setup help please, I can't work out the issue.

BarkerBass · #1 07-13-2011, 06:14 AM

Hey guys,

I have a fender jazz with a maple block and bound jazz neck, I should say straight away that I like low action, play with a ramp, light touch etc so a bit of buzz is acceptable BUT...

The bass (or should I say the neck?) has an obscene amount of fret buzz on the G string on the 2nd-4th and 5th frets.

The other strings are all fine and all accomodate a low action, low eough at least while the G string is higher than the rest and still has this problem. it's like when you have your truss rod too tight and the top frets on the neck "fret out" and make that slapping clanking buzz instead of ringing properly but this is at the low end of the neck and only on 1 string

I'm usually pretty good with set ups but this one has me guessing.

Do any of you have any ideas as to how I could solve this and prevent my 3rd 4th and 5th frets on the G string from being essentially display purposes only?

Cheers, BB

AwkwardLoudness · #2 07-13-2011, 06:31 AM

More info needed...

What are the string gauges used? How are the strings tuned? What is the distance between each string and the fretboard at the 12th fret?

Bob C · #3 07-13-2011, 06:34 AM

Is the G string nut groove too deep?

BarkerBass · #4 07-13-2011, 07:10 AM

I'm pretty sure these are lights gauge 40-100 nickels tuned to standard E-G tuning.

As close as I can get to accurate measurements, sorry no real rulers in this flat apparently... are as follows:

at 12th fret:
E string is approx 4mm from bottom of string to fret
A string is the same as the E
D string is approx 3mm from the frets
G string is approx 2mm (but feels further...)

Anyway I hope this info helps, I was wondering if the nut slot could be to blame?

Slowgypsy · #5 07-13-2011, 07:35 AM

Is this a "new" instrument? Or has this condition recently developed on an instrument you've played for some time?

AwkwardLoudness · #6 07-13-2011, 07:42 AM

Check the nut at the G slot, first. The nut may need replacement.

Otherwise, I'd try swapping the strings with a balanced tension set from Circle K.

It's possible that the neck is warped, in which case a new neck would be desired.

SGD Lutherie · #7 07-13-2011, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarkerBass

The bass (or should I say the neck?) has an obscene amount of fret buzz on the G string on the 2nd-4th and 5th frets.

Your sixth fret might be too high under the G string. Which ever it is, it sounds like uneven frets or fingerboard.

How do you have the neck adjusted? Is it straight or do you have some relief in it? If you do, how much?

Lo-E · #8 07-13-2011, 08:06 AM

I agree with David here. Either you have a high sixth fret or a slight hump in the fingerboard around the fifth and sixth.
Because it's a finished board, the fix would be the same in either case:

First, try to to work it out with a simple neck adjustment. Just a bit more relief may be all that's needed.

If that doesn't do it, you'll need to file the sixth fret down to match the height of the surrounding frets and re-crown and polish it. If this type of work is beyond your scope, a qualified luthier should be able to do it while you wait and for a reasonable price.

Best of luck with it-
E

BarkerBass · #9 07-13-2011, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lo-E

I agree with David here. Either you have a high sixth fret or a slight hump in the fingerboard around the fifth and sixth.
Because it's a finished board, the fix would be the same in either case:

First, try to to work it out with a simple neck adjustment. Just a bit more relief may be all that's needed.

If that doesn't do it, you'll need to file the sixth fret down to match the height of the surrounding frets and re-crown and polish it. If this type of work is beyond your scope, a qualified luthier should be able to do it while you wait and for a reasonable price.

Best of luck with it-
E

Thanks guys, a few quick questions though.
I'm fairly used to truss rod adjustments and this problem is one I tried to solve with slight adjustments (thinking it might have been brought on by weather changes) but these didn't seem to do anything for it.

I'll try adding some relief, I just fretted the G string at the 1st and 15th fret to try and see what relief was in it an there was a very slight gap but barely a gap at all, so the neck seems very flat, probably too flat.

it's strange as the G-string saddle on the bridge (bada$$) is almost as low as possible while the rest are noticeably higher without creating a drastically different action... might not matter at all but I find it interesting lol

I'll give this a try and report back.

Oh and are there any quick ways of testing if the nut slow is too low?

Cheers

SGD Lutherie · #10 07-13-2011, 08:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BarkerBass

Oh and are there any quick ways of testing if the nut slow is too low?

The standard test is to fret the string at the 3rd fret and see how much clearance you have between the string and the top of first fret. You can press the string down with the other hand to see.

You want a small gap. Not touching the fret, and not a lot of space either, or your fretted notes will be out of tune, and harder to play in the first positions.

BarkerBass · #11 07-13-2011, 09:02 AM

I think your diagnosis of a high 6th fret was correct,

I decided that after an increase in relief and no improvement to give fret filing a try.

I'm fairly handy (and like learning new skills) so whipped out my metal needle files and electronic tape to protect the neck and had a go at filing the 6th fret, very cautiously, little by little

After several restringings and testing the buzzing had significantly decreased and now it's negligible, no more than any other string or fret. If I play hard it just "frets out" but only if I really welly the strings and with my usual lighter touch this isn't going to happen.

I've attempted to crown the fret as best as I can but polishing is out of my reach for now.

As a quick fix it's worked wonders, I will send the bass for a fret dress and setup in the future so until then I can cope with a non polished fret as long as it works

Thanks for all the advice guys.

Any further tips on crowning frets and such is appreciated.

Cheers, BB

Lo-E · #12 07-13-2011, 10:51 AM

Once you've reshaped the fret as well as you can with the file, you can simply use #0000 gauge steel wool to polish the fret. Be sure to cover the fingerboard with tape so you don't scratch up the finish.
-E

slaphappychappy · #13 07-13-2011, 08:41 PM

Big buzz atfrets 2-3 generally means you either need to back the truss off a bit or raise that string slightly. I would raise the string first, but if that didn't work then adjust truss.
Also the groove in the nut could be a little low, I would test it by popping in a little bit of newspaper , wet and pack it into the groove wit a small flathead screwdriver, then put the string back on. Its MacGyver tactics, but will tell u if that's the problem. It may dampen the string open, but helps. I've had it happen on basses where whoever did the nut has cut a groove a little too low and while all the other strings were fine, one was not. Its not permanent but will get u playing again if it is the case.