I bought a cheap brand new bass guitar couple days ago, a Monterey mbe-40TS for $120 to learn. Nice lookin' thing and feels good to play along to a few of my favourite songs. A mate of mine let me have his bass amp he doesn't use anymore which was a bonus now have to buy my own lead once I get off here and give his lead back but the amp I can have.
Someone on this forum plays bass I think and the problem I have is that my E string (fattest) has fretbuzz. I've searched a few sites for this problem and was tempted to adjust it myself buuuttt don't want to stuff it up..... soooooo whoever plays bass here, should I adust the height myself with the adjusting screw at the bass bridge? Advice please
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
It's buzzing because the truss rod is out of adjustment from them shipping it to wherever you bought it from and the bridge is probably not set either. I would take it to a Luthier near you and have him:
A) Change the strings to better ones B) Truss Rod C) Bridge
If it still buzzes, try to pawn it off and buy a better quality bass like even a Squire by Fender for $200 used.. Oh almost forgot, if you don't know how to adjust the truss rod with the allen key tool DON'T attempt it, I knew a couple guys who did this and snapped the rod right out the back of the neck.
Posted by FootLongSub Zero (Member # 19380) on :
quote:Originally posted by NorcalfeetStudios: ... if you don't know how to adjust the truss rod with the allen key tool DON'T attempt it, ...
Phew! Thanks , lucky I didn't. Did some further reasearch and seems that there is a whole-nother level of advanced technical techniques ivolving feeler gauges, mil rulers, a capo and what-not. More than a simple screwdriver/allen-key turn.
I like to work with my hands and like learning stuff like this (basic maintenance of anything). This series of 4 short youtube vids from a bass guitar technician gives the low-down on the four step process to adjust the bass is interesting
Thanks for the links, I will check them out. And, don't....ever.....use.....a...... capo....on a bass! You will be laughed at...just de-tune to the desired pitch.
Posted by KDCX859 (Member # 25431) on :
I think he meant using the capo to find out what fret is buzzing, but I agree, not for bass!
Posted by KDCX859 (Member # 25431) on :
I think he meant using the capo to find out what fret is buzzing, but I agree, not for bass!
Posted by Toetapper (Member # 6473) on :
As a novice, you are well advised to seek a luthier or even a simple guitar repair tech. Some 80% of guitar fixes are simple and can be done by the owner.
Fret buzz is usually a simple problem but, occasionally, it has a more mysterious root cause.
When you take your instrument to be repaired, ask if it would be possible to watch the repairs being made; be sure to ask him what he is doing and why. I don't know many techs that are unwilling to pass along the information.
There have been many occasions when I have insisted that my customer watch what I'm doing. Any of my students over the age of 12 get a full lesson on changing strings; later we deal with bridge height adjustment and intonation.
Posted by Tiny Dave (Member # 30771) on :
I been practicing the the banjo now for two years and got 5 songs down now but I should have started about 10 years ago. Also started on the electric slide too.
Posted by abow (Member # 21509) on :
I don't know what it's called in english, but there should be a screw on the top (where you adjust your strings) that is actually a rod going through the neck. This has the purpose to hold the neck straight.
My stratocaster always needs to be adjust in the wintertime because the air humidity changes alot up here in the north. And so the neck actually moves, it's as if it's "alive" ^^. So try adjust the screw counter clockwise 1/4 and w8 for a day to see if it's adjusted.
DON'T adjust too much, I've heard of stories where the owner adjusted till the point of the guitarneck actually snapping
Hope my post made any sense to ya
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
quote:Originally posted by abow: I don't know what it's called in english, but there should be a screw on the top (where you adjust your strings) that is actually a rod going through the neck. This has the purpose to hold the neck straight.
My stratocaster always needs to be adjust in the wintertime because the air humidity changes alot up here in the north. And so the neck actually moves, it's as if it's "alive" ^^. So try adjust the screw counter clockwise 1/4 and w8 for a day to see if it's adjusted.
DON'T adjust too much, I've heard of stories where the owner adjusted till the point of the guitarneck actually snapping
Hope my post made any sense to ya
Tuning Pegs= For string tuning Truss Rod= For setting the guitar's neck
Posted by abow (Member # 21509) on :
Ah thank you Norcal! Truss rod. I bet that's what causing you the fretbuzz.
Posted by LeDaemon (Member # 198) on :
I had a 12 string guitar that hat fret buzz on the e string on the 5th fret. I never got it repaired as my cat knocked it off its stand and it smashed onto the floor cracking the head in half.
Posted by ashifechi (Member # 16477) on :
It depends where you are getting buzz.
If it's near the first, or second frets, it could could be the frets are worn down in certain areas. It could be warping of the neck.
My semi-hollowbody Yamaha was getting fret buzz on the second string on at the second fret. The neck was slightly warped, but seeing as it is a 1972 SA-50, I would expect some warping from a vintage that hasn't been stored properly.
If you are not going to play it for a while, I suggest you loosen your strings to help prevent warping.
You don't want a stringed instrument sit for too long with the strings tightened. It's best to loosen the strings when you are not using it & just tune up when you are ready to play.
Posted by abow (Member # 21509) on :
Man I've been wanting a 12 string for years now!
Although I guess you should buy one of quality. Don't wanna spend all day tuning the fucker every time a cool breeze rolls by..
Posted by ashifechi (Member # 16477) on :
Forgot to mention: If you have a triangular plastic cover on your headstock, near the nut, remove it. You should see a truss-rod there. Grab a wrench, or a socket & tighten the rod a little. That should straighten the neck slightly & might alienate the buzz.
Also, look at the saddles on your bridge. If there are individual saddles for each string, that is good. Just raise the saddle for the sting that is buzzing. However, you should realize, while it may alleviate the fret buzz, it will raise the action (height) of the string along the entire length of the fretboard.
Posted by NorcalfeetStudios (Member # 732) on :
quote:Originally posted by Bondo: Most of the time with a new guitar purchase, you should take it to a professional luthier to have it "set up": adjust the curvature of the neck, the height of the bridge, pick ups. It fixes any potential issues (like fret buzz) and it personalizes the instrument to your specific playing style.
I second this...good advice! Especially if it's been on the wall at Guitar Center getting slapped and hammered by a bunch of kids after school for a month!
Posted by FootLongSub Zero (Member # 19380) on :
NEW PROBLEM! thanks for the great advice guys , but over the summer we had 2 consecutive days of 44ºC days (112ºF) and I do not have a case for it. So it's leaned up against the wall like my acoustics and with the Bass, it warped alot. All strings are lying on the fretboard Acoustics are still fine. Might have to take it to a pro now.
Posted by Talos (Member # 39913) on :
If you have to lean stringed instruments against a wall, you face them toward the wall.
Posted by veteater (Member # 3602) on :
![[Fingers Crossed]](graemlins/fingersx.gif)
![[Thumbs Up]](graemlins/thumbsup.gif)
, lucky I didn't. Did some further reasearch and seems that there is a whole-nother level of advanced technical techniques ivolving feeler gauges, mil rulers, a capo and what-not. More than a simple screwdriver/allen-key turn.![[Blush]](blush.gif)
![[Mad]](cuss.gif)
Acoustics are still fine. Might have to take it to a pro now.