worn out strings = fret buzzing?

[slipkorn917]

i've had the same strings for the past year or so on my bass, and i've been constantly tuning up and down on them from E to A to B and all that, but recently i've noticed i have a lot of buzzing in my frets. not sure if this is a truss rod problem or a string problem, but i think a string change could probably improve this? thanks in advance.

[Ewo]

There are some good stickies in the bass guitar forum, concerning basic setups.

I ain't saying it's impossible for the strings to be the cause, but IME fret buzz is a setup problem.

A couple considerations:

1. Buzzing on all strings?
2. Buzzing all up and down the neck?
3. Buzzing just in the first five frets? Just above the twelfth fret?
4. Buzzing only on a particular fret?

Hope that helps!

[slipkorn917]

mostly buzzing on the first few frets, like the first 5 or so, on all strings but especially on the E string.

[Ewo]

Do you know how to check neck relief?

Buzzing only in the first five frets can be an indicator the neck is too flat, and needs a little more relief. Or that the nut is cut too low, but IME that tends to occur on only one string at a time. (I.e., a particular slot was cut too low, or the slot wore out. It's a possibility if you're detuning and retuning a lot.)

Read the setup sticky, and get a good sense of how the fretwork, nut, neck relief, and bridge saddle height interact. It'll be time well spent!

[two fingers]

Tuning up and down like that puts many varying tensions on your neck. I would imagine you need a good setup. If you are going to tune up and down like that you should probably learn how to do basic setup stuff yourself. A drastic change in tuning requires a neck adjustment (unless you have a really stiff neck) and intonation set at least, and maybe a bridge height adjustment to keep things equal with your other tuning setups. But READ A LOT before you start turning a truss rod! There IS a point of no return on them and you can damage something.

[Pilgrim]

It's not the strings. None of mine on a dozen basses are less than a year old, and they range in age from 2 years to 40 years.

It's the setup.

[Solarmist]

Originally Posted by slipkorn917

mostly buzzing on the first few frets, like the first 5 or so, on all strings but especially on the E string.

Buzzing on the 1st 5 frets would indicate a slight bit of back-bow. Change those ancient strings, and then check your neck relief.

Hold down on the 1st, and last fret (pinky) simultaneously while reaching your thumb up the G string as far as you can, and lightly tapping down. See if there's a slight gap from string to fret.