Fret Buzzing at 16th/17th Frets

[AJ Brown]

I just took delivery of a 2000 USA Fender P Bass. I decided to stick with the stock bridge vs. the optional BadAssII and adjusted the action as low as I could, to where almost all notes are buzz-free. The only trouble spots are on the A and D strings at the 16th thru 18th frets. Any advice on how to tackle this? The E & G strings are fine at these positions.

Thanks.

[Nelson Guitars]

First thing to check is the level of the frets. If it is buzzing when you fret at the 16-17 then it could be that the 17-18 are higher than they should be. It can also be that the 16-17 are lower than they should be. Don't go grinding until you know.

Next, check the relief. I know people take pride in dead flat fret boards with microscopic action, but relief is your friend. It allows for more aggressive playing without buzz while still allowing low action. You may be able to remove this buzz buy tightening the truss rod sightly. A quarter turn or less at a time. Let the instrument settle in for at least an hour or two and then adjust your action at the bridge again if needed. Check it out a day later to make sure things haven't changed.

BTW. Are these the strings you want to use or just what came with it? If you are planning on any sort of string changes you will want to do the set up with those strings and not the current ones.

Greg N

[topper]

You may be able to remove this buzz buy tightening the truss rod sightly.

I need to look this up, but if you want to add relief shouldn't you loosen the truss rod?

[Nelson Guitars]

I know what I meant. It's just that my fingers didn't type what I wanted to say.
You are correct. Loosen the rod. This assumes the rod is already tight. If you loosen the rod and you still don't get no relief then the neck is already holding it's own with the strings tension and you will need to go to someone with experience to make a correction.

Greg N

[Yellow]

I am not an expert but I would doublecheck the frets as well, for even hight I dropped the action on my bass and discovered a couple of uneven frets I had to file down a touch.
Stewmac has a cool tool for it I just used a small straight edge