Quick question on fret buzz.

gonzorob · #1 02-04-2009, 07:29 AM

Just got a squier J in a trade and when I got it a slapped on some flats that I once had on a p bass. The E string was buzzing on all frets except for the first 2 or 3. Worst buzz is on the 5th fret. A string gets a hint of buzz around this area too. I have adjusted the rod and saddles to varying degrees and it gets a little better with adjustment, but not much.

So the question is, what do I have here? High Fret? Trashed Neck? Bad Strings?

I was thinking it is a fret issue, but I haven't had a chance to measure the fret heights yet. If this is the case, can someone recommend some materials to file and polish the fret myself. Its a player so it doesn't have to look pretty, just be functional.

thanks!!

gonzorob · #2 02-04-2009, 08:32 AM

Update:

This still could involve a high fret, but I was able to take *most* of the buzzing out by adding considerable relief to the neck and raising the string heights a bit. Action is super high right now, but I play like a caveman so that isn't a problem, but it still doesn't seem right. Neck shim maybe?

JLS · #3 02-04-2009, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzorob

Update:

This still could involve a high fret, but I was able to take *most* of the buzzing out by adding considerable relief to the neck and raising the string heights a bit. Action is super high right now, but I play like a caveman so that isn't a problem, but it still doesn't seem right. Neck shim maybe?

Why do you think a neck shim would help? You, "play like a caveman", but you're concerned about fretbuzz?

For that matter, high action and a lot of relief =Jamerson. The Best. Ever.

gonzorob · #4 02-04-2009, 08:49 AM

I am used to a certain amount of buzz, but this seemed a little excessive. Plus the action is now higher than it is on my other basses. I just want to get it set up right.

Stevem627 · #5 02-04-2009, 09:29 AM

You might just need a new nut...the slots may have worn down some.

gonzorob · #6 02-04-2009, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevem627

You might just need a new nut...the slots may have worn down some.

I was wondering about this. I read somewhere one time about how to tell what the problem is, by finding out where the buzz is on the strings. Mine tends to buzz anyhere up the neck past fret 3 on the E string. Is that generally the symptom of a bad nut?

Widdershins · #7 02-04-2009, 10:48 AM

First off...use a new set of strings if you are trying to determine what is wrong with your bass.

Quote:

Originally Posted by gonzorob

Mine tends to buzz anyhere up the neck past fret 3 on the E string. Is that generally the symptom of a bad nut?

No. Once you put pressure on the string and make it contact the fretboard or fret, the nut is eliminated from the equation.

You added relief and string height and it still buzzes? Your frets are not level.

Also, a neck shim is only needed when you have run out of room adjusting the height of the saddles.

gonzorob · #8 02-04-2009, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Widdershins

First off...use a new set of strings if you are trying to determine what is wrong with your bass.

No. Once you put pressure on the string and make it contact the fretboard or fret, the nut is eliminated from the equation.

You added relief and string height and it still buzzes? Your frets are not level.

Also, a neck shim is only needed when you have run out of room adjusting the height of the saddles.

short, informative, and to the nut of the thing. Thanks!!

gonzorob · #9 02-04-2009, 11:39 AM

Oh yeah, i've got some sharp fret edges too. Any help on the type of file i need? What do I use to polish them up once I am finished?

thanks again.

XylemBassGuitar · #10 02-04-2009, 11:58 AM

You can use steel wool to polish the frets. Start with #000 wool then go to #0000--that will add a nice shine to the frets. You might want to use a LOW-TACK tape (like painter's tape) to tape off the fretboard in between the frets (especially if you have a maple fretboard w/ urethane finish) before you start polishing.

If you've only got a few sharp fret ends, I would recommend using a fret-end dressing file (you can get them at StewMac.com) and filing the ends individually. Make sure you put some low-tack tape around the fret end while filing to protect the neck, fingerboard and finish of the bass from the file.

File from the top of the bevel to the edge of the fret (where it meets the neck). Go slow and be careful when you are filing down the fret ends...it can be easy to slip and scratch the bass.

If all of the fret ends are sharp, you might want to see if another guy on TB has a better idea...doing each fret with the fret-dressing file is time-consuming.

gonzorob · #11 02-04-2009, 12:32 PM

Thanks for the info!