Double Bass Mystery Buzz...help!

[Mikey3]

So I have read through a ton of threads and tried a few things, but for the life of me I can't figure out what is causing my buzz. So here is my best explanation of what is going on. When I play a string pizz, I hear a buzzing sound when played arco, I can't hear it. Tried to see if it was the endpin, its not, tried touching the tailpiece, cable etc...nothing helps. the only time I am able to kill the buzz is when I lightly press on the wood of the e side f hole at the bottom outline of the f. Could the ply be a bit loose here? anything to check? I have not noticed anything. My bass is a Shen SB150. So I think that there is a thin veneer over the carved top. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Cheers
Mike

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

I've had that happen if there was a low spot in the fingerboard.

 

[Eric Hochberg]

Did you check for open seams? Tap with your knuckle around the edges of the top and check listen for a clacking sound instead of a dark knock.

 

[Mikey3]

Tried the tap test for open seams, and I did not hear anything that would be suspect. Kung fu can you explain a bit about low spot? It does not seem like the buzz is originating from the string hitting against the fingerboard, but rather something to do with the body of the bass. I am wondering if it might have something to do with the bridge...like maybe the feet were not set up properly and possibly causing a bit of buzz...the bridge foot on the G side does not look to be 100% flush with the body ...there very very slight gap at the tailpiece side of the G foot...I am starting to wonder if maybe this could be the culprit.

 

[mpf]

You've probably already eliminated these as possibilities, but recently the buzzing culprits on my bass have been my clamp-on tuner, and the wires from my pickup. On my old bass, the weld on one of the tuning machine wings had broke loose and was buzzing on certain notes. Took me forever to find that one. Good luck, and keeping looking!

 

[KUNGfuSHERIFF]

Mikey -- one of my basses was played in the key of C a lot over the years without having the fingerboard dressed. A small divot developed where you finger C on the A string. Because there is a high spot just above C, that note buzzes because the string bounces off this slightly high spot instead of vibrating cleanly.

 

[Mikey3]

Well solved the annoying buzz problem tonight. Had a good look all around the bass and then found it. Must have been some paint or some wood fibre or combination of both that was creating a type of bridge at the f hole. I had not played this bass alot...and even less of that was pizz and that is when it was really noticeable sound. Glad I found it...just took a small feeler gauge to separate it. and now the buzz is gone...go figure. Attached is a before pic. It was really hard to see so I had to put a light in the hole in order for it to really show. Pretty easy to spot in the picture though