Too much buzz on a Pentabuzz....

[pmaraziti]

Hi guys,

I’m here asking some help because I’m a bit confused. Since some days I’m the proud owner of a Pedulla Pentabuzz that already had won me over in terms of sound. It’s a second hand bass from year ’97 and it didn’t come with an Owner’s manual that I have already requested through a Pedulla dealer.

One question I’d like to get your help in advance is about the buzzing I’m getting on the D and G strings on the 2nd / 3rd line (equivalent to the low E/F of the D string) of those strings. If I understand Pedulla website recommendation, the right countermeasure should be to adjust action through neck relief, is that what you also think is necessary. My reluctance comes from the fact that by doing this also the B E A strings will have higher action and this is not what I’d like to happen, so far I think that should adjust the neck and then work on saddles height to bring the all strings to right action, is that correct ?

Thanks a lot in advance,

Paolo

[badgrandad]

If you like the action where it is and the only place you are having buzzing is on the first few frets, you might try building the nut slot up on the D and G string. I would first loosen the string and place a single layer of thin tape in the groove and tighten the string and see if that cures the problem. A permanent solution is to put a small drop of super-glue in the nut slot and then file it down to the height you want, just be careful not to get the glue on the bass elsewhere.

[Bardolph]

Originally Posted by badgrandad

If you like the action where it is and the only place you are having buzzing is on the first few frets, you might try building the nut slot up on the D and G string. I would first loosen the string and place a single layer of thin tape in the groove and tighten the string and see if that cures the problem. A permanent solution is to put a small drop of super-glue in the nut slot and then file it down to the height you want, just be careful not to get the glue on the bass elsewhere.

The only reason to raise the nut would be if the string buzzed against the board when played open. If it's only buzzing when fretting a note, which I think is what he's saying, then the nut isn't the issue, seeing as nut height becomes ineffective on string action as soon as you fret a note.

[badgrandad]

True (Bardolph), I wasn't really thinking about the difference if it were open vs a "fretted" note.. I also was not considering the possibility that there may be some fingerboard irregularity from wear or due to the fretlines themselves.

If the "buzz" is not consistent at the same place from string to string and you don't want to put more relief in the neck, then you are probably stuck with raising the action at the bridge on the offending string(s).