My bass is buzzing, help please

[TJoji]

I've just started playing bass and I've recently purchased a Yamaha RBX 374.

My question is, when I strum the strings hardly it tends to rattle. My friend said that it was normal and that the string's are just not seasoned but is it?

[kalipigeon]

There are several probable causes for this:

1. Your strings may just be tuned so low that they don't have much tension on them...though this probably isn't the problem if you're using a tuner or matching a piano or keyboard.

2. Your bridge may be set to too low of an action, and when the strings vibrate they're hitting the frets, this will take someone who knows how to adjust it to fix.

3. Your neck may be bent slightly in the wrong direction, and this will take a truss rod adjustment, which will also take someone who knows how to make that adjustment.

The best bet is for you to have someone who knows instruments, either a friend who really knows instruments, or preferrably a good guitar tech at your local guitar store help you diagnose the problem. Its never too early to meet (and start learning from) a professional guitar/bass tech. Hope that helps you some, and good luck with the bass.

[TJoji]

haha,
thanks for the advice, really appreciate it!

[MarkTAW]

Just confirming - when you say "strum" you don't mean you're strumming all the strings at once like a guitar right?

All the things the other guy said, if you put your ear close sometimes you can figure out where the rattle comes from.

To know if your neck needs to be adjusted, hold down the string closest to you at the first & last fret. Then check how much space is between the 7th fret and the strings. Is there enough room to slide a thin pick in there? A thick pick? If there's no room, the neck needs to be adjusted. If there is room, then possibly the bridge needs to be adjusted.

I once had a rattle I tracked down to a loose/defective tuning peg, which I removed, bent into shape, and stuck back on my bass. Gotta love Fenders that way - so user accessible.

[markjazzbassist]

Originally Posted by kalipigeon

There are several probable causes for this:

1. Your strings may just be tuned so low that they don't have much tension on them...though this probably isn't the problem if you're using a tuner or matching a piano or keyboard.

2. Your bridge may be set to too low of an action, and when the strings vibrate they're hitting the frets, this will take someone who knows how to adjust it to fix.

3. Your neck may be bent slightly in the wrong direction, and this will take a truss rod adjustment, which will also take someone who knows how to make that adjustment.

The best bet is for you to have someone who knows instruments, either a friend who really knows instruments, or preferrably a good guitar tech at your local guitar store help you diagnose the problem. Its never too early to meet (and start learning from) a professional guitar/bass tech. Hope that helps you some, and good luck with the bass.

+1

great advice. Also, Welcome to Talkbass.

[TJoji]

the strings rattle cause they touch the frets when they are being pluck...lol I'm gonna go to the shop tomorrow to get it adjusted.
anyway, thanks for the response!

[embellisher]

This is almost certainly a technique issue, and not a problem with the bass or the strings.

Might I suggest at least one lesson with a teacher? It will do you a world of good.

[Chriso21]

i like to get my bass serviced every 6 months or so. That would make sure its not the bass's fault.
Chris