Fret buzz

[Seth DuSith]

Hello, I've recently switched by bass to extra light strings (heaviest being 90) and even though I have my truss rod loosened all the way, and even raised my saddles, the fret buzz has gotten pretty bad. I'm considering tuning up to F, hoping it compensates for this, is this a good idea? Or do you think it could cause the strings to snap?

 

[WRM]

Hello, I've recently switched by bass to extra light strings (heaviest being 90) and even though I have my truss rod loosened all the way, and even raised my saddles, the fret buzz has gotten pretty bad. I'm considering tuning up to F, hoping it compensates for this, is this a good idea? Or do you think it could cause the strings to snap?

Without knowing scale length, etc., and since the truss rod is already loose, it sounds like your best option is to raise the bridge saddles first. If you have fret buzz on open strings after you adjust the bridge, your nut needs to be replaced. You may need to shim/adjust the neck (bolt-on). Tuning up a step shouldn't break the strings, but probably won't solve the issue.

(Edited to add after re-read) I just noticed that you already adjusted the saddles, so either nut or neck shim would be the next steps. Or go back to heavier strings.

Good luck,

 

[michael_t]

Hello, I've recently switched by bass to extra light strings (heaviest being 90) and even though I have my truss rod loosened all the way, and even raised my saddles, the fret buzz has gotten pretty bad. I'm considering tuning up to F, hoping it compensates for this, is this a good idea? Or do you think it could cause the strings to snap?

What specific brand and type of strings do you have? And what kind of bass?

 

[Seth DuSith]

I have a Jackson JS2 Spectra bass, and I used Ernie Ball Extra Slinky strings. When I had super slinkys on, it didn't buzz, so I figured it was a tension thing, so I tried loosen the truss rod and raise the sadde of the buzzing string (E) but it's still buzzing on the 1st and 2nd frets.

Jackson apparently adds graphite to the necks, so maybe they're designed to withstand more tension?

Keep in mind, this wasn't an issue till I used a lighter guage. Of course, I could always just go back to super slinkys but I been really enjoying these ones aside from the fret buzz.

If tuning up to F compensates for the lost tension, I don't mind doing it. I could learn some meshuggah songs.

 

[michael_t]

I have a Jackson JS2 Spectra bass, and I used Ernie Ball Extra Slinky strings. When I had super slinkys on, it didn't buzz, so I figured it was a tension thing, so I tried loosen the truss rod and raise the sadde of the buzzing string (E) but it's still buzzing on the 1st and 2nd frets.

Check the amount of the neck relief to make sure it's not too straight or even have a back bow. It should have a slight forward bow (= neck relief) for optimal playability. If you've loosened the truss rod as much as possible and the neck is still too straight, then those strings might be too light for it, and/or too light for your playing style.

As was already suggested above, you might want to up the gauges in that case.

 

[Seth DuSith]

Yea my truss rod is so loose the nut is basically jiggling around in the cavity lol....

That's what she said

Anyway, yea, I think that might be my only choice

 

[michael_t]

I'm considering tuning up to F, hoping it compensates for this, is this a good idea?

Just as an experiment, you can tune them up to F-Bb-Eb-Ab to see if the buzzing stops, and also to see how they feel under your fingers. No they won't snap, so don't worry about it.

If those extra lights do okay in F-tuning, that means you should have one size bigger in gauges for the standard E-tuning.

 

[Seth DuSith]

Just as an experiment, you can tune them up to F-Bb-Eb-Ab to see if the buzzing stops, and also to see how they feel under your fingers. No they won't snap, so don't worry about it.

If those extra lights do okay in F-tuning, that means you should have one size bigger in gauges for the standard E-tuning.

Just gave it a try, the buzzing is gone. We'll, looks like until these strings lose their zing, this bass is now my F standard bass. Thanks for the advice guys

 

[WRM]

(Snip) ...raise the sadde of the buzzing string (E) but it's still buzzing on the 1st and 2nd frets.

That's why I was curious which frets - nut may still need attention. I didn't think that tuning a step higher would do it, but what do I know? I guess it was enough and I like sharing my opinions.

 

[Seth DuSith]

I didn't wanna do any hardware modifications just because I am likely to just go back to the super slinkys after this. I'm mostly experimenting with these lighter strings just to see what I can gain from it. So far I have a much tighter mid range, and it almost turns my bass into a baritone guitar. I am not sure if I like this or not.

 

[bass theory]

i would say replace the nut! and make the new one with grooves that are very slightly shallower(like only enough to account for the different string gauge) and narrower to fit the strings better. it is possible to cut the new nut so that the setup will be the same with lighter strings, but it sounds like that has already been sacrificed. If you remove the original nut carefully, you should be able to put it back on to switch back to the original strings.

 

[whero]

As the problem didn't exist before changing to the light gauge strings, I'd suggest looking for different ones. Maybe not going back to the EB Super Slinkys if you don't want to, but something that has more tension than the Extra Slinkys you put on. Remember that while there's a correlation, gauge ≠ tension. I spent days going through the GHS tension guide but research pays off.

 

[soulstew]

I would try two thing before replacing the nut:
1. Snug up the truss rod to eliminate the possibility that the buzzing you hear is the loose truss rod vibrating.
2. Make sure the retainer nuts on all tuning keys are tight.

Either of these being loose can sound like string buzz. Probably not the case here, but worth ruling out, and easy to do so.

 

[micguy]

You need to have a setup done ( by someone who has experience with such things) on your bass - you’re guessing, which is not how you make progress in getting a playable instrument.

 

[groooooove]

without detailed information - as well as the tools to gather such information - it's impossible to know.

quality of the fret dressing and straightness of the neck wood would be nice to know.

as far as i see it, your three choices are-

just bring it to a professional (someone with a track record. not a local nonsense music shop)
go back to your old strings
*if you can identify it's just a high spot, spot leveling the fret(s) to make it work.

*by far the most difficult solution, and may not be possible depending on the bass.

 

[Pyrrho Epoche]

Some strings are just not conducive for some instruments. I have wedged a tiny piece of cardstock under the string and nut and that took away buzz a few times, but really a minute truss adjustment or different strings is the way to go.

 

[cataract]

A lil bit of Fret Buzz is your friend- it is the secret to growl IMO

 

[39-Bassist]

Get a good setup done first. (Whether that mean a fret level or not or maybe a high fret) Straighten the neck and check fret level...then put on your favorite strings and adjust accordingly.

 

[GodPlayedBass]

Take it to a guitar tech. Asking these questions on talkbass will likely get you a lot of the wrong answers

 

[80jazz]

Just as an experiment, you can tune them up to F-Bb-Eb-Ab to see if the buzzing stops, and also to see how they feel under your fingers. No they won't snap, so don't worry about it.

If those extra lights do okay in F-tuning, that means you should have one size bigger in gauges for the standard E-tuning.

As a guy who tries 35-90 on every bass that comes in, this last suggestion could help. This may tell you that 40-95 is better.

If there is fret buzz at this point with the way you describe it, I wonder if you have a nut cut too low for a .090 gauge string as the heaviest.

Good luck with this. If you are using 35-90, I hope you can figure it out. It's a nice gauge.