Strange buzz on Fender Jazz Fretboard

[MichiBass]

Hi,

I have a strange buzz on my Fender HWY1 Jazz Bass Fretboard. It's a kind of fret buzz, but not a fret buzz, let me explain.
I play a medium action and the bass has been at a repairman for a pro setup. He dressed the high frets, but he did not dressed the low frets (no need, it buzzed only in high positions).

The Buzz :

When I press the 5th fret on the D string I get a fret buzzish sound, BUT it's not fret buzz, because it does not start when I pluck, it starts later, like after the bass begins to vibrate. It's hard to explain, but the buzz comes a moment after I pluck the string. Then, The same buzz is on the 3rd, 4th and 6th fret of the same string, but a lot less, almost noticeable (I repeat, the buzz starts after I pluck the string, it's not normal fret buzz). Then, I get the same buzz when I pluck the 5th fret on the A and G strings, but very hardly noticeable, and only if I pluck very hard, so not worth mentioning. I have no buzz on the first frets, only on the named fret above.

What's the cause? I guess it's kind of wood resonance on the G note, but it's only on that G, not on the others Gs on the fretboard. I have looked the fretboard along and have not seen a high or low fret. I also tried to measure the distance between the string and the 6th fret (when the 5th one is pressed down), and compared it to others and it looks the same. The neck has the right bow, everything else is ok...

Anyone else experienced this problem?
Any solutions for it?
Is the only solution to raise the action?
How can I measure if I have a high fret, without having any tools at all?

I'm curios what it can be...

Thanks

Michi

[Joshua]

3 thoughts:

1) How new are the strings? As strings wear they flatten out on the bottom where they hit the frets. Perhaps the string has done this at the 5th fret and is now sitting just low enough to cause a little buzz.

2) Sometimes there can actually be a minor amount of buzz behind the fretted note, can you tell if that might be the case?

3) Any reliably straight, flat item that can bridge 3 frets can potentially help find high frets. Perhaps a good, small metal ruler? Most hardware stores have them.

And of course, it's worth measuring the relief to ensure that it is where you want it.

[MichiBass]

Originally Posted by Joshua

3 thoughts:

1) How new are the strings? As strings wear they flatten out on the bottom where they hit the frets. Perhaps the string has done this at the 5th fret and is now sitting just low enough to cause a little buzz.

2) Sometimes there can actually be a minor amount of buzz behind the fretted note, can you tell if that might be the case?

3) Any reliably straight, flat item that can bridge 3 frets can potentially help find high frets. Perhaps a good, small metal ruler? Most hardware stores have them.

And of course, it's worth measuring the relief to ensure that it is where you want it.

1. Strings are pretty old, I'm gonna change them soon, but I checked, and all frets left marks on the strings, and I didn't played ONLY that note on my bass (), but I'll change them soon and I'll let you know.

2. No, I know what you mean, but the buzz is on the 6th fret for sure.

3. I think I'm gonna buy a metal ruler

Thanks Joshua!

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by MichiBass

1. Strings are pretty old, I'm gonna change them soon, but I checked, and all frets left marks on the strings, and I didn't played ONLY that note on my bass (), but I'll change them soon and I'll let you know.

If possible, I would do this first. Older strings can do funny things. Also note that we are talking about tiny fractions of an inch of wear that can make the difference (under the string). Visually comparing the marks might not tell you much.

Originally Posted by MichiBass

2. No, I know what you mean, but the buzz is on the 6th fret for sure.

Understood.

Originally Posted by MichiBass

3. I think I'm gonna buy a metal ruler

It can definitely be a help to discover such fret nuances. As an example of what you might look for, head over to the Stewart McDonald website and note what they offer for each application. Not necessarily to order one (I see that you are not in the US), but to make a judgement call on what to get there.

Originally Posted by MichiBass

Thanks Joshua!

De nada, it's what we're here for!

[Turnaround]

FWIW, stings don't vibrate in a single simple arc as you might imagine. Vibrations also travel along the length of the string in fracttions of the overal vibrating length. There's a nice applet that shows this, here:

http://www.falstad.com/loadedstring/

When the string is first plucked, it starts vibrating in a single arc, but soon the partials start moving up and down the length of the string. When this happens, the string may start touching frets that it wouldn't if it were vibrating in a simple pattern. That's why the fret buzz comes later.

In the end, though, fret buzz is fret buzz. You need to systemmatically eliminate all possible causes. But Josh is right - start with new strings.

[carlos840]

I would change the strings! I noticed that even new strings can do that sometimes, maybe an error in the winding or something!
Already had the same problem with brand new strings, was going mad, changed them and it was gone.

[Fernando F]

two of my basses make a strange buzz too... I don´t know if it is the same that happens to your bass. My Yamaha BB414, make a buzz when I play at the 7th fret on the G string and press the E string on the same fret. I feel that the E string vibrates and makes the buzz... I´m not sure but maybe the neck needs some relief... Anyone experienced anything like this?

[Joshua]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

FWIW, stings don't vibrate in a single simple arc as you might imagine. Vibrations also travel along the length of the string in fracttions of the overal vibrating length. There's a nice applet that shows this, here:

http://www.falstad.com/loadedstring/

When the string is first plucked, it starts vibrating in a single arc, but soon the partials start moving up and down the length of the string. When this happens, the string may start touching frets that it wouldn't if it were vibrating in a simple pattern. That's why the fret buzz comes later.

In the end, though, fret buzz is fret buzz. You need to systemmatically eliminate all possible causes.

Much wisdom.^^^

Originally Posted by Turnaround

But Josh is right - start with new strings.

Your check is in the mail.

[MichiBass]

New strings are up, buzz is still here. I have to go to a tech...