Why am I getting buzz on ONE fret only?

[kjpollo]

One of my basses has JUST developed a very annoying buzz at the 17th fret.
My band plays Free's "ALL Right Now" which has a part thats played up there and its driving me crazy!

The 18th-20th frets are fine and the buzz gets less and less noticeable as I move back down the neck to the point that its pretty much gone by the 13th fret. It also doesnt seem to affect the E string very much.

Could a fret suddenly be sprouting upward? This is very weird- I've never encountered it on any other bass I've ever owned.

We havent really had a severe temperature/humidity swing though it was definitely a bit warmer around here the last few days.
Any ideas?

[zeroncali]

Sorry I cannot answer your question, but I am subbing to this because I have a similar problem. But it is on the 5th fret of my A string and that is the only buzz on the neck.

[vinxbass]

Could be a bad string.

[Yvon]

probably a high fret

[zeroncali]

My problem has existed with 2 radically different sets of strings. (Rotosound TruBass 88s and Ernie Ball Slinkys) So ,for me at least, I don't think that is the problem.

High fret is what I was thinking, how much would getting fret dressing done typically cost?

[251]

Originally Posted by kjpollo

One of my basses has JUST developed a very annoying buzz at the 17th fret.
My band plays Free's "ALL Right Now" which has a part thats played up there and its driving me crazy!

The 18th-20th frets are fine and the buzz gets less and less noticeable as I move back down the neck to the point that its pretty much gone by the 13th fret. It also doesnt seem to affect the E string very much.

Could a fret suddenly be sprouting upward? This is very weird- I've never encountered it on any other bass I've ever owned.

We havent really had a severe temperature/humidity swing though it was definitely a bit warmer around here the last few days.
Any ideas?

If the fret is high, a 6" ruler will rock over it a tiny bit. Test it with a straight edge.

If it's not high raise the bridge a little until the Season has changed where you I live in MA & the last week has been temps in the 50s. Spring is definitely in the air.

[kjpollo]

Originally Posted by 251

If the fret is high, a 6" ruler will rock over it a tiny bit. Test it with a straight edge.

If it's not high raise the bridge a little until the Season has changed where you I live in MA & the last week has been temps in the 50s. Spring is definitely in the air.

I'm in CT so I know what you mean about the temps changing but my basses arent stored where the outside temp would have an impact and AFAIK my wife hasnt opened the windows in our bedroom during the day.

I've noticed that the problem is at its worst on the D and A strings. The G isnt bad and I dont notice it at all on the E.

I found a short straightedge and I'm not noticing any "rocking".

I was going to change strings on this one soon anyway-maybe tonight's the night.

Any more ideas?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

I'm taking my bass in for just this reason tomorrow. It's happened to me several times in the past- it's always been a fret issue, usually because of humidity changes due to using the heat during winter.

[kjpollo]

Originally Posted by Bryan R. Tyler

I'm taking my bass in for just this reason tomorrow. It's happened to me several times in the past- it's always been a fret issue, usually because of humidity changes due to using the heat during winter.

Bry- who does your fretwork?

[zeroncali]

I just checked and my buzzing is coming from my 5th fret being low. How much should it cost to get a complete fret dressing?

[Bryan R. Tyler]

Originally Posted by kjpollo

Bry- who does your fretwork?

Ken Nash in New London- he has a repair shop called The Guitar Mechanic. If your bass only has one fret that needs hammering/dressing, it would probably be a simple job that just about anyone could do for little dough.

[tobie]

Originally Posted by kjpollo

One of my basses has JUST developed a very annoying buzz at the 17th fret. Any ideas?

May I ask the obvious (silly?) question - have you tried lifting the strings at the saddle a bit?

[kjpollo]

Originally Posted by tobie

May I ask the obvious (silly?) question - have you tried lifting the strings at the saddle a bit?

Not yet- I never got to do the anticipated string change last night and I was going to tweak the bridge a little as well.

Not sure if I'm going to be able to get back into it tonight either- a health issue with my dad popped up this morning and I think he's heading back to the hosp.

[jeffwo]

I would tend to think that you have a single low fret as opposed to having a high fret problem.

[251]

Originally Posted by jeffwo

I would tend to think that you have a single low fret as opposed to having a high fret problem.

Good thought. Back to the straight edge & look for daylight. 8-)

[Jools4001]

If the bass buzzes at the 17th fret, and only the 17th fret, it is most likely because the 18th fret is too high.

It could possibly be that the 17th is too low but it's unlikely becaue wear on frets up at the dusty end of the fretboard is much less prevalent.

As an outside chance it could be that you have too much relief on the truss rod, but that would usually affect all frets above the 17th

[Pilgrim]

Having one high fret leveled cost me $30. Well worth it.

[Nerotic]

How much would a complete fret levelling cost?

[Ilikejazzbass]

Why is this thread still running? Either the string is slightly bent on that one fret which has happened to my guitar or the fret is jacked up and needs to be filed with or whatever.

[kjpollo]

Problem solved for now.
I raised the height of the A & D saddles and the buzz is gone.

Just wish I knew why it appeared so suddenly. One day it was perfectly fine and the next day, buzz city!

Thanks for all the help/suggestions guys!