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Squier VM Fretless Buzz after 10th fret

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by coldsalmon, Jun 27, 2008.

  1. Jun 27, 2008 #1
    coldsalmon

    coldsalmon

    Mar 8, 2006
    New York, NY
    I just got a Squier VM Fretless, which I love. The only thing is that the E string starts to buzz at about the 5th fret, and the A string starts to buzz at about the 10th fret. I tried raising the action, but it didn't seem to help much, and the tone got pretty dead. I also adjusted the truss rod, but that didn't help either. Everything is just about back to where I started now. I think I pluck pretty hard, as I come from upright. Has anyone else experienced this on this bass?
     
  2. Jun 27, 2008 #2
    coldsalmon

    coldsalmon

    Mar 8, 2006
    New York, NY
    I think the E string was set up really low; I noticed that it was actually lower than the A. I raised it quite a bit so that it is higher than the A, and now the buzzing only happens when I play hard (which I do all the time). I probably just play hard and need very high action.
     
  3. Jun 27, 2008 #3
    keyboardguy

    keyboardguy Supporting Member

    May 11, 2005
  4. Jun 29, 2008 #4
    Low Main

    Low Main Supporting Member

    Nov 27, 2004
    Massachusetts
    I just recently worked on a VM fretless.

    Couple of things:

    Rounds will buzz more then flats. Even low tension flats like T-I Jazz Flats buzz less than rounds.

    The boards on the VM fretlesses are heavily buffed out, so they are not totally flat and true. I leveled the board starting at 600 grit with a adjustable radius planing block. Once you start to level the high spots, you see how inaccurate the board surface is from one end to the other.

    Fender necks often have a rise at the heel end (near the pickups), so you have to make sure to level that especially.

    The stock nuts on the VM FL's are low quality. First thing is to make a new nut. To help prevent buzz, you can go a little high on the slot depths, say a bit more than .020 above the board.

    After that, a good recipe is maybe .015 of relief on the board and set the action above 5/64 and see what happens.

    I've never read the Gary Willis specs so I'll go do that now. If you're coming from upright, his approach is probably different than yours, him going for fluidity and speed using three fingers and you pulling hard with one or two.
     
  5. Jul 1, 2008 #5
    coldsalmon

    coldsalmon

    Mar 8, 2006
    New York, NY
    Thanks for the responses. Here's the crucial information from the Gary Willis page that I didn't find in the other setup tutorials:

    I'll try tightening the truss rod a bit and see if that helps. Low Main, I've noticed that the fretlines protrude a bit above the rest of the neck. I might just have to get the fingerboard dressed. It's still a great bass, even if I do have to do a a bit of work on it.