No big deal or bad idea?

[bass dan]

I have a annoying buzzing d note on my a string. I can see where there is a little groove from playing that particular note quite often. I had the same thing happen on the g note on the d string and had my luthier plane it out for me.
My luthier works about a hour south of me and i have a gig tomorrow and Friday and no shot at getting down there. I was thinking that maybe i could use some sand paper to smooth this one spot out my fingerboard.
No big deal or bad idea? I can live with the mwahh if i have to but i would rather not.
Any advise would be welcome. If sanding is a option what grit paper would ya'll suggest?

[fstasiak]

Your post reminded me of this:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8PhzrmBgMI

But really, maybe it would be good just wait and have a luthier look at it.

[Square Bear]

play open d's on your gig. see a luthier when you get a chance.

[bass dan]

I thought that may be my answer. thought i would ask and if it was no big deal i would go ahead and do it. guess i'll wait till i can get to Jacksonville.

Nice link to the "good idea/bad idea" compilation.

[William Hoffman]

Originally Posted by bass dan

I have a annoying buzzing d note on my a string. I can see where there is a little groove from playing that particular note quite often. I had the same thing happen on the g note on the d string and had my luthier plane it out for me.
My luthier works about a hour south of me and i have a gig tomorrow and Friday and no shot at getting down there. I was thinking that maybe i could use some sand paper to smooth this one spot out my fingerboard.
No big deal or bad idea? I can live with the mwahh if i have to but i would rather not.
Any advise would be welcome. If sanding is a option what grit paper would ya'll suggest?

had a similar situation. asked luthier, who told me i could do it myself using about a 200 grit for starters, finishing with 280. making long lengthwise swipes and cross-wise. careful not to sand the strings! it was a short term fix. so: good idea

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

280? I've done it myself, but start with something like that and finish with 600 or finer. Nice to use a bit of linseed oil to lube the paper. Use a block at first.
Still better to have a pro do it.

[George700DL]

Originally Posted by William Hoffman

had a similar situation. asked luthier, who told me i could do it myself using about a 200 grit for starters, finishing with 280. making long lengthwise swipes and cross-wise. careful not to sand the strings! it was a short term fix. so: good idea

If it was me, I'd take the strings off first

George

[bassics1975]

I really wouldn't do something like that myself on a better quality instrument. I 'dressed' a fingerboard as a teenager on my Grunert plywood and ended-up making the situation worse.

I get those buzzes from time-to-time myself. Try taking a very thin piece of card stock and placing it under the problem string at the saddle for now.

[bass dan]

I think i will wait till i can get it to my luthier, it's not that bad, just annoying. maybe it won't amplify too much?

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Originally Posted by bassics1975

I really wouldn't do something like that myself on a better quality instrument. I 'dressed' a fingerboard as a teenager on my Grunert plywood and ended-up making the situation worse.

I get those buzzes from time-to-time myself. Try taking a very thin piece of card stock and placing it under the problem string at the saddle for now.

Nut.

[Square Bear]

Originally Posted by bassics1975

I really wouldn't do something like that myself on a better quality instrument. I 'dressed' a fingerboard as a teenager on my Grunert plywood and ended-up making the situation worse.

I get those buzzes from time-to-time myself. Try taking a very thin piece of card stock and placing it under the problem string at the saddle for now.

this fix will not work in the situation the OP described. it would work if the problem was with an open string from the nut being cut too low. in this case it will only make the action on his a string really annoying and probably continue to buzz when playing the stopped d.

[robobass]

Originally Posted by Square Bear

this fix will not work in the situation the OP described. it would work if the problem was with an open string from the nut being cut too low. in this case it will only make the action on his a string really annoying and probably continue to buzz when playing the stopped d.

+1! Why do some people insist you can cure buzzing by raising the nut? Does making the bass harder to play cause the buzzing to be less noticable?

To the question, I will sand out my board myself when I have some very minor grooves in the lower positions. I remove the strings and nut first. If you aren't comfortable doing this, better to tough it out until you can get to your luthier.