Fret buzz past 15th fret.

[GreenApollo]

Hi all,

I have been venturing into the higher notes and I have found that my bass either has to have the truss rod adjusted or the bridge adjusted. Basically, I get fret buzz at and below the 15th fret. I had it set up at a GC and have been very happy with the action, I'd hate to have to raise the action just so I can play the highs. I am open to a new bridge entirely if that would help me.

Thanks in advance,
Dylan

 

[JLS]

No doubt, part of the problem.

Are you getting buzz at F15-21?

 

[walterw]

+1, and a new bridge would have nothing to do with the problem.

 

[JPMo]

I also have somewhat of a similar problem except i only get buzzing on the D string on the 17th and 19th fret?

 

[Jimbob Jones]

Sounds like you need to get some fallaway.

 

[bassbully]

raise the string a tad bit at the bridge.

 

[Floyd Eye]

Take it to someone who actually knows what they're doing.

 

[Mete]

Take it to someone who actually knows what they're doing.

That's the best, take your bass to a professional, i was having the same problem on my F17 on G, i took it to the local music store and gave it to the guy that, fixes instruments there, it was solved but after a while it started again, when i went back home, i took it to a professional for general adjustment, and told him the problem, now i don't have any problem....

 

[Diogenes]

... I get fret buzz at and below the 15th fret.

That sounds like you need to raise your saddles a little. If you were to get fret buzz on a few of the frets, say 15 and 18, then that would be a fret level issue.

 

[Hyper-sloth]

Go to http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/ultimate-guide-to-perfect-bass-setup.html
It's a free pdf down load.
This will tell you EVERYTHING you need to know. Every musician should know how to set up their basses. It sounds like a slight (1/4 turn max) twist of the truss rod may be needed, though it's pretty close to the end of the fret board. Another great book is Gary Willis' "101 tips all pros know and use".

 

[Hyper-sloth]

I also have somewhat of a similar problem except i only get buzzing on the D string on the 17th and 19th fret?

That would be a saddle deal, or a bad fret. See if fret 16 and 18 are taller than 17 and 19. Use a metal ruler and lay it across the frets.

 

[bassbully]

That would be a saddle deal, or a bad fret. See if fret 16 and 18 are taller than 17 and 19. Use a metal ruler and lay it across the frets.

9 times out of 10 its a raise the saddle issue. If its a
fret issue it might need attention and a luthier should see it.A simple saddle issue is something any player should be able to do themselves.

 

[Hyper-sloth]

9 times out of 10 its a raise the saddle issue. If its a
fret issue it might need attention and a luthier should see it.A simple saddle issue is something any player should be able to do themselves.

and the best thing is raising the saddle is totally reversible. When I was a teen I destroyed my 1983 Jazz bass from all the things I did to it. Dumb.

 

[bassbully]

and the best thing is raising the saddle is totally reversible. When I was a teen I destroyed my 1983 Jazz bass from all the things I did to it. Dumb.

Good point. Like shimming a neck over cutting a nut deeper. Try the shim first and then have the nut cut not the other way around. I got allot of tips thru the years and do all my own setups. I bought a bass once that had a "Pro" setup on it and I didnt like it at all.Small things like fret end filing,polishing frets,soldering and setups. One tip I was given was buzz at any of the first 3 frets adjust action, buzz above the 12th fret raise saddles..works eveytime for me.

 

[Diogenes]

Good point. Like shimming a neck over cutting a nut deeper...

Two different things altogether. They both have their affect on the overall action but in different ways.

 

[Diogenes]

9 times out of 10 its a raise the saddle issue. If its a
fret issue it might need attention and a luthier should see it.A simple saddle issue is something any player should be able to do themselves.

and the best thing is raising the saddle is totally reversible. When I was a teen I destroyed my 1983 Jazz bass from all the things I did to it. Dumb.

If a fret level is in order, raising the saddles slightly only masks the effect of unlevel frets. A fret job is the only way to solve the problem and it should never be seen as something to not do just because it's not "reversible"... whatever that implies.

Come on guys... learn and understand the dynamics of bass building and setup.

 

[JLS]

Good point. Like shimming a neck over cutting a nut deeper. Try the shim first and then have the nut cut not the other way around. I got allot of tips thru the years and do all my own setups. I bought a bass once that had a "Pro" setup on it and I didnt like it at all.Small things like fret end filing,polishing frets,soldering and setups. One tip I was given was buzz at any of the first 3 frets adjust action, buzz above the 12th fret raise saddles..works eveytime for me.

There's a wealth of misinformation, here.

 

[Turnaround]

There's a wealth of misinformation, here.

Yup, a wealth indeed. Perhaps we could give some of it to folks that are misinformation poor and equalize things a bit.

Oh yah, isn't that what this forum is for?

 

[bassbully]

If a fret level is in order, raising the saddles slightly only masks the effect of unlevel frets. A fret job is the only way to solve the problem and it should never be seen as something to not do just because it's not "reversible"... whatever that implies.

Come on guys... learn and understand the dynamics of bass building and setup.

Duh..re-read my post. I said if its a fret isuue get it looked at by a pro.. Most times in my experience it has only been a saddle issue.

 

[bassbully]

Yup, a wealth indeed. Perhaps we could give some of it to folks that are misinformation poor and equalize things a bit.

Oh yah, isn't that what this forum is for?

Look I said what works for me and what I had been taught works. My worse setup ever was from a know it so called luthier. Also my worse, solder- grounding job, and nut cut all by so called experienced luthiers So I learned myself. Guess what I have done better work that all those shops over the years put together on my and other peoples basses and guitars. This is not rocket science. I have a tech degree and background...get off the hairy high horses you are riding on.