Fret Buzz on a AM Standard P Bass

[NandoVieira]

just got a P Bass Fender AM Standard, great bass.
One thing is bothering me: when I play on the 19th fret on the A string and bend it just a little I get a fret buzz, the note goes pretty dead as I bend it in the direction of the middle of the fingerboard.
Is it caused by the radius of the fingerboard? anyone else with this problem?

 

[NandoVieira]

Nobody?

 

[fettbass]

I just bought an american standard P bass and noticed a slight amount of backbuzz in the 16-17th fret area. I'm taking it in for a pro setup and I can update you with info if you'd like. I get it back on the 28th, though......

 

[NandoVieira]

Thanks Fettbass! that would be nice

 

[raventepes]

All it should need is a slight neck adjustment, as fettbass suggested. Take it in to your favourite guitar shop. Should only take a couple minutes and a few bucks.

 

[mark beem]

Sounds like you may also need to have the frets leveled.

 

[Mike M.]

It could also be that one fret is a bit higher than the rest. That very thing happened on one of my basses. I found the culprit (it was also the 19th fret), took it in and the tech took care of it. Problem solved.

 

[David Jayne]

All it should need is a slight neck adjustment, as fettbass suggested. Take it in to your favourite guitar shop. Should only take a couple minutes and a few bucks.

A problem at the 19th fret can't be adjusted out. It means the 20th fret is high and will need to be leveled and radiused. Simple to do one fret but for best results do the whole thing.

 

[NandoVieira]

Thanks everybody, I'm going to take to a pro setup on monday!

 

[stuntbass77]

Sounds like you may also need to have the frets leveled.

Fret level! I know one would think an instrument made in the US would have nice level frets but unfortunately not always the case. A good fret level take some time and tlc, something fender doesn't seem to provide ( I'm a fender guy all the way, only play jazz basses so don't take this the wrong way). Once level your fender will sing and play like butter. MusicMan does a much better job with QC when it comes to level frets and tight neck pockets, if they ever make a jazz copy fender better watch out

 

[atomicdog]

Had to get my AM Std setup as well. Fret level, flats, swapped out the PUP for an Vintage Original (or whatever fender was calling those 62s back then). It's a pretty decent bass but not my favorite.

 

[Dave W]

Depending on how far you are bending you could just be fretting out, which is due to the radius of the fretboard.