Strange buzz

[scsm]

I recently had my bass adjusted (truss rod, new strings, and silicon on the frets) and I just got it home and there's a strange buzz on the 6th and 8th fret of the B E A string and the 8th fret on the D and G string when I play at a medium aggressiveness or harder if that makes sense.

What could be causing this, is it just the new strings? I've had the bass for about 7 years and never had this problem. Or should I go back and make him fix the truss rod again?

[tobie]

I would take it back and let him adjust the truss rod with your playing inbetween. Everyone's attack is different on the guitar, so one setting is not for all. By doing the above, he can set the guitar to suit your style of playing.

I had a friend playing my bass last night. He's a much better player than I am (well, that's what I thought). It sounded horrible IMHO, specially in the beginning - lots of buzzes & rattles. I took over from him later on and it sounded the way it should. Just figures...

[scsm]

Thats what I get for having someone else adjust my bass. I use to do it myself but I got lazy and figured it had been about 4 years since I had a "pro" do it so it'd be in better hands.

[scsm]

Okay so I went to the guitar repair guy again and after messing with the bass we discovered the buzzing the string rattling on the section down the neck from your fretting hand, and its only when you are playing on frets 6, 8 and 11 on B, E, and A

If that doesn't make sense. I'm fretting an Bb on the E string and the section that has F-A there is some kind of buzz.

He said he's never run into this through adjusting the height of the strings, changing strings, and adjusting truss rod it fixed it a little but its still there on the E string.

I've had this bass for around 7 years and it just started after he made a small adjustment to the neck and put new strings on it.

ANY help would be appreciated.

Its a 5 string Warwick Rockbass Corvette.

[202dy]

A few thoughts:

If you play this guitar a lot, there is a good chance that the problem is in the frets themselves. There could be some high or low frets. Or they could be improperly seated. Or the problem could be that through wear there are high and low spots. A fret dressing will take care of some of these problems. Reseating the frets remedy the others.

Silicone in the shop is bad juju, Bwana. When silicone gets on a finish it will make touch-ups and refinishing frustrating and difficult at best and a nightmare at worst. Plan for the nightmare. You should be wary of any tech who uses this chemical.

[scsm]

I'm just confused on how its never happened before and then when I get the neck adjusted and new strings it sounds terrible. Would the fret issue be unnoticed until something about the bass changed?

[202dy]

Originally Posted by scsm

I'm just confused on how its never happened before and then when I get the neck adjusted and new strings it sounds terrible. Would the fret issue be unnoticed until something about the bass changed?

Lacking hard data on the two set ups, it's hard to diagnose the reasons. It's too late for that now.

Fret work on production instruments is spotty. Sometimes it's excellent. Sometimes not so good. A talented tech can adjust string heights, radius, and neck tilt to accommodate a high spot or two. If the new set up is lower, or if the radius at the bridge has changed (whether corrected or just wrong) it will highlight these flaws.

At this point, precision straight edges should be used to check the fret heights under each string at each fret. That will show if there are any problems in the frets. Before doing that, the frets should be inspected to discover any spots where the fret is not properly seated or if a fret end is "popped" above the finger board. The radius at the bridge should be checked to insure that it is the same as the radius of the neck. That radius should be a bit higher on the bass side to allow for the wide vibrational pattern of the thicker strings.

One last thing to consider: If the string height is lower than before, an aggressive playing technique could exacerbate the problem.

[scsm]

Originally Posted by 202dy

One last thing to consider: If the string height is lower than before, an aggressive playing technique could exacerbate the problem.

We actually had to put it higher to get rid of the buzz almost to the point where its uncomfortable. Just to clarify because it was confused to the tech too when I was describing it over the phone. The buzz is caused by the plucked string from the headstock to the point of where your hand is fretting. This still would for sure be a fret issue?

The reason I'm ask I'm a poor college kid and can't afford to much poking around my bass.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by scsm

The buzz is caused by the plucked string from the headstock to the point of where your hand is fretting. This still would for sure be a fret issue?

I think you simply need to re-wind the strings on the tuners, so that they pull down more tightly into the nut slots.

[scsm]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

I think you simply need to re-wind the strings on the tuners, so that they pull down more tightly into the nut slots.

Completely changed strings; it didn't do it AS bad but the buzz was still there.

But its an idea and I'll try that.

[dmusic148]

Like this?

[scsm]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Like this?

Thats a great diagram!

I'm at work right now but I'll check when I get home.

[scsm]

No the strings were fine they looked perfect. I even redid them and still the same thing.

[tobie]

Some high-tech luthiers solve this kind of problem by adjusting the fret heights (by filing some of them away), but this is usually quite expensive. I don't believe it's needed in your case, as it's been OK before the setup.

I've solved a similar problem (coincidentally also after a paid setup) by lowering all strings to it's lowest possible level (on the bridge). I then slackened them a few steps and tightened the truss rod until all strings were laying flat on the neck. I then slowly relaxed the truss rod until the gap between strings and neck was about 2-3mm. I then tuned the guitar and started playing. It was perfect after one or two minor bridge adjustments on the 2nd & 4th strings. This is not for the faint hearted though - it took some courage, sweat & prayer (and perhaps a bit of luck?)!

[202dy]

Originally Posted by scsm

Thats a great diagram!

I'm at work right now but I'll check when I get home.

You are quite welcome.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by scsm

We actually had to put it higher to get rid of the buzz almost to the point where its uncomfortable. Just to clarify because it was confused to the tech too when I was describing it over the phone. The buzz is caused by the plucked string from the headstock to the point of where your hand is fretting. This still would for sure be a fret issue?

The reason I'm ask I'm a poor college kid and can't afford to much poking around my bass.

That is pretty important information.

No. That condition is known as back buzz. There are a couple of reasons for back buzz. Sometimes it is cause by incredibly low nut slots. However, most often it is the direct result of the neck being in a back bow. Back buzz can also occur if there are deep ruts in the frets. Check your neck.

The only other reason for it is technique. If your left hand is not resolute when playing aggressively your strings can buzz behind the hand.

Let us know.

[wildhorse]

Originally Posted by scsm

Thats what I get for having someone else adjust my bass. I use to do it myself but I got lazy and figured it had been about 4 years since I had a "pro" do it so it'd be in better hands.

1/4 turn on the truss rod... to the left.

Just a thought. I've got to do that on my Strat too.
I've been playing it for sometime without using a little more relief with no problems. Our guitarist played it the other night and said the strings buzz. Yeah the low E string if you hit it harder than I do... But now it bugs me and I know just a tad relief will fix the problem even for him.

[scsm]

Originally Posted by 202dy

That condition is known as back buzz. There are a couple of reasons for back buzz. Sometimes it is cause by incredibly low nut slots.

Although they weren't obviously low we raised the nut slots and that did the trick, no more buzz.

Thanks everyone!