Musician Forum - Band Discussion Board - BandMix

I was playing my bass the other day and realized that my 2nd fret on G String was making a nasty rattle sound, as well as my 2nd fret d string but not as bad as G string. At first I thought it was the strings, but then realized its probly the frets or the strings are adjusted to low to the board.

Any way I can fix this without paying someone to do it? Or suggestions on what the problem might be?

Thanks

If you're getting fret buzz, just raise the action a little. Depending on what kind of bass you've got I think the methods are different. You should be able to find pretty clear instructions online. Google is your friend! =]

if it buzzes at the first or second fret and you've determined it's not fret wear, and it's not an issue with the nut being cut too low, then it is likely in need of a neck adjustment. Raising the action wouldn't likely fix it (you'd have to raise it real high).


to check action...
hold down string at 1st fret and fret where neck meets the body
look halfway in between... s/b enough room to slide a medium pick under the string... is too low then u would loosen the truss (1/4 turn and check 24hrs later) if too high then u would tighten the truss (1/4 turn)


your situation would likely be caused by being too low thus the 1-4 frets and the 15-2? frets would be low... causing buzz

good luck!

I agree with mikev. It might be caused by your using smaller gauge strings than the thing was set up for, too.

Just make sure when you're making those truss rod adjustments that you do it in small increments, & let it sit a day before attacking it again.

If it's a Ricky, you best let someone else handle it.

Good luck!

philbymon wrote:I agree with mikev. It might be caused by your using smaller gauge strings than the thing was set up for, too.

Just make sure when you're making those truss rod adjustments that you do it in small increments, & let it sit a day before attacking it again.

If it's a Ricky, you best let someone else handle it.

Good luck!

To clarify: A "small increment" is like 1/3 a turn or so. And WAIT. It can take a day or 2 to react . . .
Don't go turning it a few turns, unless you're prepared to pay a couple hundred dollars replacing a snapped truss rod . . . 1/3 turn is relatively safe, though.
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Also - with winter weather, the humidity inside a house can drop to 35%. And the wood drys and shrinks. And so your action changes.
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Keep you room moisture higher w/ a humidifier.
Also, some folks talk of keeping a piece of potato or apple in their instrument case, to act like a humidor . . . it slowly raises the moisture.

I used to make these adjustments twice a year to accomodate the differences in humidity.

philbymon wrote:I used to make these adjustments twice a year to accomodate the differences in humidity.

it's nice to have 12 or so gtrs... one of em has got to b playing good sooner or later!