Double Bass Loose fingerboard?

[Ethan Eriksen]

Hello luthiers,

I'm getting a buzzing noise out of my bass when I pluck the G string. The buzz is louder as I pluck closer to the middle of the string. I recently got a seam closed and tapping around the edges I don't hear or see any other open seams. When I gently pull up or push down on the end of the fingerboard and pluck, the buzzing goes away. Could it be possible that my fingerboard is loose somewhere? I don't see any spots where it's visibly separating from the neck which is what makes me question it.

Obviously will take it in to a professional but just wanting to get a sense of the possibilities.

 

[Mark_T]

I'll bet you need a fingerboard dressing. That's when a luthier planes it out to get the shape right. The reason it doesn't buzz when you press on the fingerboard is you're bending the high spot away from the string.

Edit, I'm not sure what the deal is with you lifting the board, but maybe your observations got confused? If you're sure it goes away when you pull the board up towards the string, then maybe I'm wrong, or your twisting it somehow?

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

It’s possible, but unlikely. When you touch the fingerboard you’re effectively damping the bass by robbing it of vibrational energy. Is the bridge placed correctly with even adjusters?

 

[Ethan Eriksen]

I'll bet you need a fingerboard dressing. That's when a luthier planes it out to get the shape right. The reason it doesn't buzz when you press on the fingerboard is you're bending the high spot away from the string.

Edit, I'm not sure what the deal is with you lifting the board, but maybe your observations got confused? If you're sure it goes away when you pull the board up towards the string, then maybe I'm wrong, or your twisting it somehow?

Sorry for the confusion, the bass itself is buzzing. The string isn't buzzing against the fingerboard. This only really happens with the open G string.

It’s possible, but unlikely. When you touch the fingerboard you’re effectively damping the bass by robbing it of vibrational energy. Is the bridge placed correctly with even adjusters?

It looks correctly placed and even to me. I'll take a closer look and see if there's an issue there.

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Also check the screws in the tuning machines, as well as the endpin.