Gibson EB4 Buzzing on A and E Strings - Help!

[abngourmet]

Folks,

I have a 2013 Gibson EB4 that is in mint condition. I bought it off another TBer a while back. It is buzzing horribly on both the E and A strings. The D and G strings are fine. Situation is this ...

Relief: .017" at the 10th/11th Fret
Action: 5/64" on the E string at the end of the fingerboard, and 7/64" on the G string at the same point.
Strings: Brand new DR Hi Beams, .40-.100.

I do my own set ups, and normally I can dial in decent action with no buzz, but this one has me stumped. I don't think there's an issue with the frets, but I could be wrong of course.

Any and all help at figuring out what's going on here, and what to do about it would be greatly appreciated.

Alan

 

[Thespis]

What's the action at the first fret?

 

[Turnaround]

I think the action should be 7/64" on the E string and 5/64" on the G.

 

[abngourmet]

What's the action at the first fret?

About 2/64" as best as I can tell.

 

[abngourmet]

I think the action should be 7/64" on the E string and 5/64" on the G.

I rechecked the action on the E string ... it is 7/64". Still buzzing all over the place on the E and A strings.

 

[Turnaround]

Adjust the action so that you have 5/64" on the G string and 6/64" on the E string at the 12th fret and report back.

 

[abngourmet]

Adjust the action so that you have 5/64" on the G string and 6/64" on the E string at the 12th fret and report back.

Done. Now it's buzzing on all strings. Do I need to dial in more relief?

 

[Turnaround]

Done. Now it's buzzing on all strings. Do I need to dial in more relief?

Only if it's buzzing on the first 3 or 4 frets. If it's buzzing all up and down the neck, you need to raise the bridge.

 

[abngourmet]

If I do that, it will be unplayable for me. Also, the truss rod nut is all the way out - I can't dial in any more relief. I'm guessing this bass doesn't like light gauge strings.

 

[Turnaround]

The specs I gave are considered medium low. If you went to medium, I doubt it would make the bass unplayable. But it's you that has to play it and I guess that's unplayable to you.

On another note, I just looked at the specs for this bass on the Gibson site. What a bunch of meaningless junk they have in the specs. For example there's this piece of info:

"Tonal & Resonant Advancements: North side is up North side is up"

They also specify the glue used in assembly. Which begs the question "What's the best glue for metal?"

 

[abngourmet]

Well, I just put on a new set of DR Hi Beams, .45-.105. I'm going to let it sit overnight and see if the neck settles down.

I like my action as low as I can get it without buzzing, so....

I'm wondering if the nut wasn't cut correctly ...

 

[petrus61]

Measuring at the first fret should tell you if the nut was cut incorrectly. It could be that it just has bad fretwork or high frets, which also sucks.

 

[Linnin]

Measuring at the first fret should tell you if the nut was cut incorrectly. It could be that it just has bad fretwork or high frets, which also sucks.

I think you are correct on both counts. Totally poor craftsmanship all around.

 

[Turnaround]

I'm wondering if the nut wasn't cut correctly ...

The nut will only affect open strings. Once you fret a string the nut is no longer in the equation. So if it's buzzing on fretted notes, don't bother looking at the nut.

 

[David Jayne]

By any chance is there a place as you go up the neck where it STOPS buzzing?

 

[40Hz]

The nut will only affect open strings. Once you fret a string the nut is no longer in the equation. So if it's buzzing on fretted notes, don't bother looking at the nut.

Does sound like a case of the bridge saddles being set too low for the combination of the string tension and the player's player's preference is string height and playing style.

 

[40Hz]

I think you are correct on both counts. Totally poor craftsmanship all around.

I'd suspect a bad ir amateurish setup somewhere along the line rather than poor craftsmanship at the factory.

 

[Linnin]

I'd suspect a bad ir amateurish setup somewhere along the line rather than poor craftsmanship at the factory.

Think what you will. Piss poor craftsmanship at the Gibson factory is a well known fact.

 

[40Hz]

Think what you will. Piss poor craftsmanship at the Gibson factory is a well known fact.

Whatever. I've only been playing Gibson basses for the past 40+ years - along with Fenders and several other brands. So what could I possibly know?

 

[Linnin]

So what could I possibly know?

Good Question!