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  #1  
Old 10-02-2011, 10:33 PM
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Worst buzzing ive ever heard

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I got a new bass delivered to me today (a rogue vb100) and the strings are way too low, like every fret buzzes and the strings are literally slanted on the neck, I wanted to see if I could fix it myself so I tried the truss rod however when I started to turn it it made a loud creaking noise so I got a bit nervous (ive heard tales of people really messing up their basses like that) should I keep twisting or just return it for another (or something else)?
  #2  
Old 10-02-2011, 10:33 PM
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Maybe try adjusting the saddles instead?
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  #3  
Old 10-02-2011, 10:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Epitaph04
Maybe try adjusting the saddles instead?
I tried adjusting them but it only helped the frets 15 and up
  #4  
Old 10-03-2011, 03:53 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Journey55 View Post
I got a new bass delivered to me today (a rogue vb100) and the strings are way too low, like every fret buzzes and the strings are literally slanted on the neck, I wanted to see if I could fix it myself so I tried the truss rod however when I started to turn it it made a loud creaking noise so I got a bit nervous (ive heard tales of people really messing up their basses like that) should I keep twisting or just return it for another (or something else)?
Why were you cranking on the truss rod? Is there something wrong with the relief?

Riis
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  #5  
Old 10-03-2011, 04:32 AM
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1. Set the strings a bit higher so they clear the frets.
2. Adjust the truss rod so there is a little relief (first and last frets are higher than the middle frets)
3. Check how much buzz you get. Mostly buzz on lower frets=more relief, mostly buzz on higher frets=less relief/straighter neck. Adjust untill it buzzes equally over the entire neck.
4. Adjust string height at the bridge to the height that you prefer.
5. Check buzz again and if you like the playability, adjust where necessary.
6. When you're satisfied, set intonation at the bridge.
  #6  
Old 10-03-2011, 04:56 AM
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Just on a side note and to make sure; you are working the truss with the stings backed off?
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  #7  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:17 AM
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Im pretty sure its the truss rod because the first five or six frets have the strings just lying on the frets, So I took the strings off before I proceeded however when I started turning the truss rod it made a loud creaking noise (is this normal? The only truss rod I've adjusted was on my OLP and it didn't make any noises) that's mainly what stopped me, I don't want to mess up the neck
  #8  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Journey55 View Post
Im pretty sure its the truss rod because the first five or six frets have the strings just lying on the frets, So I took the strings off before I proceeded however when I started turning the truss rod it made a loud creaking noise (is this normal? The only truss rod I've adjusted was on my OLP and it didn't make any noises) that's mainly what stopped me, I don't want to mess up the neck
Okay, we missed a step...checking the relief with strings to pitch...so I'd re-string it, tune up, and see where we are relief-wise before continuing. I'm suspicious the neck may be too straight but let's be sure of the diagnosis before treating. BTW, were you cranking the truss rod nut clockwise or counter-clockwise?

Riis
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  #9  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:31 AM
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sometimes it's normal because the truss rod tends to 'lock up' when it's not moved a long time, especially on a cheap bass like rogue.
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  #10  
Old 10-03-2011, 06:44 AM
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There are some very workable suggestion here. Yet, I think you need to be realistic in what you could accomplish with the level of quality in both wood & workmanship.

You can't be disillusioned unless you have illusions in the first place.

A Rogue is a very "entry-level" Bass that has very little quality in it's manufacture. You may be able to use it to learn the fret-board, scales, and basic elements such as tempo & cord structure but it will not preform in a manner that even a low priced Mexican instrument from a large firm would. I think you need to be reasonable in your expectations of what a "Rogue" can do.
This is why often at that price-point a buyer should consider pushing his spending just a bit higher to get an instrument with a higher level of all around quality.
  #11  
Old 10-03-2011, 10:43 AM
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You can't be disillusioned unless you have illusions in the first place.

Quote:
Yet, I think you need to be realistic in what you could accomplish with the level of quality in both wood & workmanship.
A Rogue is a very "entry-level" Bass that has very little quality in it's manufacture.
A charitable way to put it.

OP: read the stickies on setup. And consider, as you said, "or just return it for another (or something else)?" Something less disposable.
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  #12  
Old 10-03-2011, 03:15 PM
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Well, I'm not the richest fellow (pretty poor 17 year old actually) but I'm just gonna return it for another one...however, my main bass (5 string OLP) has a bit of a problem the same way, the string make a buzzing noise when hit with out fretting any notes...every fretted note is fine
  #13  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Journey55 View Post
Well, I'm not the richest fellow (pretty poor 17 year old actually) but I'm just gonna return it for another one...however, my main bass (5 string OLP) has a bit of a problem the same way, the string make a buzzing noise when hit with out fretting any notes...every fretted note is fine
I think that's a smart way to go.
If the buzz doesn't blast through when amplified; I'd live with it and enjoy your 5 string.
It's important to be reasonable with a musical instrument. When you pay for an instrument you often pay for a combination of overall quality of workmanship, level of wood quality and electronics.
When those elements are distinctly out of balance we can find remedies that may have a deep pay off. But when they coincide and are on par with one another, the small steps toward what's desirable for our own style of playing have marginal returns. I'm not saying [not] to chase down a problem, just not to expect miracles from other than what you have on the end of your wrists and in your guts.

And that's NOT to say you shouldn't seek an answer - but yet be reasonable. There are some very skilled craftsmen that can work wonders with an instrument and there are those that are very intuitive in their customizations, but it's always what comes out of the amp when you actually play - that really counts. Most people I know have bought items that they thought would make a greater difference than their chops could at the time. And I'm as guilty as they come!

Most everyone goes through periods where they find faults with their Bass. Some folks get carried away and seek from hardware what could be supplemented via technique & find greater rewards.

If you have a playable Bass; it's in your best interest not to buy another lower priced Bass. But rather, hang on to that money and eventually you'll have enough to get into professional-level quality. Don't let the money burn a hole in your pocket for something you already own. Even as a young man, you'll eventually get some money that will get you a serious, professional-level instrument. And that's when you'll have a grounding of technique to make it worth your time. Making a $250 Bass sound great with technique alone is not only possible, it's a great achievement & investment of your time & effort. Then, when you DO have the money to buy a serious instrument you'll have played enough to make a buying decision that could last decades.
Your soul & hands make more music than any steel & wood. Your patience & perseverance in practice give you more than you could ever buy at one of those "large retail music stores".
Please believe what I'm saying becasue most everyone over a certain age has been there in one way or another.

Last edited by john grey : 10-03-2011 at 05:31 PM.
  #14  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:46 PM
JLS JLS is offline
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A Wise and Calmly Reasoned Post, from John Grey!

Especially this: "Some folks get carried away and seek from hardware what could be supplemented via technique & find greater rewards."
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  #15  
Old 10-03-2011, 08:07 PM
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You guys have been very helpful, and apparently the G string was ringing past the nut (so I just put some paper there to fix that problem) an the other string were fixed by adjusting the saddles. I actually have the Rogue because I use the OLP for metal (so it's tuned up [to Drop B]) and I heard that switching timings a lot can have adverse effects on the bass (not to mention I wanted the VB100 anyways) so I got the Rogue for when I play with some friends with classic rock and such
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