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Truss rod buzzing on certain frequencies?

sonicblue62

sonicblue62

Nov 9, 2009
595
539
51
Twin Falls, Idaho
www.youtube.com
#1
I recently came into possession of a fantastic of a Fender '62 stack-knob Fullerton reissue (1986) that I absolutely love. I have found, however, that when I play a minor 10th double-stop (B on E string with D on G string, both on the seventh fret) there is an infernal buzzing that seems to come from inside the neck. These same notes do not buzz when played separately. After noticing the problem, I tried the same chord on my other basses and noticed the same issue in the same spot (although the buzzing wasn't as loud) on my Yamaha BB424X. A friend suggested that this is a buzzing truss rod. Has anyone experienced this or know how to fix it?
 
#2
sonicblue62 said:
I recently came into possession of a fantastic of a Fender '62 stack-knob Fullerton reissue (1986) that I absolutely love. I have found, however, that when I play a minor 10th double-stop (B on E string with D on G string, both on the seventh fret) there is an infernal buzzing that seems to come from inside the neck. These same notes do not buzz when played separately. After noticing the problem, I tried the same chord on my other basses and noticed the same issue in the same spot (although the buzzing wasn't as loud) on my Yamaha BB424X. A friend suggested that this is a buzzing truss rod. Has anyone experienced this or know how to fix it?
Click to expand...

I had this on my new Rickenbacker 4003. Whenever I played anything upwards of probably the third or fourth fret it would buzz or hum, and it took me about 3 days to realize it was coming from inside the neck. Apparently from my research, humidity and climate changed can make a difference in the relief of the neck and if the truss rod wasn't tight to begin with that little change can be enough to start a rattle.

I tightened my rods just a hair. Not enough to mess with the action but tight enough to take the slack out of the lines. I haven't had a problem with it since.
 
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#4
I advise you to play your minor 10th double-stop and hold each of your tuning pegs after doing so. I had a friend go through a whole bunch of crap (including bringing his bass to a reputable repair person), thinking it was the truss rod... only to find out it was a busted tuner. I had the same thing happen to me 2 times, and the first time I too was certain it was the truss rod. It sure sounded like it was. When it happened with my second bass I immediately identified the problem.

If you check that out, please let me know how it goes. I'm curious.
 
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#5
This is something I see frequently, and it usually shows up when playing a tenth in the location you specify. It has always turned out to be "back buzz" which is when the strings vibrate against the frets behind where you are fretting (towards the nut).

First check to ensure that you have adequate relief. If the relief is fine, next check for levelness of all the frets from first to seventh fret (or beyond). If that's OK then check that there is enough string height at the nut. Correcting one or more of those things will likely cure the problem.
 
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#6
I've had similar issues with a few basses. One of them did have a buzzing truss rod; and, as FranF said, tightening it just a little (it wasn't tight enough to be doing anything, anyway) made the buzz go away. And, I've also had the noise originate in the tuners. Never had a broken one like Joe Nerve, but I have had more than one loose tuner bushing nut; or loose screws; or just loose tuners. Plus, I've had loose stuff elsewhere, that made noises I'd have bet big $$'s were coming from around the neck. Check everything...:)
 
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#7
sonicblue62 said:
I recently came into possession of a fantastic of a Fender '62 stack-knob Fullerton reissue (1986) that I absolutely love. I have found, however, that when I play a minor 10th double-stop (B on E string with D on G string, both on the seventh fret) there is an infernal buzzing that seems to come from inside the neck. These same notes do not buzz when played separately. After noticing the problem, I tried the same chord on my other basses and noticed the same issue in the same spot (although the buzzing wasn't as loud) on my Yamaha BB424X. A friend suggested that this is a buzzing truss rod. Has anyone experienced this or know how to fix it?
Click to expand...

Interesting, I just tried the chord on one of mine and sure enough, a buzz like I've never noticed before. It turned out to be back buzz on the E string, behind the 6th fret. Doesn't happen just playing the B alone, but fret the E string at the 7th and play any other string and away she goes. Touch the E string behind the 6th fret and it stops.
 
#10
My old '03 AV '62 Jazz Bass was exactly like that, when I would play a minor 10th at the B, just like you, the E string would buzz below the 7th fret position so I also had to hold down the string between the nut and 7th fret. Maybe you have my old bass! :woot:

Here is a photo of it along with a few other basses I owned at the time. This is actually a photograph of my Hipshot tuning keys collection that happened to be mounted to various basses. :D

Basses Group-1200-05.jpg

Photograph Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2004 All rights reserved.
 
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#12
Joe Nerve said:
I advise you to play your minor 10th double-stop and hold each of your tuning pegs after doing so. I had a friend go through a whole bunch of crap (including bringing his bass to a reputable repair person), thinking it was the truss rod... only to find out it was a busted tuner. I had the same thing happen to me 2 times, and the first time I too was certain it was the truss rod. It sure sounded like it was. When it happened with my second bass I immediately identified the problem.

If you check that out, please let me know how it goes. I'm curious.
Click to expand...

Came here to post the exact same thing. Grab a hair tie or two and stretch wrap them at the tuner key posts so they're under a bit of tension and try playing the bass.
Had this happen with a brandy new Matt Freeman P Bass. Drove me nuts until I locked down the issue.
 
#13
Jeff Scott said:
My old '03 AV '62 Jazz Bass was exactly like that, when I would play a minor 10th at the B, just like you, the E string would buzz below the 7th fret position so I also had to hold down the string between the nut and 7th fret. Maybe you have my old bass! :woot:

Here is a photo of it along with a few other basses I owned at the time. This is actually a photograph of my Hipshot tuning keys collection that happened to be mounted to various basses. :D

View attachment 808130
Photograph Copyright © Jeffrey P. Scott 2004 All rights reserved.
Click to expand...

That is not my Jazz, but certainly a lovely collection of basses (and Hipshots)!
 
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#14
My Squier jazz was doing this exact thing. I had tried everything to find the buzz and had just decided it was demon possessed. I read this thread and tried checking for E string back-buzz. That was it!!! I draped a towel over the fretboard between my hand and the nut and the double-stop buzz was gone.
 
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#15
i think the above poster was correct. back buzz sounds likely, especially when you said double stops. i get this on a bass or 2, because I cut the nut slots very low for low action. put a scrunchy on the the first fret and try, see if it persists.
 
#16
Turnaround said:
This is something I see frequently, and it usually shows up when playing a tenth in the location you specify. It has always turned out to be "back buzz" which is when the strings vibrate against the frets behind where you are fretting (towards the nut).

First check to ensure that you have adequate relief. If the relief is fine, next check for levelness of all the frets from first to seventh fret (or beyond). If that's OK then check that there is enough string height at the nut. Correcting one or more of those things will likely cure the problem.
Click to expand...
This is exactly what has been the case for me several times. "Back Buzz" is the perfect term for it IMO.
 
#18
Just noticed this on a bass of mine. Buzzing when playing a tenth at the 7th fret (B on E & D on G). Using a fret wrap or scrunchy mutes the buzz, so it appears to be back-buzz. Still, something seems odd...

If I put a capo on the first fret and move the 10th double stop up to the 8th fret, I still get the buzz. So it seems to be only with this particular chord. I checked the relief on the neck, and it's not back-bowed. And using the capo to move the chord up a fret (or two) takes low nut-slotting out of the equation. So is this just an anomaly with the resonant frequencies produced and having pretty low action? I've never noticed this in the past, but I did just change strings and re-setup my bass a couple days ago. I'm confused.
 

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