How much buzz on your bass?

[TheBear]

Hey there

My MIM Jazz is doing well but I've been unable to completely dial out fret buzz on the E and A strings. How high do will you guys adjust the saddles before you just give up? Is buzz more normal on a bass than guitars?

[Anchoret]

Originally Posted by TheBear

Hey there

My MIM Jazz is doing well but I've been unable to completely dial out fret buzz on the E and A strings. How high do will you guys adjust the saddles before you just give up? I

It may not be entirely a matter of the saddle height, but also neck relief and/or high frets.

However, E and A strings do usually need a bit more string height, all other things being equal.

[casterway]

Some people refer to it as 'Growl', and keep it around.

[TheBear]

Originally Posted by Anchoret

It may not be entirely a matter of the saddle height, but also neck relief and/or high frets.

However, E and A strings do usually need a bit more string height, all other things being equal.

I follow Rob DiStefano's prescription for setups. I check nut relief first, then neck relief to basically make sure the neck is very close to flat, after this, action is pretty much left up to the saddles unless I want to shim it too.

I wrenched on the guitar for some time trying to remove some of the bow. I think that I have the relief at a decent point.

Probably a fret issue then?

Have others had a similar problem? Is that "growl" pretty normal on a bass? My biggest problem with it is that I play at a low volume and get to hear all of that racket. It doesn't sound so nice when it isn't coming out of a speaker.

[JPark]

Originally Posted by casterway

Some people refer to it as 'Growl', and keep it around.

Guilty.

[Anchoret]

Originally Posted by TheBear

then neck relief to basically make sure the neck is very close to flat

I'm guessing that's your problem.

Unless you have extremely true fretwork (get a fret rocker and find out) and play very lightly, you need some relief in your bass's neck or you'll get string noise.

Unless there's something seriously wrong with the basic build (and there frequently is), there's never a need to shim a neck.

I'm still guessing that the E and A are too low for your style of playing.

[4mal]

It's a MIM ? Check for fret level first, then relief. No real empirical eveidence but I *think* I get better tone with the strings a smidge higher than their absolute lowest. Not high enough to cause intonation issues but a smidge up. Of course it may have as much to do with my hands as anything.

One advantage to having your strings a little high is that it will tend to slow you a bit. Really makes you plan that next fill and sometimes go - ah, tht fill isn;t really necessary and sometimes that means a fatter, tighter pocket ... Once in a while I need the reimnder... Overall I feel my action is pretty low - just not necessarily all the way down there if you know what I mean. I took the same approach on my Tele. I had it setup to Bill Kirchen's specs and that turned out to be slightly higher than I generally had set it up in the past. I like it it that way but then I'm a bassist hwo plays guitar not the other way around ...

[Tim Armstrong]

I've found that different strings like different heights, too. For example, I can lower the GHS Precision Flats a bit more than I can TI Jazz Flats (a lower tension string).

Some strings just need more room!

Tim

[4mal]

sage words

[91xlntS-3]

Funny that I don't mind a little buzz on my guitars, but can't stand it on a bass! But I do like low action on a bass. I've always done my own set-ups, guitar expecially; and the guys that I have done set-ups on thier basses have been amazed at how well I can get thiers to play! But to me, a bass should be pretty much buzz free, but with a very comfortable action/playability. But then, every player has his own style/technique/requirements.

[mudbean]

Originally Posted by casterway

Some people refer to it as 'Growl', and keep it around.

Really? I always thought P-Bass growl is a function of the pups, amp and playing style. My 86-87 MIJ P-Bass has what I'd call a medium action, just a bit of relief and no string buzz whatsoever. And, it growls quite menacingly.

mud

[Fajah]

I use this as a basic guideline for setups:

http://www.box.net/shared/mzlz0b82py

Assuming you have level frets, buzzing should be minimal or nothing at all.

[casterway]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Really? I always thought P-Bass growl is a function of the pups, amp and playing style. My 86-87 MIJ P-Bass has what I'd call a medium action, just a bit of relief and no string buzz whatsoever. And, it growls quite menacingly.

mud

A lot of Chris Squire and Geddy Lee's midrange growl came from fret buzz.

[FraKo]

Originally Posted by mudbean

Really? I always thought P-Bass growl is a function of the pups, amp and playing style. My 86-87 MIJ P-Bass has what I'd call a medium action, just a bit of relief and no string buzz whatsoever. And, it growls quite menacingly.

mud

Agreed, P-bass growl comes from that killer split pick up. That's why I love the P-bass

[marshman]

My Rick is a bit buzzy, as well (I suspect a worn-out nut), but it feels pretty good, so I haven't messed with it thus far...I think I feel a pro set-up coming soon, cause it's been a long time (I check it out once a year or so myself) but it might just be time for a pro to have a look-see.

A little buzz isn't hurting anything, though it is distracting when practicing without amplification, innit?

[marshman]

OK, I was just downstairs with my MIM J, and had a minor brainstorm. Well, drizzle, maybe. Ok, more light a fog, but here's what I remembered: The E & A strings don't have a lot of break angle over the nut. I have to remember that I need to wind 2 or 3 wraps around the tuner post to force the string down far enough to avoid rattling, just like the E/A strings on my tele.

Happens on my P bass, as well.