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Double Bass Loud Buzzing/Wooden Noise

Gregmak

Gregmak

Oct 1, 2009
289
65
38
Toronto, Canada
#1
Hi everyone,

I noticed this problem today. I'm getting a loud buzzing sound, well, not exactly buzzing. It's like hitting a piece of wood with another wood. And I'm only getting this when I play the low D, Db, C notes. I'm not sure if this is a crack, but I also suspect that it could be the end-pin. I suspect it, because when I move around my bass at certain positions, the noise stops.

I'm just wondering if this is a crack in the bass, but if it was it would always buzz right? I'm also asking this question here, because there isn't a double bass luthier in Cyprus.

Thanks for any help, I appreciate it!

Greg
 
#2
Try shifting your end pin to a different height. If the buzz goes away or changes to a different set of notes, you found your problem. Take a look at the endpin assembly and make sure everything is seated right... post photos if you're unsure. Vibrating endpins are not uncommon; just shortening it a bit by cutting off some of the inside end can resolve the issue.
 
#3
Hi Andrew, thanks for your reply. I did what you said, and it seems like it is the end pin. I think the inside part of the end pin is too long like you said and it's vibrating. I'm just not sure how to cut it? Can you provide me with some info on that?

Again, thank you so much for your reply.
 
#4
Gregmak said:
I think the inside part of the end pin is too long like you said and it's vibrating. I'm just not sure how to cut it? Can you provide me with some info on that?
Click to expand...

What kind of an endpin is it? Solid steel? Hollow steel tube? Carbon fiber?

If it happens to be solid steel, set the pin at the height you like, take a Sharpie and mark the pin just below the collar, and remove the endpin from the collar. Cut the pin with a hacksaw six inches or so above your mark. Better to leave it a little too long than to cut it too short.
 
#7
Oh, fun. There is probably a cotter pin or something similar through the endpin to keep it from coming out. You will have to slack the strings, drop the bridge (mark the positions of the feet first with a pencil) and take the tailpiece off of the endpin collar to get it out.

If you lay the bass down on the G string side and don't bump it too hard, the sound post shouldn't fall. If you want a pro to do the job, that's perfectly understandable.
 
#11
So, this is one bass repair where a violin guy might not be useless, provided he has enough space to get a bass in the shop in the first place... it's simple enough to get that assembly apart, and he'll have some clue how to stop the soundpost going anywhere. Bring your own hacksaw though, he probably won't have one :-)
 

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