Fret/string buzz?

SuViC · Newbie Alert Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

I have been playing bass for about 3 weeks.

Dont really know how to put this other then FRET BUZZ.

It happens when i am playing and i go to transition to another string or another fret on the same string and it buzzes a little and can hear it out the amp.

Is this common or what because its really annoying, it kind of messes up my groove, its bad juju sauce!

Anyways what string would reduce this, i like deep warm bass, the strings on it now are too bright for my taste and they are no namers.

Chrishas · Ferret Joined: 03 Sep 2004 Posts: 113 Location: Cyprus

Maybe its your frets that produce this buzz,IMO thats probably it, maybe your amp or bass settings could make a difference, just mess a little with them, it works with my Peavy Milestone 3( which really makes a lot of noise when it comes to frets, especially when slappin)

ubermoose · Kitten Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 145 Location: Michigan

Yeah, this was a major problem I had at first. Sometimes it's the bass... sometimes it's not...
A few things you might want to pay attention to:
1.) Look at where exactly you are placing you fingers in comparison to the fret. Ideally, you want to place the pad of your finger right behind the fret, so the side of your finger is (or would be, if there wasn't a string in between) right on the back of the fret. This gives you a clear pitch, forcing the string to resonate clearly without the rattle.
2.) Apply some pressure to the string. You don't need a death grip, but a weak handle will give the strings too much room to rattle.
3.) Look at the timing between the moment you fret the note with your left hand and the moment you pluck it with your right. If this isn't in sync, you will have fret buzz. You will generally either be plucking before you've established a firm grip, or you'll try to get ready for the next note before the first one has ended, and the release of your finger will allow for some buzz. To avoid this, play one note at a time, and play slowly until your fingers get into a pattern.
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SuViC · Newbie Alert Joined: 08 Sep 2006 Posts: 2

The buzz isnt loud and it doesnt happen all the time, im guessing its mostly from my strings, i have no idea what kind they are, or if they're flatwoud or w/e else is out there, i do know how to play the bass quite good, but sometimes it just happens, i want to be able to reduce the chances of it happening, especially when i am doing it correctly or if im off just a slight bit...you know? hard to explain i guess Confused

ubermoose · Kitten Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 145 Location: Michigan

Flatwounds vs. roundwound:
It deals with the surface of the string. With roundwounds, the core is wrapped with round wire, which gives the string a somewhat brighter tone. A large portion of the strings out there are roundwounds. You get a versatile sound that's great for slapping and popping, if that's your style. Flatwounds are wrapped with flat, ribbon-like wire, giving the string a smoother surface and warmer sound. Feels awesome on the fingers, and doesn't tear up a fretless bass like roundwounds do. I've personally got roundwounds on my jazz bass and flatwounds on my fretless. Buzz-wise, you'll probably get a bit more from roundwounds (though I wouldn't know for sure, never having used flats on a fretted bass), methinks, but I wouldn't consider that a reason to "switch" to flatwounds, especially if the tone doesn't suit you.

Roundwound --> mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Flatwound --> =========================
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Firedancer23 · Posted: Fri Apr 20, 2007 6:39 pm Post subject:

What brand of roundwounds would you suggest? I'm torn, really, between the two string types themselves. I'm going to be playing mostly jazz this year. Would I need a deeper sound or a brighter? I like the idea of roundwounds, that's what I'm using now, because I was never taught how to play by a proffesional and ended up using my thunb mostly due to a freak joint thing i have going on that allows me to move it faster and with a lot more ease than my middle or index fingers (you can criticize, but I can't fix it) so I'm trying to master the technique of slapping to give me that extra "umph", for that I would need roundwounds right? What brand do you guys suggest?
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Cdn_Dog42 · Posted: Wed Apr 25, 2007 6:34 am Post subject:

Old post! Guy has been playing for three weeks. Before farting around with multiple string changes and twiddling with set up. Emphasize good finger fretting technique. It is an intermittent problem with no indication if it is the same string. So easy fretting mojo, good technique. Fret your next note before while holding the previous note whenever you can. Dramatically cuts down on fret buzz.

If that doesn't help fork out a few dollars and have your axe set up professionally and have them explain what the heck that are doing doing to your instrument. Smile

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CallyGull · Tadpole Joined: 13 Aug 2007 Posts: 19

This guy is right, you need to stop wasting time working on you bass, and work on you bass skills. You don't need different strings you need different fingers, or more time to fine tune you abilities.

~Cally~

reggaeuplifts · Newbie Alert Joined: 30 Aug 2007 Posts: 4

get your *Poop* together! in order to get optimal tone you need to have the correct sting height, new stings, and a proper truss rod adjustment.