New bass string problem maybe

[Slaphound]

I just got a new bass from Sweetwater a few days ago. Fender Vintera Jazz. I have played it every day since and today, while playing, I start hearing weird overtones on my open E and then open A too. I hung it up for a while just to give it a rest and see what would happen and when I started playing it again, it sounded like they were getting better. Came back later and now its the E, A and D strings. I played it plenty before today and I have not heard this before. In fact, I don't think I heard it ever before. It is not fret buzz. It sounds like something is lose but nothing I can see.

Should I change the strings and see. I'm afraid to really touch it before the 30 day period. Not sure if it would affect the return policy. I really don't want to return it. Its a very nice bass but I can't have this.

 

[Reedt2000]

Are the pickups close to the strings? That can cause some weird overtones and other strange effects. I have no idea what strings come stock on a fender, but a new set of my preferred brand is usually the first thing I do on a new bass.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

I just got a new bass from Sweetwater a few days ago. Fender Vintera Jazz. I have played it every day since and today, while playing, I start hearing weird overtones on my open E and then open A too. I hung it up for a while just to give it a rest and see what would happen and when I started playing it again, it sounded like they were getting better. Came back later and now its the E, A and D strings. I played it plenty before today and I have not heard this before. In fact, I don't think I heard it ever before. It is not fret buzz. It sounds like something is lose but nothing I can see.

Should I change the strings and see. I'm afraid to really touch it before the 30 day period. Not sure if it would affect the return policy. I really don't want to return it. Its a very nice bass but I can't have this.

You mean, like a completely different note is inside the open note? That does happen sometimes depending on strings. Also nut slots or bridge saddles being too open could cause wonky ring outs when you hit it hard.

 

[Slaphound]

Are the pickups close to the strings? That can cause some weird overtones and other strange effects. I have no idea what strings come stock on a fender, but a new set of my preferred brand is usually the first thing I do on a new bass.

I'm sorry. I forgot to say that it's very audible acoustically. I hear It plugged in too, BTW.
I want to change strings but I just left a message at Sweetwater to see what they say and to ask if I can change strings and not affect the return policy if it turns out its the bass itself. Maybe the Tuners are crap but I thought I heard it all through the strings. Not just at the headstock. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the bridge but nothing I touch stops it.

 

[Slaphound]

You mean, like a completely different note is inside the open note? That does happen sometimes depending on strings. Also nut slots or bridge saddles being too open could cause wonky ring outs when you hit it hard.

It sounds like something loose is vibrating when the string is plucked.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

It sounds like something loose is vibrating when the string is plucked.

Oh, just squeeze the bridge together.

 

[Slaphound]

Oh, just squeeze the bridge together.

Tried it.....didn't change anything

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Tried it.....didn't change anything

Might just be that one set screw is a little off balanced from the other one. Squeezing the bridge together usually works. The saddles move around sometimes as your playing, and they vibrate against eachother if there's a little half a gap. But, it didn't work, so try adjusting the screws and see what happens.

 

[FunkHead]

I would make sure there is tension on the truss rod nut.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Tried it.....didn't change anything

Oh, take a close up picture of the bridge and also the head while you're at it. Make sure to get the nut in the head picture.

 

[Reedt2000]

It's possible the truss rod nut is loose. If it is, you just want to turn it until you get the slightest resistance, so you're not adjusting the neck, just keeping the nut from rattling.

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Tried it.....didn't change anything

Oh, have you ruled out that it might just be fret buzz?

 

[JeezyMcNuggles]

Tried it.....didn't change anything

Oh...again. hahaha, you know, my old gio started buzzing on me one day, a long time ago. It turned out to be that one of the heads on my tuners was loose. I tightened up the screw and it disappeared. You could try loosening the strings and seeing if a machine head is looser than you think it should be. If so, there's a screw on the end of it that you can tighten or loosen to adjust how easy it turns. That's the screw.

 

[DJ Bebop]

I'm sorry. I forgot to say that it's very audible acoustically. I hear It plugged in too, BTW.
I want to change strings but I just left a message at Sweetwater to see what they say and to ask if I can change strings and not affect the return policy if it turns out its the bass itself. Maybe the Tuners are crap but I thought I heard it all through the strings. Not just at the headstock. Sometimes it sounds like it's coming from the bridge but nothing I touch stops it.

As much as folks like Fender strings. I've had that problem with Fender round wounds shipped out on their new basses before, the E and A. It's like the outer wrap is loose on the core.

 

[Slaphound]

As much as folks like Fender strings. I've had that problem with Fender round wounds shipped out on their new basses before, the E and A. It's like the outer wrap is loose on the core.

Yeah. That would make sense. Like the outer wrap is loose. Could it be?

 

[DJ Bebop]

Are the pickups close to the strings? That can cause some weird overtones and other strange effects. I have no idea what strings come stock on a fender, but a new set of my preferred brand is usually the first thing I do on a new bass.

Fender® 7250M Nickel-Plated Steel Roundwound, Long Scale, .045-.105 (Model No. 0737250406)

 

[Slaphound]

Oh...again. hahaha, you know, my old gio started buzzing on me one day, a long time ago. It turned out to be that one of the heads on my tuners was loose. I tightened up the screw and it disappeared. You could try loosening the strings and seeing if a machine head is looser than you think it should be. If so, there's a screw on the end of it that you can tighten or loosen to adjust how easy it turns. That's the screw.

Thanks. I looked at that screw and thought to tighten it. Again, I am afraid to touch it but maybe I will anyway. I de-tuned and re-tuned once. Nothing.

 

[Reedt2000]

Thanks. I looked at that screw and thought to tighten it. Again, I am afraid to touch it but maybe I will anyway. I de-tuned and re-tuned once. Nothing.

No reason you can't snug up all of the screws. Just don't force anything so you don't leave tool marks, and make sure you have the right size screwdriver tips.

 

[DJ Bebop]

Yeah. That would make sense. Like the outer wrap is loose. Could it be?

I'd say yes If you've checked everything that the strings come in contact with or could rattle.
Sometimes it can sound like a loose truss rod but it's usually, really the string or strings.
Got two basses like that.

 

[Andy Daventry]

An unidentified rattle on an instrument can be the nuts on the tuning keys come loose. I know this doesn't fit all your symptoms, but it's worth mentioning.