I have some buzzy frets

Andrew.Glose · #1 04-09-2008, 05:07 PM

Hi guys,

I've got some buzzy frets (3rd, 5th, 9th, and 13th). My action's very low, and before, this wasn't noticable. This is a fairly cheap bass that has been serving me well, for the most part.

No other frets buzz. How do I take care of this without re-fretting my whole board, and if I have to, how much would it cost, generally?

Thanks,

Andrew

Stellar Blues · #2 04-09-2008, 05:20 PM

since it's spread out like that, maybe you just need to raise the action at the bridge

maybe your neck has tightened (warped) a bit due to changes in humidity

tjclem · #3 04-09-2008, 05:32 PM

on all strings?

Andrew.Glose · #4 04-09-2008, 05:50 PM

yes, on all strings, but predominantly on the A. I use it a lot for chording.

(I'm on a 5 tuned EADGC)

alexgeddy · #5 04-09-2008, 05:56 PM

hi,

I have had similar problems with high frets....what I did was take the bass to a luthier and he did a basic fret leveling and reseat of the frets. It made a world of difference. For him to do this was about 75 dollars. Just a caution.....find somebodey you have confidence in even if you have to pay a little more because a bad fret job will ruin your bass playability and cost you more in the long run....

Hope this helps

Bill

Nelson Guitars · #6 04-09-2008, 06:45 PM

$75 is cheap! You are a lucky man or there really wasn't all that much wrong with it.

Buzzing frets can come and go on some instruments. Humidity, string tension/age can have an effect as well as how it is stored (hanging from the head, leaning against a wall, in the case). There are many things that can influence this. The easy user friendly solution is more action height. Unless you really know what you are doing please leave the fret dressing to those who have been trained to do it right. Even at that "perfection" is an elusive thing. The closer you get to it the smaller the flaw that is noticed.

Greg N