Fret buzz on Mustang Bass (from zombie thread)

[Big Wave Dave]

I got a MIJ new Mustang Bass. Can I get it to play with out fret buzz but still have the action nice and low? How much fret buzz is acceptable? I'm a guitar player and this is my first bass. Just want to know how it should play. Thanks BWD

[orly]

I use Pyramid Gold on mine which is a reissue

[markxander]

I just use Chromes on mine and clip them

[SamClemons]

No fret buzz is acceptable on any guitar or bass to me. A proper setup should eliminate any fret buzz/playabillity problems. Your technique will affect this also. I find a lot of the best bass players, play with a real light touch. If you go after the strings hard, you will have more fret buzz problems.

Another vote for the d'addario half rounds. I have never tried flat wounds. I like a bright, punchy sound, I can get them as bassy as I want them.

[sqrat51]

Mine is a 2003 MIJ Mustang Bass which looks the same as the new ones. Well-built and nicely finished. I recently installed GHS Precision Flats 3050 (.055-.105). They are long (made for a standard 34" scale), but my local guitar shop pro said to cut 'em to fit since the Stang uses through-the-body design and "short" strings will be too short. They give a nice mellow thump, like an old P-bass.

As for the fret buzz on the new Stang, I wonder if it was properly set up. It might need a truss rod tweak to clear it up. I agree with SamClemons - no fret buzz is acceptable, unless you like that sort of thing!

[Tim Armstrong]

I moved these posts from a zombie thread (a thread that in this case was a few years old and dormant) asking about strings for a short-scale bass.

Tim