Double Bass Buzzing on stopped note - buzz mysteriously disappears - what's going?

[Scott Lynch]

I had my bass setup recently by a local luthier-player. The bridge was recut just a bit, which involved raising the right of the G relative to the other strings. (Action now at 5 - 8 mm)

Not long after, the Bb right above open G started buzzing on pizzicato notes. My ear tells me that the source of the buzz is right at the point where the string contacts the fingerboard.

This persisted for about two weeks. Then, in the last couple of days, the buzz on that note gradually diminished to the point where it has all but disappeared.

Any idea what is going on? If anything it'd be great to hear of similar experiences. Share them here!

 

[RSBBass]

Two possibilities come to mind. The string may have been poorly set in the bridge slot (even just a little) and buzzing. Over time the tension pulled it into full contact. Or, there may have been a very little rough spot on the board that has worn away with playing. Was the board dressed at all?

 

[David Potts]

You have a low action - is it set up for jazz? With an action that low any little bumps or dips can cause the string to rattle on the fingerboard. It could also be that your neck and fingerboard had done a slight "banana" that you can check for by stepping back behind the bass, leaning it back until you can sight down the side of the neck towards the bridge. The line between the black board and the paler neck should be straight. If it shows a "banana"(curve) this could be why your buzz has disappeared. Letting the string tensions down to work on the bridge would let the neck temporarily straighten a little then bend again.

 

[Scott Lynch]

Thank you for your replies! David, I will take a look at the neck to see if there's a curve in it when I get home later today.

 

[Jay Corwin]

Weather can also cause these mysteries.