Is it normal...

[ysand]

...to pluck an open string and hear a little buzz after a while?

I have no fret buzz at all.
The neck seems ok, and so do the frets.

Does it happen to your basses too or i need to set smth?

 

[202dy]

Acoustically or through the amp? The rule of thumb is that if it doesn't buzz through the amp, it doesn't buzz.

 

[GeoffByrne]

How hard are you plucking?

 

[Slax]

Maybe the nut is cut too low. I had the problem on my D string w/ my MIA P-bass.. a set of .50-.110 strings solved the problem.

 

[69nites]

what's happening is when you pluck the string is not making a perfect sine wave. it's much flatter because of where you're plucking.

as the wave becomes more a perfect sine wave the middle of the wave is getting taller and starts touching your frets.

if it were me I'd add a little relief to the neck.

 

[ysand]

Happens when i pluck quite hard. In soft playing it doesn't happen.
And no, it doesn't go through the amp. I just hear it cos i'm right above it

 

[Matt R.]

Yes. If it's causing no issues then no need to worry. Good luck

 

[ysand]

Well, i just checked my older (cheap) bass and it happens there too, so i guess it's normal. Maybe i'll add a little relief to the neck if it keeps annoying me

 

[EADG mx]

No buzz is good buzz. It could be a setup issue or something could be loose. Tighten everything up, if that doesn't do the trick I'd raise the strings slightly.

But like 202dy said, if it's not coming through the amp it's probably not a big deal.

 

[69nites]

No buzz is good buzz. It could be a setup issue or something could be loose. Tighten everything up, if that doesn't do the trick I'd raise the strings slightly.

But like 202dy said, if it's not coming through the amp it's probably not a big deal.

well from the sound of it if I were playing his bass it would never ever buzz.

he said it only buzzes on an open string when he really digs in. I mean I can yank hard enough that any bass is going to buzz the only way it's going to effect you is if it buzzes when you're using the touch you use when playing.

 

[ysand]

Yes, when i play (cos generally i don't pluck that hard it's not doing it)
Plus, i'm avoiding using open strings (i prefer a fretted note, and i get no buzz in whichever fret).
I just realized that it happens and that's it.
No big deal guys, thanx a lot for your help.

 

[lundborg]

Check the pickup height. If the pickups are too close to the strings, they will cause unwanted harmonics.

 

[lundborg]

... i.e. you'll have an E on the E string according to the tuner, but also a lot of ugly
overtones that are not natural mutiples of E (wave lengths determined by the location of
the pickup(s) visavi the nut and bridge).

 

[lundborg]

Ooops ... sorry, I replied to the wrong post!

 

[fuNKmaster83]

Maybe the nut is cut too low.

you are spot on... if you really have top notch fret job!!! a raise of the nut or replacement is the only cure

 

[202dy]

Happens when i pluck quite hard. In soft playing it doesn't happen.
And no, it doesn't go through the amp. I just hear it cos i'm right above it

The only time it occurs is when the instrument is over played. That is not a physical problem that need be addressed at the instrument end. It is a technique problem that has to be addressed at the user end.

But it is all moot point. The guitar does not buzz through the amp. Therefore this buzz does not exist.