Crazy buzz on open A string

[PJFanatic]

For a while my A string has been buzzing even if I don’t press any frets down. It mainly happens when I pluck it really hard and I’m not sure what’s causing it. I’ve gotten my nut replaced and action readjusted for a separate problem and I’m wondering if it has something to do with the bridge. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jeff62]

It may or may not be the string. It could be something vibrating sympathetically with the string. Play the string hard and lightly touch different components until you locate the source (eg, knobs, bridge saddles, strings behind the nut, etc)

 

[PJFanatic]

It may or may not be the string. It could be something vibrating sympathetically with the string. Play the string hard and lightly touch different components until you locate the source (eg, knobs, bridge saddles, strings behind the nut, etc)

Its defined something behind the nut, putting my finger right behind the nut stops it. I don’t know if it’s the nut itself because I just got it replaced and it was doing so beforehand. I might just need to get a fret wrap. Thanks!

 

[Zooberwerx]

Its defined something behind the nut, putting my finger right behind the nut stops it. I don’t know if it’s the nut itself because I just got it replaced and it was doing so beforehand. I might just need to get a fret wrap. Thanks!

Pics will help but in the meantime:

*Adequate break angle, 3+ wraps. A string retainer may help.

*Set witness points at machine head post, nut slots, bridge saddles.

Riis

 

[Matt Liebenau]

What bass is it? Getting a good break angle on the A string can be problematic on basses with a Fender style headstock. The A should head down towards the headstock with an angle similar to the D and G if you’re looking at it from the side.

 

[Docduval]

Is it a tuner?

 

[PJFanatic]

Is it a tuner?

Definetly not a tuner, I’ve tightened it and nothing is wiggling.

 

[lowplaces]

Long shot, but make sure the truss rod nut is snug.

 

[Karl Kaminski]

clip-on tuner? my Korg Clips will vibrate on certain notes

 

[Theobald]

If it is a Fender, this might help: Fender stealth string retainer

 

[Chris Wilke]

I think your answer is in post #5 above

..Assuming Fender style bass, but given your screen name I'm guessing that's probably a safe bet .

There are other things it could be, but that's where to start.

 

[monsterthompson]

I had a similar issue with an open string buzzing and found I didn’t have enough downward force from the nut to the tuner. I could press on the string and it would stop the buzzing. I redid the string and made sure to get the winding to the bottom of the peg and that fixed it. Seal the deal with witness point to be safe. Might not be the specific issue here but worth a look.

 

[VintageOldMan]

Long shot, but make sure the truss rod nut is snug.

This.

 

[Dirk Diggler]

Sounds to me like an improperly cut nut.
Especially since behind the nut pressure clears it up.
Once cut there's really no going back, it's time for another properly filed nut.

 

[ahbradot]

Fender stealth string retainer on the A -string;

 

[bassdude51]

If the A buzzes only on the open string and does not buzz on fretted notes. Nut issue.

I've had this problem a couple of times on basses and I found that the angle cut on the nut was too flat and needed to be slanted cut to the angle of the A string's tuning post.

Fairly easy fix if one has an A nut file.

Good luck on getting rid of that buzz!

 

[JazznFunk]

I had this same issue on my fretless Lakland 55-01 a while back. The nut is cut really low, and I had to file down the area in FRONT of the nut to increase/clear more down-angle toward the string tree. Also, if the nut has ever been cut for strings of a higher gauge than what you use normally, it can contribute to ringing/buzzing because the string isn't seated securely. If it's not the nut, then sometimes the springs on the saddle adjustment screws can rattle/ring.... usually because the adjustment screw isn't tight and flush with the back of the bridge plate. All sorts of things that I've gotten used to checking in terms of setup when making sure it's all secure. Good luck!

 

[Chillgaze_Jun]

For a while my A string has been buzzing even if I don’t press any frets down. It mainly happens when I pluck it really hard and I’m not sure what’s causing it. I’ve gotten my nut replaced and action readjusted for a separate problem and I’m wondering if it has something to do with the bridge. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Off first hand experience the most common causes of A string rattle I've come across are those caused by an improperly slotted nut and bridge saddles that are not perfectly parallel to their bridge plate. If this is a fender style headstock there are nuances to slotting the A that most whom aproach slotting every nut the same way just simply dont follow.

The angle down to the tuner has to match the natural line of your string down to it exactly, most over angle the living daylights out of it leaving a gap on the non speaking portion that sits behind the front witness point of the nut. This almost always leads to buzzing as that knife edge isn't enough to keep the non speaking length from rattling without a scorched earth fix like an after market retainer that includes the A string. You also shouldn't carve the excess rise of the nut down to the absurd levels I often see where you rely on maybe less than a millimeter of the nuts sidewall to keep the string stabilized, its should be a proper slot that is only wide enough to seat the string gauge of choice on the A properly while bracing its read non speaking section properly so its doesn't buzz and require you to add any after market fixers. Its intended to be a slot that offers the string a warm hug that keeps it happy and quiet, not the massive open groove I see the result of shoddy work where every instrument is aproached in the same manner.

 

[PJFanatic]

Off first hand experience the most common causes of A string rattle I've come across are those caused by an improperly slotted nut and bridge saddles that are not perfectly parallel to their bridge plate. If this is a fender style headstock there are nuances to slotting the A that most whom aproach slotting every nut the same way just simply dont follow.

The angle down to the tuner has to match the natural line of your string down to it exactly, most over angle the living daylights out of it leaving a gap on the non speaking portion that sits behind the front witness point of the nut. This almost always leads to buzzing as that knife edge isn't enough to keep the non speaking length from rattling without a scorched earth fix like an after market retainer that includes the A string. You also shouldn't carve the excess rise of the nut down to the absurd levels I often see where you rely on maybe less than a millimeter of the nuts sidewall to keep the string stabilized, its should be a proper slot that is only wide enough to seat the string gauge of choice on the A properly while bracing its read non speaking section properly so its doesn't buzz and require you to add any after market fixers. Its intended to be a slot that offers the string a warm hug that keeps it happy and quiet, not the massive open groove I see the result of shoddy work where every instrument is aproached in the same manner.

That’s gotta be it, think I might have to get a retainer I don’t want to get my nut replaced again. Thanks!

 

[jarrad]

If it’s buzzing open only and shows up when you really dig in, a few usual suspects come to mind.