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Double Bass String buzz above 12

tspallone

tspallone

Guest
Oct 13, 2011
341
171
Nanuet, NY
www.tomspallone.com
#1
New to DB and I have some home luthier experience.

I've adjusted my bridge (and nut) so that the action is pretty low (I AM coming from the electric fretted/fretless side after all..) and, I can live with the action the way it is but, all 4 strings seem to buzz when "fretted" at 12th position and above?

Height from end of fingerboard to bottom of string is approx. (E=5mm, A=6mm, D=6.5, G=6mm)

Should I sand fingerboard above 12 to give more room for string to vibrate?

Other option, it seems, is to raise the bridge, no buzz but, strings are a "mile" off the fingerboard and I struggle to move around the thing!

Suggestions?
 
#2
if you adjust the bridge so that E=9, A=8, D=7, G=6, you will have a bass with a "standard" string height. Even a bit low. 9mm is certainly not a "mile" off the fingerboard. Try that, see if the buzzes go away, and learn to get a good tone playing it that way. Otherwise what's the point of playing upright? You're not playing slab now.

If it still buzzes at that height you need to find the high-spots and low-spots wherever it buzzes and carefully smooth them out. This is an acquired skill. I wouldn't just attack with sandpaper.
 
#3
Raise your action...what you've described is low. With the slab you get used to the idea that you set the bass up how you want it to feel. Not that double bass shouldn't feel good (it should) but first and foremost you set it up to sound good and work with it from there. If the board does need some leveling let someone with a proven record of good work fix it. It's not something you learn overnight.

FYI you don't fret a note on a double bass you stop it. Fret numbers are meaningless too. Speak in terms of positions or note names on a string. Notes on a string is actually very useful when describing buzzes.
 
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#4
aha!

I don't have anyone else's DB to reference so, you're right, I'm just going by MY feel. So, it would appear that its my perception that the string height is high if I raise the bridge to where it sounds good. From what you're both telling me, it's something that I have to get used to.
You're right though, I'm used to manipulating guitars to conform to ME but, it would appear that I have to conform to the DB.

It's just that I watch some guys play and it seems so effortless and when I think of my string height (at a "sound good" height), it's hard for me to comprehend how that can be that effortless. Practice???

Another thing, I just realized that I've been measuring the string height with the DB on it's back. Probably not accurate, right? Makes sense that it be in playing position I suppose.

I'm going to raise bridge to specs suggested by Matt and I'll see where I stand.

Thank you.

Also, you're right, I don't know DB "lingo". "Fretting" a string didn't seem to fit but, for lack of a better description... :-)
 
#5
There are some great resources here. Take some time to look through the jazz technique forum, there are a bunch of video lessons available that talk about pulling a good sound from the instrument. Chris Fitzgerald and discover double bass come to mind first. the Rufus Reid DVD is great too. They all talk "string height" (not action BTW) along with right hand technique.
 
#6
As per Matthew's post, the curve of the bridge has to be altered in relation to the curve of the fingerboard to achieve those relative heights. The amount of scoop in the fingerboard is also critical for ease of playing. My heights of 4-7mm (g-e) measured at the end of the fingerboard work very well for me on my basses for jazz pizz and arco, usually performing with a pickup and amp.
 
#7
Eric Hochberg said:
As per Matthew's post, the curve of the bridge has to be altered in relation to the curve of the fingerboard to achieve those relative heights. The amount of scoop in the fingerboard is also critical for ease of playing. My heights of 4-7mm (g-e) measured at the end of the fingerboard work very well for me on my basses for jazz pizz and arco, usually performing with a pickup and amp.
Click to expand...

So wait, you have those string heights but nose buzz higher on the fingerboard?
 
#8
If you see a guy playing and it looks effortless, then he likely has spent many hours to get to that point. When you start out, it's not uncommon to burn out physically practicing long before you burn out mentally. It's the nature of the beast with DB.

When I started playing I had some buzzes on my bass as well. I probably dropped the string height down too equating my BG skills to UB. I took it to my luthier, who checked it out, raised the string height, and told me to go home and play it lol.

There are many variables that are going to factor into your preferred setup, and you likely wont find your way with them until you've been playing for quite a while. At least that was my experience.

Get a good setup, some lessons, and a practice routine. Good luck.
 
#13
Eric Hochberg said:
As per Matthew's post, the curve of the bridge has to be altered in relation to the curve of the fingerboard to achieve those relative heights. The amount of scoop in the fingerboard is also critical for ease of playing. My heights of 4-7mm (g-e) measured at the end of the fingerboard work very well for me on my basses for jazz pizz and arco, usually performing with a pickup and amp.
Click to expand...

IMO, this is the lowest setup for ease of playing and getting any sound out of the instrument. I've gone a bit lower without any buzzing but there was very little acoustic output, which is most apparent on the E string. The setup begins with the fingerboard. At lower string heights like this, it has to be as close to perfect as possible. This is very difficult to do without the proper tools and experience.
 
#14
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
The setup begins with the fingerboard. At lower string heights like this, it has to be as close to perfect as possible. This is very difficult to do without the proper tools and experience.
Click to expand...
+1 And sometimes its difficult WITH the proper tools and experience! :cool:
 
#17
I think I got it. Raised the bridge a couple of times, I think height measure is at about E=8mm A=7mm D=6.5mm G= 5.5-6mm
No buzz. Gonna give it a day or so and see, as the weather seems to change everything everyday. I guess I can deal with the overall "playability action". Nature of the beast I guess.
 
#18
Greg Clinkingbeard said:
I'm doing one right now that isn't cooperating. The plane is sharp and properly adjusted, I won't accept lack of experience so I blame the wood.
Click to expand...
Its definitely the wood's fault! I find that lots of Chinese basses have "Indonesian Ebony" fingerboards - while it may be hard and black (ish), its also brittle, chippy and has evil grain...
 

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