AEG - Acoustic/Electric Bass Setup Tips Needed

Crusher47

Crusher47

Tattoo'ed Freak
Gold Supporting Member
Apr 12, 2014
2,174
5,094
4,911
Fort Worth, TX
#1
Just changed the strings on my Fender CB100-CE Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitar from Roundwounds to LaBella Tapewounds. Really love the look and feel of these and they sound great as well. However, I am now getting some fret buzz on all the strings. I know these strings are less tension than the rounds that were on previously.

To cure this buzzing, do I tighten or loosen the truss rod? Any other tips & tricks?? I've setup my electric bass guitars with no issues but on the acoustic I'm a little nervous... I know I can take it to a Luthier but if it's something easy I can do, I prefer to at least try as long as I don't damage anything.

Thanks in advance!
 
#2
Crusher47 said:
Just changed the strings on my Fender CB100-CE Acoustic/Electric Bass Guitar from Roundwounds to LaBella Tapewounds. Really love the look and feel of these and they sound great as well. However, I am now getting some fret buzz on all the strings. I know these strings are less tension than the rounds that were on previously.

To cure this buzzing, do I tighten or loosen the truss rod? Any other tips & tricks?? I've setup my electric bass guitars with no issues but on the acoustic I'm a little nervous... I know I can take it to a Luthier but if it's something easy I can do, I prefer to at least try as long as I don't damage anything.

Thanks in advance!
Click to expand...
Tighten to loosen? Depends. What's the current relief?
 
#4
Crusher47 said:
I didn't measure it yet... is there a spec. for it somewhere?
Thanks
Click to expand...

There is no spec. Proper relief depends entirely on how hard you play and how even your frets are.

If you have buzz because you went to looser strings you want more curve in the neck. Turn the rod 1/4 or so and see what happens.
If you go the wrong way it won't hurt anything, but the problem will get worse. Turn it the other way if that happens.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Crusher47
#7
Update: I loosened the truss rod a 1/4 turn, let it settle for a couple of hours, then played it for about 45 minutes. It is much, much better, however I'm getting a weird fret buzz sound which also comes thru the amp when playing on the 1st. fret, all 4 strings. It does not buzz on any other frets, only fret 1. I loosened the truss rod another 1/8th. turn and will check it again later today when I get home.

Thanks again for everyone's help.
 
#8
Tapes can be pretty floppy. When I was experimenting with them the only way I could live with the flop was to set a lot of relief and high action (like McCartneys Hefner probably was in 1964, lol) . A large adjustment to technique would also prove successful but I dint like the attack of tapes so I dropped them. Steel flats are much better for me.
 
#9
Update: Loosening the truss rod another 1/8th. of a turn did the trick. Just played it for a little while, the fret buzz is gone completely and sounds great. Thanks again for everyone's help!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back