I've tried everything, my strings are literally 5 mm from the fretboard and are still buzzing no matter how much I keep turning the truss rod or messing with the bridge. I've watched like 6 videos so far on how to set it up and at this point I'm convinced that the buzzing isn't because of me but because the bass might have been horribly engineered. I'm completely hopeless at this point, please tell me if I'm missing maybe missing anything here, I understand that setting up an instrument takes patience and time but this just has to be the most frustrating thing that I've ever been through. And by the way, I don't think luthiers even exist in my city so I can't really even have it professionally set up. The bass is a Yamaha TRBX174 for anyone wondering.
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Why does my bass keep buzzing no matter what I do?
- Thread starter Dophire
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Could be any number of things including a bad string install for starts. Pics would help as we need a modicum of detail. Any other bass players in your area?
Riis
Nut slots poorly cut or cut too deep?
Loose parts on bridge?
Bridge slots poorly cut?
Rattling truss rod?
Loose control parts rattling with vibration?
It’s not a poorly engineered instrument so you’ll need to do some sleuthing. Before you can stop the rattling you need to determine exactly what is rattling.
Loose parts on bridge?
Bridge slots poorly cut?
Rattling truss rod?
Loose control parts rattling with vibration?
It’s not a poorly engineered instrument so you’ll need to do some sleuthing. Before you can stop the rattling you need to determine exactly what is rattling.
The whole damn thing stem-to-stern, various angles, aerial photos, etc. just for an overall assessment...then we'll go from there after ruling-out the simple stuff.
It's sometimes easier to hand it off to someone who maintains his own gear and / or knowledgeable in this arena.
How much relief do you have on-board for starters?
Riis
I see nothing really bad on your pictures. Looks like a nice bass with a bit high action. To narrow down the choices:
-does it buzz when played through amp, does it buzz the same when unplugged?
-does it buzz on all strings?
-does it buzz on lowest tones/middle part/high up the fretboard on each string?
-does it buzz when played through amp, does it buzz the same when unplugged?
-does it buzz on all strings?
-does it buzz on lowest tones/middle part/high up the fretboard on each string?
I'm not sure I like the way the E string "sits" in that saddle (nor the G string, for that matter)
This and your last photo make me think that the neck is back bowed. Since you haven’t figured out how to correct this yourself, it’s time to find someone experienced to help you.
Couple things… could be the springs under the pickup height adjustment screws, could be loose tuner pegs, could be loose strap buttons, try checking all the screws holding down the bridge and make sure they’re tight, the screws on the string tree retainer, neck bolt screws tight…
I’ll agree with a poster above about the neck maybe back bowed… when you’re not playing it, do you leave it in a case? On a stand? Leaning against an amp? Personally I’d readjust the truss rod so the neck was as flat as possible with the strings to tune and look down the neck from the bridge. Is there a hump or a dip right around where the neck meets the body?
I’ll agree with a poster above about the neck maybe back bowed… when you’re not playing it, do you leave it in a case? On a stand? Leaning against an amp? Personally I’d readjust the truss rod so the neck was as flat as possible with the strings to tune and look down the neck from the bridge. Is there a hump or a dip right around where the neck meets the body?
I did some digging on google and apparently because my truss rod adjustment thingy is at the end of the neck, to fix the back bow I actually have to take the neck completely off and then somehow adjust it??? I guess a guitar tech really is my only hope after finding out that piece of information lol
If the neck is backbowed, and I can’t really tell from the pictures, your truss rod adjustment is right there at the body. No need to remove the neck. It should be a 4 or 5mm hex key.
Since buzz is on the higher part, then the most likely reason is ski-jump.
You can read a pro thread here: Getting the Facts about Ski Jumps
Long story short - the best option is thermal treatment e.g. warpedneck.com
You can read a pro thread here: Getting the Facts about Ski Jumps
Long story short - the best option is thermal treatment e.g. warpedneck.com
I also think it's a ski jump issue. The neck is set and bent so that the frets are too high near the body, so no matter where you fret you're pushing the strings into those frets.
Fixing it is probably not impossible, but hoo boy it'd be easier to take it to a tech to get it sorted. This is a muti step precess and that's if everything goes well.
Fixing it is probably not impossible, but hoo boy it'd be easier to take it to a tech to get it sorted. This is a muti step precess and that's if everything goes well.
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