Buzzing on one string/one fret?

smittybass33

smittybass33

Jun 28, 2010
197
509
4,966
Southern Oregon
linktr.ee
#1
Hey everyone, I was wondering if anyone could help me solve an issue I've run into. On my Bongo 6, I have one fret that consistently buzzes only on the G String 7th fret. I have tried a few things but I am at a loss for the reason I am getting this. New set of strings, adjusted some things like string height... etc. Any idea how to solve this? Its odd and confusing to get buzz like this only in one single spot on the neck and on one string only. Thanks in advance.
 
#4
If it helps my advice make more sense, to me, a good setup *starts* with level and crowned frets. It's the first thing that needs to happen. If the frets are not level, then all other adjustments are going to be compensating for that fact to some degree. One string buzzing on one fret may suggest a fret too high or too low. Something like the Stewmac "fret rocker" would help diagnose that but now we're talking spending $40 versus taking it to a competent tech who could check the frets and dress them should it prove necessary. Best of luck!
 
  • Like
Reactions: 60bass and smittybass33
#5
One fret buzzing on one string is frequently a loose fret end. Take a dowel or small wood block and see if you can push the fret down. If it moves you have a loose fret end. Sometimes you can just tap them down. Most people use CA glue but you have to be careful to protect the finish and fingerboard.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Lownote38, smittybass33 and C Stone
#7
Of course! Totally understand where you're coming from. It's definitely something that I will eventually need to do as part of maintaining it. Figured I should try and figure it and learn some things along the way. I'll have to check out that tool on stew mac. I adjusted the truss rod a bit and it actually improved. I think you're right that it's compensating for the fret but it seems to have solved the issue might buy me some time to keep playing it while I find a tech in my area. Haven't had to take my basses to a tech yet where I live now versus the dozens around every corner while I was in LA.
 
#8
If it buzzes at the seventh fret, check the eighth for a loose or high fret. Use a fret rocker. If it is high try pressing on the fret with the rocker to see if you can get it level. If it will go lever use a drop of thin CA to glue it down. If it stays stubbornly high, wrap some very fine grit sand paper/emery cloth around something flat and hard and give the fret a couple swipes under the offending string. Check for level. Rinse and repeat as needed.
 
  • Like
Reactions: exidor and smittybass33
#9
Does it buzz with light plucking or heavy plucking. Sometimes, if we pluck too hard, a string will oscillate strongly and buzz on a fret.

Also, string gauge? And a set of string's tension level. Higher tension strings are less likely to buzz out on a fret.

If you have a 6 inch metal ruler, you can lay that over the 7th fret and see if it lays flat or there is a high spot.

Ultimately, you might have to take it to a guitar tech.

Sorry about your problem and we hope you find a reasonable solution.

(Out of curiosity, try raising the string height on only the G string in increments and see if it stops buzzing.)

Ernie Ball Musicman is really, really good about having nice leveled and crowned frets!
 
Last edited:
  • Like
Reactions: smittybass33
#11
Hey everyone, Thanks for the awesome advice. I will give it a go and report back. As of now I did a tiny turn of the truss and it eliminated most if not all buzzing. I have a couple rulers and drum sticks so that should help. Ill also try raising that saddle and see if that takes care of the last bit of it.

It would buzz regardless of picking strength. Same strings before and after the string change which are the EB 6-String Slinky Nickel 130-32 set. I love this bass as it is my main axe. First and only issue I have ever encounters so im guessing its just a matter of being my workhorse bass that just needs some regular maintenance at this point.
 
  • Like
Reactions: bassdude51
#13
smittybass33 said:
Hey everyone, Thanks for the awesome advice. I will give it a go and report back. As of now I did a tiny turn of the truss and it eliminated most if not all buzzing. I have a couple rulers and drum sticks so that should help. Ill also try raising that saddle and see if that takes care of the last bit of it.

It would buzz regardless of picking strength. Same strings before and after the string change which are the EB 6-String Slinky Nickel 130-32 set. I love this bass as it is my main axe. First and only issue I have ever encounters so im guessing its just a matter of being my workhorse bass that just needs some regular maintenance at this point.
Click to expand...

D'OH!..............I didn't even think about the truss rod! Too straight of a neck can cause buzzing. I should have thought of that.

With this cold weather here in Ohio and the furnace drying out the air in the house, all of my basses have slightly higher action because the necks have more relief. I'm just gonna live with the slightly higher action. It's a pain adjusting the truss rod on a Fender Bass!

God bless Ernie Ball's truss rod wheel!

We are happy that you found a solution to your fret buzzing. That has to settle your mind!

40-400309_homer-that-feeling-when-homer-simpsons-doh-png.png
 
  • Like
Reactions: smittybass33
#14
Ha! Totally understand that one. My buddy who lives in MN suggested it as a fix as he deals with huge swings in temp and humidity. Never really had to mess with mine as much living in southern CA for a while before moving to Oregon. I'll say this though, I've definitely learned a few new skills and tricks so if i comes up I can really maintain my instrument. Thanks everyone!
 
  • Like
Reactions: C Stone
#15
I had a bass with a single fret single string farting out when i got it. I figured I’d have to take it to someone but it was pretty nasty so i took it apart and cleaned it good, including cleaning and polishing the frets, before I took it to someone. It had rounds on it when i got it but I restrung it with flats when i put it back together and set it up and when i plugged it in the farting problem was gone. I did a few other things to the bass when I had it apart so i can’t say what did the trick but i didn’t have to take it anywhere.
 
  • Like
Reactions: smittybass33
#16
fhm555 said:
I had a bass with a single fret single string farting out when i got it. I figured I’d have to take it to someone but it was pretty nasty so i took it apart and cleaned it good, including cleaning and polishing the frets, before I took it to someone. It had rounds on it when i got it but I restrung it with flats when i put it back together and set it up and when i plugged it in the farting problem was gone. I did a few other things to the bass when I had it apart so i can’t say what did the trick but i didn’t have to take it anywhere.
Click to expand...

To be honest with you when I did the string change I did just that. Figured it would have taken care of things but didn't. Cleaned everything, polished frets, adjusts intonation, heights. A simple quarter turn did the trick. Funny how things turn out.
 
  • Like
Reactions: fhm555
#17
I recently had this same problem, though in my case it was the 10th fret of the A string. I was sure I could eliminate the buzz by adjusting the truss rod or raising the saddle since the action was super-low, but I didn't want to do that because that's how I like the action and I didn't want to raise it everywhere just because of that one buzzy note. Eventually I discovered the problem: There was a small nick on the bottom of the string exactly over the fret. I'm guessing that I must've bumped the bass against something in just such a way that the fret bit into the string. Replaced the strings and problem solved.

This is probably an unusual case and might not be helpful for anyone else, but posting here just in case....
 
  • Like
Reactions: smittybass33
#18
Since it reproduces with new strings then it is either high 8 fret or low 7 right under the g sting. Check youtube for "fret rocker" and try to diagnose. I used bank card as a rocker, it had straight enough edge.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back