New strings and now got buzzing

moonbeamsbecca

moonbeamsbecca

Jul 25, 2020
19
7
2,551
#1
Hi there,

I'm a bit of a beginner. I changed my strings the other day for the first time by myself, and I pretty sure I did it correctly, but I've attached pictures just in case. I took them off but it took a week for me to get the new strings to put them on.

Now I suddenly have all this buzzing sound when I play and then take my finger off the string, and the open A string buzzes as well. I've also attached an MP3 of the sound, the last sound is the open string.

I don't know if I did something wrong when changing my strings, if my technique is wrong (I didn't have issues before changing my strings though) or if it's something else.

I did notice that after changing the strings the action on the E and A was suddenly superrrr low, and they were buzzing like crazy of course. After I readjusted it was a lot better, but still not 100%.

I also then tried making the action a lot higher to see if would make any difference but the open string still buzzed.

The strings are exactly the same as the old ones - no difference at all. They are D'Addario EXL170.

I also attached a pic of the bridge because I read somewhere that it can have an affect if it's set up wrong.

Also I have another question - I know that the string height isn't meant to be the same across the entire fretboard, but is it normal that on the last frets it's way higher than the first? Like 3 or 4 mm higher? I've never thought about it before and I can't remember if it was like that before.

I'd be so so grateful for any help because I don't really know what to do, and with corona I don't really want to go into a music shop thing if it's not necessary.

(I think the MP3 makes the buzzing sound less for some reason)





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#2
Welcome to Talkbass!

So if I understand correctly, you took the strings off and it sat for a week without strings before putting the new ones on? If so, you will have to adjust the truss rod for neck relief. It basically sat without any tension from strings. You will probably want to lower the action back down after doing this too. You can find videos on youtube showing how to do this if you've never done it before.

Here's a start:
 
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#3
Pizza1988 said:
So if I understand correctly, you took the strings off and it sat for a week without strings before putting the new ones on?
Click to expand...

This is a good point!

When the bass sits for a week without any strings on it, the truss rod would gradually pull the neck back. Then when you put new strings on, the neck needs to adjust back to the original state, which can take some time. I would guess the buzzing issue the OP is experiencing is due to not enough neck relief, or even a back bow.

This is why I got into the habit of changing one string at a time (unless the bass needs a thorough cleaning) in order to maintain a certain amount of constant tension so the neck wouldn't end up overreacting to having no tension at all and taking a long time to adjust back.
 
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#4
Pizza1988 said:
Welcome to Talkbass!

So if I understand correctly, you took the strings off and it sat for a week without strings before putting the new ones on? If so, you will have to adjust the truss rod for neck relief. It basically sat without any tension from strings. You will probably want to lower the action back down after doing this too. You can find videos on youtube showing how to do this if you've never done it before.

Here's a start:
Click to expand...




Hey! Thank you so much.

I took them off and I meant to put the new ones on pretty much straight away but got delayed.

So it has not enough relief then?

I have to say I didn't realise leaving it a week would change anything, but I guess it makes sense.
 
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#5
michael_t said:
This is a good point!

When the bass sits for a week without any strings on it, the truss rod would gradually pull the neck back. Then when you put new strings on, the neck needs to adjust back to the original state, which can take some time. I would guess the buzzing issue the OP is experiencing is due to not enough neck relief, or even a back bow.

This is why I got into the habit of changing one string at a time (unless the bass needs a thorough cleaning) in order to maintain a certain amount of constant tension so the neck wouldn't end up overreacting to having no tension at all and taking a long time to adjust back.
Click to expand...


This definitely makes sense, next time I change my strings I'll make sure to do that! Although it did need a good cleaning, which I did do :)

So should I just adjust the truss rod now, or wait a bit to see if it goes back itself?
 
#10
moonbeamsbecca said:
Hey! Thank you so much.

I took them off and I meant to put the new ones on pretty much straight away but got delayed.

So it has not enough relief then?

I have to say I didn't realise leaving it a week would change anything, but I guess it makes sense.
Click to expand...
Trust me, it happens haha

As @michael_t said, do the adjustment and don't hesitate to share more pics of that bass! We like bass pics here on TB :thumbsup:

Even humidity/weather changes can be cause for needing adjustments. For instance, I have to adjust at least one of mine during that point between cold and hot weather while all the windows are open :laugh:
 
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#11
Pizza1988 said:
Even humidity/weather changes can be cause for needing adjustments. For instance, I have to adjust at least one of mine during that point between cold and hot weather while all the windows are open :laugh:
Click to expand...

I always compare truss rod tweaks to checking and adjusting tire pressures on a car. Check them periodically and adjust as needed.
 
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#12
Changing the strings requires checking/adjusting the setup. From the pictures I can see that you did a good job changing the strings, there's a bunch of videos online teaching how to adjust a bass.
 
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#15
moonbeamsbecca said:
Hi there,

I'm a bit of a beginner. I changed my strings the other day for the first time by myself, and I pretty sure I did it correctly, but I've attached pictures just in case. I took them off but it took a week for me to get the new strings to put them on.

Now I suddenly have all this buzzing sound when I play and then take my finger off the string, and the open A string buzzes as well. I've also attached an MP3 of the sound, the last sound is the open string.

I don't know if I did something wrong when changing my strings, if my technique is wrong (I didn't have issues before changing my strings though) or if it's something else.

I did notice that after changing the strings the action on the E and A was suddenly superrrr low, and they were buzzing like crazy of course. After I readjusted it was a lot better, but still not 100%.

I also then tried making the action a lot higher to see if would make any difference but the open string still buzzed.

The strings are exactly the same as the old ones - no difference at all. They are D'Addario EXL170.

I also attached a pic of the bridge because I read somewhere that it can have an affect if it's set up wrong.

Also I have another question - I know that the string height isn't meant to be the same across the entire fretboard, but is it normal that on the last frets it's way higher than the first? Like 3 or 4 mm higher? I've never thought about it before and I can't remember if it was like that before.

I'd be so so grateful for any help because I don't really know what to do, and with corona I don't really want to go into a music shop thing if it's not necessary.

(I think the MP3 makes the buzzing sound less for some reason)





View attachment 3920885 View attachment 3920886
Click to expand...

The issue could be that the angle from the tuner through the nut could be too shallow. Push down on the A string a little bit and then play it open -- does the buzzing go away?
 
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#16
moonbeamsbecca said:
Hi there,

I'm a bit of a beginner. I changed my strings the other day for the first time by myself, and I pretty sure I did it correctly, but I've attached pictures just in case. I took them off but it took a week for me to get the new strings to put them on.

Now I suddenly have all this buzzing sound when I play and then take my finger off the string, and the open A string buzzes as well. I've also attached an MP3 of the sound, the last sound is the open string.

I don't know if I did something wrong when changing my strings, if my technique is wrong (I didn't have issues before changing my strings though) or if it's something else.

I did notice that after changing the strings the action on the E and A was suddenly superrrr low, and they were buzzing like crazy of course. After I readjusted it was a lot better, but still not 100%.

I also then tried making the action a lot higher to see if would make any difference but the open string still buzzed.

The strings are exactly the same as the old ones - no difference at all. They are D'Addario EXL170.

I also attached a pic of the bridge because I read somewhere that it can have an affect if it's set up wrong.

Also I have another question - I know that the string height isn't meant to be the same across the entire fretboard, but is it normal that on the last frets it's way higher than the first? Like 3 or 4 mm higher? I've never thought about it before and I can't remember if it was like that before.

I'd be so so grateful for any help because I don't really know what to do, and with corona I don't really want to go into a music shop thing if it's not necessary.

(I think the MP3 makes the buzzing sound less for some reason)





View attachment 3920885 View attachment 3920886
Click to expand...

Did you replace with the same exact string?

You will most likely have to do a set up when changing brands or string size.

Even if you do not leave the bass unstringed.
 
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