A wierd string buzz on the G

[Skywalker83]

Ok , so i was setting up my new bass today (a 5 string, its brand new), I gave it a quick play before I set it up , just to see of any initial problems, and found that the g- string had a real bad case of buzz, on the open string and for the first 8 or 9 frets.

So i did the setup, neck seemed fine, adjusted the bridge etc etc. all good...no. The buzz is still there for the g-string! there is not a hint of buzz on any other string on any fret, just the open G string and the first 9 frets of it.

So i did some further inspection and discovered the g-string nut notch to be a bit low, so i packed it with a few strips of electrical tape and adjusted the saddle slightly to see if that made a difference...nope , none !

I've spent most of the morning fiddling with it and its none the better.

Anybody got any other ideas as to what it could be? could it need a minor truss adjustment?

I was already planning on changing out the nut anyway as it's a really cheap one, but not till nearer or after new year. So for the time being i need something thats playable!

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Skywalker83

Ok , so i was setting up my new bass today (a 5 string, its brand new), I gave it a quick play before I set it up , just to see of any initial problems, and found that the g- string had a real bad case of buzz, on the open string and for the first 8 or 9 frets.

So i did the setup, neck seemed fine, adjusted the bridge etc etc. all good...no. The buzz is still there for the g-string! there is not a hint of buzz on any other string on any fret, just the open G string and the first 9 frets of it.

So i did some further inspection and discovered the g-string nut notch to be a bit low, so i packed it with a few strips of electrical tape and adjusted the saddle slightly to see if that made a difference...nope , none !

I've spent most of the morning fiddling with it and its none the better.

Anybody got any other ideas as to what it could be? could it need a minor truss adjustment?

I was already planning on changing out the nut anyway as it's a really cheap one, but not till nearer or after new year. So for the time being i need something thats playable!

Sounds like the neck needs a little forward bow, and the action to come up. If that's not it, a partial level/recrown, maybe. Using aluminum U-channel & sandpaper, you can chase down problems like this one, with the bass strung & at pitch.

[Skywalker83]

Ok i've spent some more time making adjustments and i've mangaed to get the fret buzz down to just the 5th to the 9th frets and a little bit on the open G-string. i turned the truss rod a 1/4 turn and loosened it, and re-adjusted the bridge. the rest of the strings are still fine aftre th eadjustments. i'll play it for a few days to let the adjustments settle in, then have another look at it if its still as bad.

[Skywalker83]

Ok after a day or so, and a bit more adjusting the buzzing on the G is still no better.

Then about 20 mins ago i looked at the nut from a different angle that i hadn't prevoiusly , looking down the neck from the headsotck end...now i think I've discovered what the problem is (see pic)!

Underneath the nut there is a wedge shaped bit of wood, which causes the nut to slope from the low B down to the G. I am unsure if this is a manufacturing flaw by Westfield or its supposed to be like this (although i can't imagine why it would be like this). As you can see from the picture, the nut seems to just be floating underneath the G and D strings. Although it still seems odd why there is no buzz on the D string, only the G.

Anyone got any suggestions as to what to do next?

[Skywalker83]

Here's a closer view

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Skywalker83

Ok after a day or so, and a bit more adjusting the buzzing on the G is still no better.

Then about 20 mins ago i looked at the nut from a different angle that i hadn't prevoiusly , looking down the neck from the headsotck end...now i think I've discovered what the problem is (see pic)!

Underneath the nut there is a wedge shaped bit of wood, which causes the nut to slope from the low B down to the G. I am unsure if this is a manufacturing flaw by Westfield or its supposed to be like this (although i can't imagine why it would be like this). As you can see from the picture, the nut seems to just be floating underneath the G and D strings. Although it still seems odd why there is no buzz on the D string, only the G.


Anyone got any suggestions as to what to do next?

And firmly request that they make it right.

As soon as you're fretting a string, the nut is out of the buzz equation, barring back-buzz, between the fretted note, and the nut.

A cursory search shows this to be an entry-level instrument; you DO get what you pay for. I see many imports with loose/popped/uneven frets.

[Skywalker83]

But the fact that the nut is clearly sitting at an angle would suggest to me that the G -string is sitting lower than it should and the nut end, thus giving me buzz on the open string and 1st - 9th frets.

I've gone over the frets with a straight edge to check for high frets and the frets are all fine.No wear and tear (its a brand new bass, there shouldnt be)

This nut problem is the only thing i can find wrong with the bass, and apart from that buzz the bass plays fine.

Unfortunatley i dont have the leasure of returning the item (an ebay buy...leason learned).

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Skywalker83

But the fact that the nut is clearly sitting at an angle would suggest to me that the G -string is sitting lower than it should and the nut end, thus giving me buzz on the open string and 1st - 9th frets.

I've gone over the frets with a straight edge to check for high frets and the frets are all fine.No wear and tear (its a brand new bass, there shouldnt be)

This nut problem is the only thing i can find wrong with the bass, and apart from that buzz the bass plays fine.

Unfortunatley i dont have the leasure of returning the item (an ebay buy...leason learned).

Capo the bass at the first fret. Still buzzing up to f9? The nut is out of the equation; tha means that it's not the nut, it's a relief/fret issue. If you want to keep beating your head against this unyielding wall, be my guest.