Fret Buzz : acceptable or not?

#101
I dial it to the lowest point where there's no buzz and then lower it slightly further so I can intentionally create "clank" out of it. The action on my SG bass is currently 1 mm at bass side, 0.5 mm on the treble side. If I pluck really hard at the neck or dig in hard with a pick, it clanks as I intend. Doesn't buzz if plucked/picked regular-softly or typewritten. But when I think about it, typewriting is basically playing upon the clank. :laugh:
 
#102
Iristone said:
The action on my SG bass is currently 1 mm at bass side, 0.5 mm on the treble side.
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At which point are you measuring ? Sheer curiosity on my end...

Back to the topic, I can't stand fret buzz - at least what *I* perceive to be buzz - on my instruments. I play with a *very* light right hand nowadays, although there's that 10% of the time when I have to smack the string against the fret for the purposes of a particular song but when I go back to the "caress" mode, the buzz is not there anymore.

My $0.02 only...
 
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#105
Loring said:
Most people have slightly higher action on the low strings mine actually goes 2.25 to 1.75.
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I think this is just a matter of personal taste and set up preference, Loring. The term "most people" has always been a rather difficult one to generalise or quantify for.

On a 4 string I personally prefer having no more than a 0.25mm difference between the highest and lowest strings' actions, but on a 5 string I set this to a 0.5mm difference -like yours- (G= 1.5mm - B= 2mm at the 12th fret).

My personal objective is to achieve a workable compromise between fret rattle and clean notes whilst remaining comfortable and fast to play on.
 
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#106
HalfManHalfBass said:
I think this is just a matter of personal taste and set up preference, Loring. The term "most people" has always been a rather difficult one to generalise or quantify for.

On a 4 string I personally prefer having no more than a 0.25mm difference between the highest and lowest strings' actions, but on a 5 string I set this to a 0.5mm difference -like yours- (G= 1.5mm - B= 2mm at the 12th fret).

My personal objective is to achieve a workable compromise between fret rattle and clean notes whilst remaining comfortable and fast to play on.
Click to expand...


Most articles I have read either show declining string height going E-G (or B-G/C) or keeping them the same - following the curve of the fingerboard. As you said - personal preference should be the guideline here as a declining action may affect your playing string to string.

I think the main reason declining is suggested is that you can get away with lower action there due to higher tension (usually) on the G as well as less mass of the string requires less force to get it moving. On top of that most people's right hand technique becomes more perpendicular as the hand moves to the higher register (not so much for floating thumb people but definitely for those of us that anchor to the low string/pickup/thumb rest/ramp).

The other thing we need to realize - there is a difference between buzz and clank. If there is buzz during the sustained note - I do not like it. I do however like to be able to dig in or change the angle of attack to get clank as desired.
 
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#107
As others have indicated, the more you dig in - the more buzz will enter your sound though how much and how hard drives the bus. On the other hand, having had some buzz since my first Rick in the 70's (couldn't resist) the most important thing is noticing when the buzz changes - usually indicating time for a fresh setup. I have a couple basses which when the heating season changes need a truss, check the string height, adjust the action, radius etc. I always find something and usually am happier at the end. I'm done till fall now though I'll keep listening!
 
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