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Gretsch BroadKaster bass Buzzing problem

JCKA

JCKA

Guest
Sep 6, 2013
38
20
#1
Dear all,
I just recently got a G6119B broadkaster bass.
As I was playing this bass, I found that the E string and A string buzz quite a lot, especially when I am fretting 7th or higher frets.
It is more severe with the E string.
I am not sure whether it is normal that there is such severe buzz.

I therefore check whether there are high frets through out the fretboard.
I used the fret rocker from StewMac. The frets are pretty leveled up to around 15-16 frets. There are some high frets closed to the higher fret. But it is not too bad IMO.

At this point I am not sure whether the buzz is caused by low action or the high frets. Or I just played too harsh....??

Could you please share with me what is your experience with this type of issue?

Broadkaster owners, could you please share with me whether you have buzzing problems with your bass?

Thank you all so much. I hope that my descriptions are clear.
 
#5
Yes, I have one, too. And, yes, it had buzzes; quite a few, actually. And several rattles, as well. Anyway, for what it's worth:
1. Have your frets leveled. I hesitate to say have a good tech do a proper set up as well, because finding/fixing the noises will most likely screw it up. Fix the buzzing first.
2. If the frets are not the problem, check the tailpiece. Sometimes the back edge, where it comes up over the body, will cause buzzing noises. Mine did; a small piece of foam tape as far back as possible under the tailpiece fixed that one. Make sure all the screws are tight, too.
3. Check the bridge and the saddles. This type of bridge is a notorious rattler; Gretsch guitar players b**ch about it a lot. The usual solution is a tiny rubber O-ring on the head of each adjusting screw (yes, you can get them that small; Lowes or Home Depot will have them). Mine did this, too.
4. The pickups. You didn't say if yours is new or not; depending on the age, the 2 little pieces of foam rubber that the pickups sit on can dry out, and fall apart (yes, mine had this problem, too). If so, they need to be replaced. Most people use a cut-up mouse pad for this, since they're the right thickness and a good density for the purpose. Ckeck the pickup rings, too.
5. Wolf tones. Gretsch's are notorious for this, and, you guessed it; mine does this, too. A piece of felt, rubber, or something woven through the strings, between the tailpiece and the bridge, will make them go away. There's a guy on one of the Gretsch forums who makes custom leather dampers for the problem (and his name escapes me at the moment).
6. Knobs and switches. Make sure the locking nuts are tight; this has driven some people crazy, trying to find this buzz! This is about the only problem I haven't had with mine.
7. Stuff inside the body. These are more of a rattle than a buzz, but sometimes loose wires will make noises that can be hard to find. There are several kinds of sticky stuff that will fix this problem (I used RTV silicone on mine).

When you find and fix the buzzing, then get a good set up on it, and enjoy your Broadkaster. And I'm Owner's Club member #66, by the way. :)
 
#6
GIBrat51 said:
Yes, I have one, too. And, yes, it had buzzes; quite a few, actually. And several rattles, as well. Anyway, for what it's worth:
1. Have your frets leveled. I hesitate to say have a good tech do a proper set up as well, because finding/fixing the noises will most likely screw it up. Fix the buzzing first.
2. If the frets are not the problem, check the tailpiece. Sometimes the back edge, where it comes up over the body, will cause buzzing noises. Mine did; a small piece of foam tape as far back as possible under the tailpiece fixed that one. Make sure all the screws are tight, too.
3. Check the bridge and the saddles. This type of bridge is a notorious rattler; Gretsch guitar players b**ch about it a lot. The usual solution is a tiny rubber O-ring on the head of each adjusting screw (yes, you can get them that small; Lowes or Home Depot will have them). Mine did this, too.
4. The pickups. You didn't say if yours is new or not; depending on the age, the 2 little pieces of foam rubber that the pickups sit on can dry out, and fall apart (yes, mine had this problem, too). If so, they need to be replaced. Most people use a cut-up mouse pad for this, since they're the right thickness and a good density for the purpose. Ckeck the pickup rings, too.
5. Wolf tones. Gretsch's are notorious for this, and, you guessed it; mine does this, too. A piece of felt, rubber, or something woven through the strings, between the tailpiece and the bridge, will make them go away. There's a guy on one of the Gretsch forums who makes custom leather dampers for the problem (and his name escapes me at the moment).
6. Knobs and switches. Make sure the locking nuts are tight; this has driven some people crazy, trying to find this buzz! This is about the only problem I haven't had with mine.
7. Stuff inside the body. These are more of a rattle than a buzz, but sometimes loose wires will make noises that can be hard to find. There are several kinds of sticky stuff that will fix this problem (I used RTV silicon on mine).

When you find and fix the buzzing, then get a good set up on it, and enjoy your Broadkaster. And I'm Owner's Club member #66, by the way. :)
Click to expand...

:eek:

Is yours one of the newer Japanese made ones?
 
#7
Sorry; didn't mean to scare you! No, mine is a post-Baldwin, pre-FMIC model, made in 1994. It is Japanese-made, though, and probably from the same Terada factory that still makes them. Really, other than the pickup mount problem (which is age related), all the other stuff seems to occur pretty regularly with new Gretsch guitars and basses, if the threads on the Gretsch forums are any indication. Not on every single instrument, of course, and certainly not with all the possible causes of buzzing/rattling. Mine sat neglected in a store room for about 12 years before I got it, which certainly didn't help it any. And, I don't think for a minute that it's a problem with Gretsch's quality. It's a problem with the design. A brand new hollowbody Gretsch is still essentially a 1950s design, with all the quirks and problems that go with that. I have a couple of 40+ year-old hollowbody basses and guitars that aren't Gretsches; they have exactly the same problems (except the pickup mounts). This is just the way they are, and what you had to deal with back in the day. Simple as that. :)
 
#8
Thank you all for your helpful comments.
Mine is a new one. I think it is made in 2013 in Japan.
The first two digits in the serial number is 13.

After I checked around, I am pretty sure the buzzing is the fret buzzing, not from the tail piece or bridge.

The action was set quite low. So, the E string might be in contact with those higher frets, when I play slightly harder.

I am a little bit surprised to find high frets in such expensive instrument. Maybe it is normal?? I don't know.

But thank you all for your feedback.
 
#9
You can adjust the bridge. Just give the upper screw a little turn so it moves up a tiny bit. 0,5mm first, then move. Loosen the strings a bit so you actually hear them moving one wind up. Then tune again. Should work, I strung mine BEAD so I have a bit'o fret buzz on the low b string but only when not playing it well. I use picks and fingers only. This bass ain't made for slap, neither are my ears, let alone my hands.
 

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