Smooth_bass88
vaxx!
- Oct 31, 2006
- 12,123
- 16,797
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- have been on nationally released albums, charting on the Billboard 200
How does it sound plugged in and/or when you're playing with other people?Noup. Unplugged
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Help with Strange Noise on Squier Classic Vibe Mustang
- Thread starter Blackfunk
- Start date
I haven't played with other people because I received it yesterday. But when playing through my interface, it's pretty noticeable
D
Yeah, it sounds like a return is the only sensible choice here. Thomann have very good customer service. Just make sure you follow their instructions TO THE LETTER, even if it means sending the same pics/video that you've already sent twice before (or anything similarly stupid they will ask for). They can get VERY frustrating to deal with it you don't follow their instructions, no matter how silly they may seem or how many emails it will take (at least that's my experience).
My advice: If possible, use the 30 days money back option. That's the safest option here. If it's the truss rod, a repair won't be worth waiting for IMO. You can always just order another one later. But if you order it from Thomann, make sure you don't get the same bass back. Thomann have a history of re-listing faulty customer returns at full price, I have experienced this myself on several occasions unfortunately. This was the reason why I finally gave up on Thomann. It's a shame, because in many way they're better than other major online dealers.
Yep, it arrived yesterday and I'm gonna return it tomorrow. That's the thing about buying online—you just hope for the best. It would be nice to have a couple of Fender stores in Berlin.
Thank you very much for your help! 
Hi everyone!
I have a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang Bass, and I'm dealing with a strange noise that I can't figure out. It's not fret buzz because I've already adjusted the string action, the truss rod, and the intonation. The bass holds its tuning perfectly.
I've also checked and tightened all the screws, the bridge, the pickups, the electronics, and the tuners, so I don't think it's coming from there.
The noise is hard to describe, but it sounds like a subtle vibration underneath each note. It's more noticeable from the 12th fret upwards, though it's present across the entire neck.
I'm sharing a video where you can clearly hear the noise. If anyone has experienced something similar or has any ideas on what it could be, I'd really appreciate your help!
Thanks in advance!
Black funk , the mustang pickups hang off the pickguard and have springs under them to provide adjustment tension , it's possible one or these is causing the noise. Pull off the pickguard and check. One may simply be too loose
This guy talks about it here. I have a problem on my A string as well, and I'm wondering if dropping from an 80 string gauge to a 70 would help. 
I really don't want to mess with the nut if I can solve this problem without doing that
I really don't want to mess with the nut if I can solve this problem without doing that
Do you hear the noise through your headphones? If something loose in the body cavity or the truss rod causes the noise, you won't hear it through the headphones.
If the pickup is mounted to the pickguard as are most Mustang pickups, it could be the springs on the pickup height adjustment screws.
I've had electrics that the truss rods rattled, that doesn't sound like a rattle that a truss rod would make however, it does sound like a sympathetic vibration maybe at the bridge. That's an interesting bridge, sheet steel, I would look there first. Check the saddles too.
Are you plucking extra hard to influence the vibration? Does the vibration occur when you pluck with a normal tensioned pluck?
Are you plucking extra hard to influence the vibration? Does the vibration occur when you pluck with a normal tensioned pluck?
it seems that the offending sound changes depending on what string and what fret is being plucked. I'd be surprised if a truss rod rattle reacted that way. just for grins, maybe put a little bit of folded paper in the nut slot of the e string to raise it up and see if that changes anything. if you like everything else about the bass, this could save you the hassle of returning it and taking a chance on the next one.
I'm not exactly sure from the video what sound you are talking about... I do hear something on some notes that sounds like there might be an issue with bridge saddles maybe? A little bit like a sitar or a fretless bass...
D
This guy talks about it here. I have a problem on my A string as well, and I'm wondering if dropping from an 80 string gauge to a 70 would help.
I really don't want to mess with the nut if I can solve this problem without doing that
No, that's a completely different problem that will only affect the open A string. I'm not even 100% convinced the nut is too low in that video. It could just be poorly made, which can cause buzzing inside the nut slot itself (rather than fret buzz against the 1st fret on the open A-string when the nut is actually too low). Buzzing inside the A-string nut slot is unfortunately a very common issue with Fender/Squier basses.
Filing the A-string nut slot on Fender basses can be a balancing act. It's by far the most difficult thing to get right when setting up a Fender bass. If you want the A-string as low as possible you will need to get the width and the angle of the nut slot absolutely PERFECT to avoid buzzing inside the slot, or a poor tone from the open A. The downward angle towards the tuner shaft is particularly critical. This problem is caused by Leo Fender's rather severe design flaw: The decision not to use a string retainer for the A-string.
I can't say for sure what the problem is with YOUR bass without seeing it, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility that it could be buzzing inside the nut slot, rather than the nut slot being too low. If the buzzing disappears when you press the string down into the nut slot (for example with a flat screwdriver), the problem is NOT that the nut slot is too low. The nut is just poorly made.
Dropping from .80 to .70 gauge A-string will most likely make the problem worse.
With two possible causes, there are also a couple of different solutions:
Scenario 1: If the buzzing is coming from inside the nut slot itself you have two (or maybe three) options:
1) Install a string retainer that includes the A-string. A standard Floyd Rose retainer will fit most Fender basses nicely. This will not only get rid of the buzzing, but also massively improve the tone of the open A, due to the better break angle over the nut. A Floyd-style string retainer is normally my preferred solution to one of Leo Fender's worst mistakes (don't get me started on Jazzmasters...) although this will of course alter the visual appearance of the instrument, and you will need to drill two holes. Not recommended for valuable vintage instruments.
2) Pay an experienced luthier to make a new nut, and make sure you mention the problem with the A-string. Somtimes it's possible to file/modify the existing nut and get rid of the buzzing that way, but a new bone nut is usually the way to go.
3) The next time you change the strings, don't cut the A-string. Use the full length of the string to get 4-5 wraps around the tuner post. This will force the string downwards and give you a slightly better break angle over the nut. Sometimes (but not always) this can compensate for the lack of a string retainer and/or a poorly made nut.
Scenario 2: If the nut is actually too low (and the buzzing on open notes is originating from the 1st fret) you have two (or maybe three) options:
1) Pay an experienced luthier to make a new nut.
2) Apply a tiny drop of superglue in the nut slot. Let it cure, and then the slot file gently to the desired height. This works fine, but superglue can be very messy. You do NOT want super glue on the finish/fretboard!!
3) Are you sure the bass is set up properly? Buzzing on open strings can happen if the neck is too straight. Loosening the truss rod might help. This will not be a good solution if the neck relief is already perfect of course.
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I had to add a small shim to the A string nut slot on my CV Mustang to stop it from buzzing. Same issue that Tyler describes in the video in post #28. After switching from TI Jazz Flats to LaBella 760 MUS, it was no longer neccessary.
But in your video, the noise is there even when you fret a note, not only when you're playing open strings. Looks like you need someone to properly set up your bass.
But in your video, the noise is there even when you fret a note, not only when you're playing open strings. Looks like you need someone to properly set up your bass.
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It's likely not a truss rod. Check the pickup springs. That's what it sounds like, the springs can loosen because they sit inside a bolt that's threaded into the plastic pickup frame. The plastic frame easily becomes stripped after pickup adjustments and then the springs will become loose and will vibrate sympathetic with notes. On my JMJ Mustang I ended up placing nuts at the bottom end to stop this problem.
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Hi everyone!
I have a Squier Classic Vibe Mustang Bass, and I'm dealing with a strange noise that I can't figure out. It's not fret buzz because I've already adjusted the string action, the truss rod, and the intonation. The bass holds its tuning perfectly.
I've also checked and tightened all the screws, the bridge, the pickups, the electronics, and the tuners, so I don't think it's coming from there.
The noise is hard to describe, but it sounds like a subtle vibration underneath each note. It's more noticeable from the 12th fret upwards, though it's present across the entire neck.
I'm sharing a video where you can clearly hear the noise. If anyone has experienced something similar or has any ideas on what it could be, I'd really appreciate your help!
Thanks in advance!
Do you have a electronic tuner attached to your headstock? That's where my weird noises come from. after I tune up and take it off, the sounds go away.
That could be it. Honestly, besides the truss rod, it's the option that makes the most sense to me. But I did remove the pickguard to check if anything was loose inside, and I couldn't find anything. Either way, I just need a bass to record songs at home—I'm primarily a guitarist, and for the price, it felt like too much hassle to spend more on a luthier to figure it out. I ended up returning it and I'm now considering a Bronco Bass I found at a store. When I tried it out, I didn't notice any issues, and for the price, I think it'll do the job. Any thoughts on the Bronco Bass are appreciated!
That's IT!. After I read your post I went and inspected the situation and sure enough, the A string goes in a almost a straight line to tuner shaft. I picked up the bass and pressed my finger down on the A string on the headstock side of the nut and pluck the string. All the buzz was gone! I loosened the string and pressed down pretty hard. That fixed a good deal of it, then I used a wood dowel to press the string further into the nut and that fixed the rest of it. . .
. . . well at least for the most part. There is still a tiny bit of buzz when it's unplugged, as as soon as I fire up my amp the buzz can't be heard even at low volume. (I used to be able to hear LOUD buzz, plus I could feel it rattling the bass as I played)
The next time I change strings I'm going to add more wraps around the shaft to help sharpen the angle.
It feels like I have my bass back
Thanks for that!(Pic from before you told me what they problem was)
