Whats wrong with my A string? Bad preamp? something else?

[Smokey P]

Well, I hate to make one of these threads but if anyone is able to help me solve this issue I will truly be VERY grateful. So here's whats up.

The bass in question is my 1998 stingray 5 H. For some reason that baffles me, the notes on the lower end of the A string have a weird electrical "fizz" or buzz behind the tone. It sounds to me like the battery is starting to die on the bass, so Ive changed it and even tried a couple different brands and types of batteries. This has happened across 2 different sets of DR fat beams so I dont think it is the strings. I have noticed it to varying degrees both while using an amplifier and while plugging the bass directly into my interface. Have tried different cables. It becomes more or less pronounced in correlation with the settings of my treble knob on the bass onboard preamp. Only thing I can do to make it disappear is cut the treble completely, crank the treble and it is at its most noticeable. Does anyone know how to fix this?? Its subtle and I LOVE this bass but I am also pretty sensitive to things like this (weird buzzes, something sounding "off", clipping etc.) My best guess at this point is something wrong with the treble portion of my preamp...???

Ive included a recording so you can hear for yourselves, it begins with me playing an A major scale twice going up on just the A string. I follow it with playing the major scales coinciding with the other open strings just for comparisons sake. Use headphones and turn it up somewhat loud, its pretty subtle otherwise!

PLEASE HELP i gig this bass a bunch and am feeling anxious about this. this issue has been persistent since I first noticed it back around new years.

 

[Smokey P]

Tho I have to say, as I listen back now, it is hard to notice. I definitely hear it while I am practicing though. What do you think? At this point I’m feeling like it’s all in my head

 

[bobyoung53]

Tho I have to say, as I listen back now, it is hard to notice. I definitely hear it while I am practicing though. What do you think? At this point I’m feeling like it’s all in my head View attachment 5001355

Did you post any audio?

 

[Reedt2000]

Definitely something fuzzy and indistinct about the A string notes compared to the other strings, though its subtle. Maybe the nut slot needs shaping? Or the bridge saddle is funky? If it's a bad witness points that would explain why it's only on that string.

Has the bass always done this? If not can you pinpoint when it started?

 

[Smokey P]

Did you post any audio?

It should be in the OP?

Definitely something fuzzy and indistinct about the A string notes compared to the other strings, though its subtle. Maybe the nut slot needs shaping? Or the bridge saddle is funky? If it's a bad witness points that would explain why it's only on that string.

Has the bass always done this? If not can you pinpoint when it started?

could potentially be the nut but I’ve actually had a new nut put in between when I first noticed it (early January) and now. Tho, despite taking it to a very reputable tech, I’m not super happy with the nut. Actually now for the first time realizing it does it unplugged and I think it might be the nut…hmmm. But would it still do it when I am fretting notes on the A string like it does in the recording?

 

[Reedt2000]

It should be in the OP?




could potentially be the nut but I’ve actually had a new nut put in between when I first noticed it (early January) and now. Tho, despite taking it to a very reputable tech, I’m not super happy with the nut. Actually now for the first time realizing it does it unplugged and I think it might be the nut…hmmm. But would it still do it when I am fretting notes on the A string like it does in the recording?

You're right, I wouldn't expect fretted notes to be an issue, unless the nut is pinching or grabbing the string and causing it to twist when your stringing it. If that's the only change between when it did and didn't have the issue, it at least has some logic behind it.

 

[Smokey P]

You're right, I wouldn't expect fretted notes to be an issue, unless the nut is pinching or grabbing the string and causing it to twist when your stringing it. If that's the only change between when it did and didn't have the issue, it at least has some logic behind it.

Yeah, I’ll mess around with it and consider getting my second new nut on this bass of the year. I actually had to take it back to him the next day to fill in the A string more and there’s currently a tiny piece of business card holding the E in the slot…trying another guy next time. Hopefully that’s the issue but I’m open to any other theories cause it still seems weird that it affects most of the lower part of the string, from the 10th fret down really.

 

[chadds]

Establishing a good witness point was an excellent suggestion. Could be. Could be a bad string. Could have slipped internally.

Another remedy is don’t use that string. You have the other ones.

 

[Smokey P]

Hahah well, I have a gig tomorrow on that bass whether I like it or not. Thanks for the suggestion, I’m really hoping it’s bad witness points that can be fixed. Still open to other theories though if anyone’s a 90s stingray 5 expert

 

[bobyoung53]

It should be in the OP?

I'm in Peru, once in a while I can't see the link. I just shut off my VPN and still can't see it, just curious.

 

[Andy Marshman]

I don't hear a problem.

 

[ModuMan]

I hear it more on the D string ... maybe that's just me.

It's a '98? How are the frets? My '92 needed some pretty serious leveling by the time I got around to it. I'm not suggesting it *is* the frets, just one more thing to think about on an older bass that's been played a lot.

Love that color!

 

[Smokey P]

I don't hear a problem.

definitely a valid opinion here, it’s extremely subtle.

I hear it more on the D string ... maybe that's just me.

It's a '98? How are the frets? My '92 needed some pretty serious leveling by the time I got around to it. I'm not suggesting it *is* the frets, just one more thing to think about on an older bass that's been played a lot.

Love that color!

I do also notice it but mostly just on the open D! Frets are recently leveled (january) but next time they’re worn out it’s time for a refret. Thanks! I really love this bass, feels and sounds (generally) really awesome! My favorite I’ve ever had so far.

 

[iiipopes]

Have you had a tech or luthier check the frets for level? I understand that you may have difficulty finding one where you live. I have a guitar that the lowest frets were never crowned properly and buzzed like the OP describes. My luthier recrowned the frets and solved the problem with the buzzing. Also, check the contour of the neck at the nut. It may already be time for a refret.

 

[Killing Floor]

Hey, don’t laugh. Seriously.

Check your tuners. Is one of the clover ends loose in the post? I have had that happen and only a few notes will make it buzz. Drove me nuts until I found it.

If one is loose don’t listen to advice to clamp it tighter. You can break it. Just drop a bit of super glue in the space.

Good luck. And that only happened on a MM to me.

 

[Smokey P]

Have you had a tech or luthier check the frets for level? I understand that you may have difficulty finding one where you live. I have a guitar that the lowest frets were never crowned properly and buzzed like the OP describes. My luthier recrowned the frets and solved the problem with the buzzing. Also, check the contour of the neck at the nut. It may already be time for a refret.

yeah, I had a tech dress the frets back in January and those are feeling good to me. I’ll look into the contour at the nut though, thanks!

Hey, don’t laugh. Seriously.

Check your tuners. Is one of the clover ends loose in the post? I have had that happen and only a few notes will make it buzz. Drove me nuts until I found it.

If one is loose don’t listen to advice to clamp it tighter. You can break it. Just drop a bit of super glue in the space.

Good luck. And that only happened on a MM to me.

Oh I’m not laughing! Checked them, I think they seem good but that’s definitely a good thing to check, I’ve seen that happen on a few instruments including a SBMM ray35, also some uprights.

 

[ddnidd1]

I listened on two sets of high quality headphones and the only thing I can hear is string noise from fingers moving along the string between notes.

 

[Smokey P]

I listened on two sets of high quality headphones and the only thing I can hear is string noise from fingers moving along the string between notes.

Honestly makes me feel better that it isn’t noticeable, thanks for taking the time to listen

 

[4StringDave]

I can't hear it either, but you will know your bass better than a sound sample can show.

As it happens when unplugged it must be mechanical - strings, nut, bridge, tuners, frets. It might be any of these and may not necessarily be on the A string due to resonant frequencies etc causing things to vibrate.

 

[Smokey P]

Yeah, it’s definitely something that I can hear and find annoying but it’s comforting knowing other folks aren’t bothered by it. Makes me feel better about bringing it out on my gigs this weekend. Also happy that we’ve been able to trouble shoot that it doesn’t sound like a preamp issue or electronics issue to anyone. Options are sort of limited when it comes to stingray preamps if I needed a new one (tho I’ve always been curious what a Sadowsky pre would sound like in there). Thanks for your help!