Yet Another Buzzing Thread

TPugh · #1 01-26-2010, 08:48 PM

I have yet another buzzing question. I've done the searches and ultimately, I'm going to my luthier as soon as I can make the trip. Until then, I thought I'd give all of you a little case study and get your thoughts.

I am getting a buzz in one note (very close to the E) on my D and A strings. This only occurs in this note and only when I play pizz. It's way worse when I play the string with my right hand up a bit higher on the fingerboad versus right at the end. In other words, when the string is played a bit lighter with the right hand, it's worse. But, if it's played more forcefully, it's not as noticable.

I'll try to describe the problem a bit more specifically by saying that when I hit the string the note begins, then the buzz, then the buzz ends, then the note ends. Another thing: The buzzing comes and goes. Sometimes, I can't get it to do it at all, so I'll forget about it. Then, I'll be playing and there it is.

I can't tell exactly where it's coming from. Sometimes it seems the loudest at the neck joint, but then I can also put my ear up to the peg box and hear it there too.

Also, when you apply just the very smallest amount of pressure to the very end of the FB, the buzzing stops. Even if you just barely touch it. My first thoughts were that the FB had loosened from the neck, but there's nothing noticable. Plus, I had some (very good) work done on the neck not too long ago and the FB should be secure.

I am still relatively new to the instrument so if I have not described something or referred to something appropriately, allow me to apologize in advance. Thanks.

TPugh

William Hoffman · #2 01-27-2010, 12:58 AM

can you think back to any particular point in time when you first heard the buzz? or was there a time when it wasn't there?

was there any major change or adjustment made on the bass about that time? for example, you mentioned having some FB work done, and also that according to your explorations of the buzz, it might be somehow FB related...

good luck. it's sometimes difficult to locate the source of a buzz.

uprightben · #3 01-27-2010, 05:47 AM

Sounds like you need a fb dressing...

TPugh · #4 01-27-2010, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by William Hoffman

can you think back to any particular point in time when you first heard the buzz? or was there a time when it wasn't there?

was there any major change or adjustment made on the bass about that time? for example, you mentioned having some FB work done, and also that according to your explorations of the buzz, it might be somehow FB related...

good luck. it's sometimes difficult to locate the source of a buzz.

I did not notice the buzzing for quite some time after the work, therefore I don't consider them to be related. I should have added in my first post that it started after a string change. I started out with Spirocores on the bass, then I went to gut. Then, just for a short stint, I changed back over to Spiros. I noticed it immediately after the Spiros were reinstalled. Then, when I changed back to gut, I continued to notice it, just not as bad and not as often. That's quite a swing in terms of tension and yes, I've learned my string-changing lesson. Could this be related?

I can "play around" the buzz and in a bluegrass setting, I don't hear it at all. It's just that I know its there and I don't want it to be possibly an underlying issue related to something major.

Thanks,
TPugh

BTW, is it likely a dressing issue if it is occuring in same note on different strings?

Cody Sisk · #5 01-27-2010, 07:19 AM

I know the focus is on the fingerboard but have you eliminated all the other possible buzz causes? Open seam? Endpin issues? Loose pickup rattling on the top? Loose tuning machines? Something loose on the inside? Sometimes a buzz can be sympathetic in vibration like a snare drum when you play the right note near it. It wouldn't be wise for me to get out my fingerboard planes and scrapers before carefully checking everything else..

Paul Warburton · #6 01-27-2010, 07:42 AM

Compliments on the clarity of your posts, TP.

This sounds similar to a buzz on a students bass last month. We put the inspection mirror with a light down under the fingerboard where it's glued to the neck near the joint. There was a small drip of glue that had squeezzed out from clamping. It had dried out and was flapping around. It was very small, but like yours, we could hear it up by the scroll when we played the bass. I just popped it away with a knife.

TPugh · #7 01-27-2010, 08:53 AM

As clear as I've tried to be, there's something else (sorry). Now that you mention it, sometimes when I'm inspecting the sound and I slightly tug the very end of the fingerboad back and forth, I hear a very very faint "crunching" or "crackling" kind of sound. Again, nothing is visibly loose or seperating. Still this makes me really wonder about the dried glue possibility.

I have inspected all of the other usual suspects. I don't have a pickup, my tuning gear screws are all snug, the buzz occurs with the endpin totally removed, and all seams seem to be tight. Hope this helps.

Thanks all,
TPugh

Paul Warburton · #8 01-27-2010, 09:03 AM

I'd try to live with it for now and, like you said, get it to your luthier ASAP. Board may need some re-glue down there.

Jack Clark · #9 02-01-2010, 11:40 AM

If and when you do actually zero in on the fingerboard itself as the source of the buzz, you might try rubbing a stick of chalk on the underside of the offending string(s). Where it contacts the board during a buzz, you should see a chalk line. I've had some luck with this, but then actually fixing the buzz once you've located it is another thing.

farmerdude · #10 02-04-2010, 08:34 AM

Good call Paul....
I'm having a similar problem with one of my plywoods....the buzz was driving me crazy so I took it to a reputable luthier here in town...he jumped right in to the dressing process....well- he failed to measure the original scoop- failed to recognize the gut strings- and presented me with a straight board- no scoop...now I buzz EVERYWHERE...but now he tells me its my playing style and I should switch to a different string....so I dont have time to argue stupid points with this guy

- and take the bass elsewhere......I'm getting to my point here sometime......turns out the board has come loose (loose glue) and needs to be popped off and reglued....but now I need an entire new dressing (2nd time) to boot....so yes, check out everything else first......ok I feel better- I needed that............ rant off....

oh..this is my bad weather bass so its been out in 0 degree- temps in the back of my truck (camper shell)....this prob made the glue curl back up and hide - mine the pun....

TPugh · #11 02-04-2010, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the feedback everyone. Farmerdude, was the issue with your board and the glue right at the joint or elsewhere up the neck?

The reason I'm asking is because upon inspection, nothing appears visibly wrong nor feels loose especially at the joint. Dumb question but could the problem be somewhere up the neck that's unseen?

TPugh

farmerdude · #12 02-04-2010, 10:59 AM

Mine is a bit loose down at the heal....can scrape out glue with a razor blade....not sure that is THE problem but its gonna get reglued regardless.........i would assume the neck would break if the board popped off...?

TPugh · #13 02-04-2010, 11:25 AM

Gotcha. Thanks. Hope that's the source and you can get it taken care of. My board, again, appears to be glued solid in all areas. No stray dried glue pieces either. I'm luthier-bound this weekend.

TPugh

Jake deVilliers · #14 02-04-2010, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farmerdude

Mine is a bit loose down at the heal....can scrape out glue with a razor blade....not sure that is THE problem but its gonna get reglued regardless.........i would assume the neck would break if the board popped off...?

The neck wouldn't break Dude, just bend. Until you released the string tension that is.

farmerdude · #15 02-04-2010, 07:02 PM

Thanks Jake thats good to know...

TPugh · #16 02-05-2010, 09:26 PM

Here's a quick update for what it's worth to anyone. Since the buzzing goes away by applying even minimal pressure to the end of the FB, I was advised to try and weigh down the end of the FB to try and balance everything out.

I went to my local sporting goods outfitters and purchased weighted lead tape which is a golfing accessory. I applied several pieces to the back of my FB and at first, I thought the buzzing had stopped and it had, but just at that note. Unfortunately it showed up in a different position. Before, it was buzzing at or near the E position on my D or A strings. Now, it's at the D note. If I hit my open D string, there it is...same buzz. Kind of a rattle really

It's like you can not only heard it but you can also feel it coming from within the vibrations (if that makes sense).

ASAP it's off to the luthier.

Thanks,
TPugh

edge83 · #17 09-29-2010, 01:39 PM

Just curious if your luthier found the problem- what you are describing is EXACTLY what i'm noticing with mine.. even the specific change spirocores and the specific note (around e) on a and d strings. My luthier is not available til next week, so i'm just curious as to what the solution ended up being. Thanks.

3ddi3 · #18 10-30-2010, 04:21 PM

Had the same problem. My luthier just put some glue under the FB at the bottom and of the neck. Problem solved.... If you push down a bit on the bottom end of your FB and the buzz stops it's most likely the same thing.