam Ash again. It does sound like your bass needs those frets releveled/recrowned.. it will sure make a noticable differance.. btw: Every bit, 100% of my buzzing went away. Having the action lowered post fret repair really feels great too...

JEDI BASS · #19 05-29-2008, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattman

Great... great insight here. Those lower frets do wear alot more quickly than the higher frets do. I got so frustrated with this situation and was actually wanting to ship one of my basses out-of-state to get the frets releveled, recrowned, sanded & polished. This is due to the fact that no local luthier would do this for me.. reason? "I'll make alot more money only doing set-ups.." Another one in Orange County: "I have several months back-log before I could get to your Fender" (WHAAAT!! several MONTHS!) The situation was completely unacceptable.. so I did a LOT of research on the web and decided to just teach myself how to deal with it without paying anyone to do it. I bought all the leveling/crowning tools and am happy to report that the Fender turned out just great, as did the Carvin. Next: all the electric guitars I own.. also with worn frets.

I think that 'rounds' really eat up frets pretty fast. Plus the harder you 'dig', the quicker they decay too.. I'm opting to restring the Pbass with flats as soon as I can get back down to Sam Ash again. It does sound like your bass needs those frets releveled/recrowned.. it will sure make a noticable differance.. btw: Every bit, 100% of my buzzing went away. Having the action lowered post fret repair really feels great too...

I guess I'm lucky, 'cause there's 2 guys in town that'll do this for me, anytime. Both have gotten my frets so perfect, that the strings are nearly laying on the frets when I get the basses back. I generally raise the action a bit at the saddles, so I can attack the strings harder, still.... no buzz! A good bass w/ little fretwear won't need anything but an occasional truss tweak and saddle adjustment. But, all the budget basses that I've owned have had fret issues straight outta the box.