wierd buzz

funkout5 · #1 09-01-2009, 09:39 PM

i was playing my '08 MIA jazz today and when i hit the open D there was a horrible buzz...

so i play it again, and its gone

i start playing again... is there again

so i do some investigating and figure out that the buzz is only there when i'm fretting the 10th fret or higher on the A string

its still there when i play unpugged and it souds higher pitched then your standard fret buzz

any thoughts?

StingrayDerek · #2 09-01-2009, 09:41 PM

something similar happened to my friend so he raised his string, not sure if this is the same but you could try.

lethargytartare · #3 09-02-2009, 07:08 PM

Sometimes there can be a loose bridge saddle screw that will vibrate at certain frequencies that could be the culprit. Check by playing to get the buzz, then lay your right hand across the saddles to make sure none of them can move.

I've also had basses with loose tuner heads where one would vibrate at certain frequencies.

If it's a fret, check for the buzz as you note at each fret up the board. You can isolate it to a single high fret, or a point at which the frets start to ramp up this way.

Check back when you've tried a few more things. Happy hunting!!

GassieBall · #4 09-02-2009, 07:58 PM

Is there enough tension on the spring of your saddle screw? In basses where the intonation has not been setup properly and the saddles are moved too far toward the neck, the spring is not compressed enough so that it can vibrate at certain frequencies against the screw thus causing a buzz.

XylemBassGuitar · #5 09-03-2009, 11:09 AM

You could also try raising the action of the A string slightly.

How much relief does the neck have?

widowbassmetal · #6 09-03-2009, 12:52 PM

I had a similar problem with a loose strap holding screw.... used a piece of a toothpick
to tighten the joint....

funkout5 · #7 09-03-2009, 03:10 PM

i tried raising the action on the D string and it helped a little, but i would have to have it rediculously high to get rid of the buzz completley

i can tell it is definetly not coming from the bridge, it sounds like it is coming from a fret, but i don't get why it would only be there when i'm fretting on the A string

funkout5 · #8 09-17-2009, 03:55 PM

i put a new pair of strings on toady and its still there.

walterw · #9 09-17-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funkout5

i was playing my '08 MIA jazz today and when i hit the open D there was a horrible buzz...

so i do some investigating and figure out that the buzz is only there when i'm fretting the 10th fret or higher on the A string

so you fret the A string up high but play the open D?

i'll bet it's "back-buzz", where the string buzzes from the fret behind the note you're holding back to the nut. it's usually faint, but can be annoying.

funkout5 · #10 09-23-2009, 06:09 PM

[/QUOTE=walterw;7975118]so you fret the A string up high but play the open D?[/quote]

yes

funkout5 · #11 09-23-2009, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by walterw

i'll bet it's "back-buzz", where the string buzzes from the fret behind the note you're holding back to the nut. it's usually faint, but can be annoying.

but then why would it only be there when im fretting on the A string?

Jack Clark · #12 09-23-2009, 06:16 PM

If you haven't already, check the tightness of the screws in the knobs of each of your tuning machines. It'll only take a minute and that might do it.