Fretless buzz

[bilias]

Hi,

I've put new strings to my old musicman stingray fretless which was laying in it's case for almost a decade (playing upright).

I have buzz in open strings D,G as well as almost eveywhere on E (and pretty much in other strings as well).
In open strings it sounds like a sitar...

Looking at the neck I see a little relief.
I don't think there is something loose (metal parts).

The old strings where relaxed for storing the bass. I haven't touched the truss rod at all.

I increased action on the saddle (almost to the end) but nothing changed.
I've thought that nut might be the problem but I've read that nut is supposed to be low on fretless (alsmost touching the FB).

Any ideas?

thanks

 

[michael_t]

Would you be able to provide a pic of the headstock (side view) to see how the strings are wrapped on the tuning posts?

The last wrap coming out of the post should be as low as possible so there is enough break angle over the nut to hold the string in place with adequate down force.

 

[spufman]

Are you sure there’s a little relief, as opposed to a little backbow?

 

[bilias]

thanks for replies.

1) about the strings. I'll get some pics but I did enforce down angle.
I also pressed the strings (after the nut) to enforce more angle and nothing changes.
2) yes some neck relief. definitely not backbow

 

[lz4005]

Any ideas?

Try a temporary paper shim in the nut slots for the D and G. If raising them makes the buzz go away your nut slots are too low.

Overall it sounds like you should get your board leveled. Takes just a few minutes with the proper sanding block.

 

[JRA]

i would adjust the truss rod to address the bow and then let it sit for awhile (maybe a day) while the wood parts conform to the adjustment. then i'd see where to go from there: maybe more adjusting one way or the other. i'd be patient --- the instrument wasn't played for 10 years!