Could two shallow nut slots (too high strings at the nut) be cause of fret buzz?

NoiseNinja

NoiseNinja

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#1
I'm beginning to suspect that too high string action at the nut caused by too shallow nut slots are causing the fret buzz related to lowering the strings on my Ibanez Mikro bellow the 3,5mm (0,138") mark E string side 12th fret and 3,0mm (0.118") mark G string side on 12th fret.

Could that be the sole reason I am getting fret buzz beyond about 7th fret if I attempt to lower the strings any further, or would it necessarily be the cause of imperfect fret work, seems to be worst on the A and D string?

And yes, I have been careful of getting other adjustments right.

Now it doesn't bother me crazy since I am already using slim string gauge (095-040) and with the short scale of this bass (28,6") they are pretty floppy and soft to press down anyway, still would be nice to get it a little lower, especially at the first couple of frets.

Compared to my regular scaled Aria Pro II bass we are maybe talking 0,5 (0,0197") mm of a difference from first fret right after nut to string.
 
#2
It might.

Also, floppy strings may contribute.

At any rate, you can only help the bass and overall set-up if you file the slots to an appropriate depth. Keep in mind this will correspond with the current string gauge and the relationship would change if you decided to put a different gauge on some day.

FWIW, I have to touch up the nut slots on most basses I purchase from all price points. Smart builders won't slot them too deep and will let the end user make that determination.
 
#5
lz4005 said:
Nut slots, high or low, only impact open notes.
Once you hold a string down at any fret the nut is out of the equation.
Click to expand...

Right, should have been able to figure that out my self.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious that I apparently couldn't see myself.

And to the others: My bass is either wise set up optimally, meaning I couldn't get any lower action with my preferred string gauge without buzzing with any other setup.

Guess I am just choosing to turn the blind eye on the fact that there is no way I am going to get lower string action, without paying for a fret job that is going to cost me, where I live, more then the bass costed me from me.
 
#6
NoiseNinja said:
Right, should have been able to figure that out my self.

Thanks for pointing out the obvious that I apparently couldn't see myself.

And to the others: My bass is either wise set up optimally, meaning I couldn't get any lower action with my preferred string gauge without buzzing with any other setup.

Guess I am just choosing to turn the blind eye on the fact that there is no way I am going to get lower string action, without paying for a fret job that is going to cost me, where I live, more then the bass costed me from me.
Click to expand...

I'd suggest a fretmill--was that what you meant by, "fret job"?
 
#7
electracoyote said:
Keep in mind this will correspond with the current string gauge and the relationship would change if you decided to put a different gauge on some day.
Click to expand...

String gauge is not a factor in determining the depth of the nut slots. For any given bass there is a proper height from the fretboard to the underside of the string determined by the height of the frets. String diameter has nothing to do with it.
 
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#8
Turnaround said:
String gauge is not a factor in determining the depth of the nut slots. For any given bass there is a proper height from the fretboard to the underside of the string determined by the height of the frets. String diameter has nothing to do with it.
Click to expand...

If you slot a nut slot with a .090 gauge file and then try to install a .100 string, it becomes readily apparent that string gauge is a factor. In order for the string to rest flush against the bottom of the slot, the slot must be filed for that gauge string or slightly larger.
 
#9
electracoyote said:
If you slot a nut slot with a .090 gauge file and then try to install a .100 string, it becomes readily apparent that string gauge is a factor. In order for the string to rest flush against the bottom of the slot, the slot must be filed for that gauge string or slightly larger.
Click to expand...
Yes, but that's an issue of width, not depth. (I had a "near depth" experience once, though! :woot:)
 
#10
electracoyote said:
If you slot a nut slot with a .090 gauge file and then try to install a .100 string, it becomes readily apparent that string gauge is a factor. In order for the string to rest flush against the bottom of the slot, the slot must be filed for that gauge string or slightly larger.
Click to expand...
That's a question of width not depth (as bholder just said). The depth of the slot does not change with string gauge.
 
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