specific buzz that will not go away

LowEndLarry · #1 05-03-2011, 09:21 PM

Hey guys, I was wondering if you can take a minute to help me out?

So I have j bass and I have this fret buzz that will not go away from the 2nd fret on the a string. My nut height is good, my relief height is passing requirements (.015") as well as my action (5/64"). I haven't worked out pickup height or string length to an exact number but they both seem reasonable and I don't think either would cause buzzing under normal circumstances.

Is this just a normal part of my bass? I mean I get clicks and clacks playing hard in the immediate area but its not comparable to the buzz I get playing the 2nd fret. I get little to no buzz doing light to medium down strokes but even a reasonable alternate picking sets this guy up to rattle away.

I don't think its a worn fret, I got it new about 3 years ago and have treated it well since then. It's been buzzing for about 2 and a half years or so and after trying enough setups and just living with it, I am having a hard time dealing with it.

I haven't changed my strings since I got it though. But it doesn't seem characteristic of old dead strings just to sound terrible on a specific fret ?

Any help would be appreciated.

tjh · #2 05-03-2011, 10:58 PM

Any time I have a suspicious buzz coming from the A string, I always check the downward angle from the nut to the tuning peg .. if you dont have enough windings on the post to create a nice angle from the nut, the A string can buzz ... make sure you are winding from top to bottom, and then try to push the stack down as it tightens to insure your angle is as sharp as possible ... I generally leave/cut the A string disproportionately long to allow for this ... try that and see if it helps ...

lethargytartare · #3 05-03-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjh

Any time I have a suspicious buzz coming from the A string ...

Definitely agree to start there ^^^

Also remember that new basses don't always have perfect frets. If you get buzz in one spot (in this case, the 3rd fret? from you description the buzz goes away when you fret the 3rd?) you should check the fret to make sure it's still seated. If you have a short straight-edge, you can check to see if it's higher than the 2nd (a little rocker test) under the A string.

If it were across all 4 strings, I might suggest a pinch more relief. Or I might suggest "action's too low for the weight of your playing style," but not for one fret, one string.

And in the ranks of "odd stuff" sometimes strings are inconsistent enough to have bad spots -- you could try a different string.

Try some things out, let us know what you find...

ltt

Turnaround · #4 05-04-2011, 07:55 AM

Since you indicate that the problem exists when fretting at the second, I doubt that the problem is the string angle at the nut or the number of winds on the tuner post. They would come into play on an open string.

I would check for the levelness of the frets 1 through 4 with a straightedge. Ideally you should use a straightedge that spans just three frets and see it it rocks over the centre fret of the three. Move 1 fret along and check again for rocking.

Floyd Eye · #5 05-04-2011, 08:10 AM

You got a high fret.

LowEndLarry · #6 05-04-2011, 08:40 AM

Update.

So I like I said, my bass plays awesome at every other fret and open string besides when played at the 2nd fret on the a.

I checked out the nut angle and it looked fine to me but I tested it anyway putting various degrees of pressure above the nut so the string is forced at steeper angles, no effect on the buzz what so ever.

I am not sure if I did this 100% correctly but after visual inspection and testing around with a straight edge my 2nd fret and all others seem to be fine as well.

So i did some more tinkering and noticed something that might help. I tuned my a string roughly about a half step up from standard and I could play just about as violently as I wanted with the weird extra buzz pretty much gone. So maybe its just that the a string is just vibrating too wide for its own comfort and maybe just a heavier gauge string could fix the problem ?

bwest9 · #7 05-04-2011, 08:46 AM

Try DR Lowriders strings, stainless steel or nickel to taste. They have a hex core which produced extra tension which allows you to get closer action without the buzzing.

lethargytartare · #8 05-04-2011, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowEndLarry

...I tuned my a string roughly about a half step up from standard and I could play just about as violently as I wanted with the weird extra buzz pretty much gone....

You probably got a good look when checking the height of the 3rd fret, but make sure you also checked to see if it's in its slot solidly -- if it's loose, it could be shifting around during your tests, giving you odd results -- e.g. when you put a straightedge on it, it would get settled in, appearing fine. And when you overtune, you compress the wood and keep it really locked in place. If it is a loose fret, a tiny bit of superglue could clear it up.

If you have any different sets of strings, just try a different A in there. I had that happen on a guitar after a complete refret -- buzz...drove me nuts. Swapped strings, buzz gone.

Don't give up -- there's no reason you should have to play a different gauge of strings just to avoid buzz on one fret on one string.

lethargytartare · #9 05-04-2011, 01:21 PM

Oh, and one other recent episode that isn't directly relevant, but fits the "odd buzz" class.

I releveled the frets on a parts-bass for a buddy. Felt good about the results, strung it up -- 2nd fret is causing buzzing. Strip it down and, with ill-advised impatience, give the frets another run with the file to redo the leveling. Feel good about it, restring -- 2nd fret is causing buzzing. I checked it, and it wasn't loose. How, I have no clue. Unfortunately I don't recall if I did a straight-edge/rocker check on it. Frustrated, I set it aside for a few weeks. Then I got my resolve to file that fret down and get the thing done, so I get everything out, check the relief, and quickly run through the frets, and -- no buzz. Anywhere. Not a peep from the 2nd fret. So I do some fine tuning on the nut, drop the action as low as I can, and the damn thing was perfect. For a jumble of parts, I was able to get the action down below my personal playing zone, and it's perfect (well, not serious-pro-perfect, but as good as I've done on any of my instruments). (you might be able to find my original post about it here in the repair forum)

So what was the issue? I have no clue. Probably never will either. Can't be the nut (noise was apparent when I was fretting at 1, not open), I didn't change the strings, I didn't mess with the fret itself...ugh...

So just a reminder not to overreact, run through your setup basics, and the non-invasive things to try, but if you think something aggressive is required, maybe sleep on it for a while first

LowEndLarry · #10 05-04-2011, 06:35 PM

Do you happen to have a good link on how to properly check your frets?

lethargytartare · #11 05-04-2011, 09:33 PM

I think this is too expensive, but this page gives a lot of info on checking individual frets for height.

STEWMAC.COM : Fret Rocker

for looseness, it's really just looking close, try lifting an edge, push down on it with something, and watch for any motion - there should be none at all.

LowEndLarry · #12 05-05-2011, 10:15 AM

Thanks for link, after watching that product demo I get how to do it.

But i discovered that specifically near the a string on the 2 fret i get rocking when i test the straight edge on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fret. so bummed, i don't know how to fix this big of problem.

lethargytartare · #13 05-05-2011, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LowEndLarry

Thanks for link, after watching that product demo I get how to do it.

But i discovered that specifically near the a string on the 2 fret i get rocking when i test the straight edge on 2nd, 3rd, and 4th fret. so bummed, i don't know how to fix this big of problem.

Well, don't be bummed -- knowing the issue gets you closer to knowing what needs to be fixed!

A couple more things to check:

Check 1-2-3, and 3-4-5. If the 3rd fret is high, then you should see a gap under your straight-edge above the 2th fret (when checking 1-2-3) and a gap under your straight-edge above the 4th fret (when checking 3-4-5). Sounds tedious, but you don't want to start filing down one fret only to find out it was a neighboring LOW fret... So then, if it IS #3 that is high, you can try tapping it down -- use something that won't dent metal or the fretboard. Try the plastic handle of a hefty screwdriver, or the wood end of a handle. Make sure you have something supporting the neck directly below the 3rd fret, and then give that end of the fret a few good sharp taps. And keep an eye on the other edge of that fret (before and after you tap the fret) to make sure you don't just pop THAT edge up (like a seesaw). Or, if tapping makes you nervous, just put a good amount of downward pressure on it.

If that all makes you nervous, or doesn't help, you can always see what a tech would charge to adjust it -- since you have a good idea what the issue is, they should be able to discuss options with you.

Keep us posted!