Unusual Fret Buzz - Help

[dannoman]

So i have a P bass that has fret buzz on the 4th fret of the D string only. The other strings all play fine in the same position. Cant figure out what it is. 3rd fret plays fine, 5th fret plays fine. Only when i play the 4th it will completely buzz out.

Any ideas?

 

[gitfiddl]

Any obvious fret damage? Is it dinged or pulling up? Bad string winding at that point?

Outside of the obvious serious solutions, have you tried flat-wound strings or perhaps a tort pickguard? Maybe a class-D amp? Those seem to be cure-all solutions lately...

 

[dannoman]

Sorry, was about to add that it has had a complete level and crown on it. I thought about the Tort, just wasn't sure. lol

 

[Gilmourisgod]

Buzzing below the 12th fret can often be nut problems, has anybody checked the G string height above first fret? Maybe that nut slot is low. It may actually be buzzing behind the 4th fret on 1-3. If not, it almost has to be a high fret end, probably the 5th or 6th. Just because it was leveled doesn't mean a fret end hasn't popped up since. Can you get a fingernail between any fret ends and the fingerboard?

Fret buzz behind the fretted note.

 

[RSBBass]

It also could be sympathetic vibrations. Something may be buzzing at F#. Try playing the F# on the ninth fret of the A string.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

If it’s some kind of sympathetic vibration weirdness, slightly tightening or loosening the trussrod night move it elsewhere or eliminate it. Maybe loosen it 1/4 turn to add a bit more relief and see if it improves, if not, tighten it back to where you found it and let a good guitar tech chase it. I’m chasing a similar mysterious buzz on the G string around the 17th fret, with no high frets when checked with a fret rocker. Curious to hear how this gets resolved, keep us posted!

 

[dannoman]

Will do. My tech (who i trust) thinks its the neck itself.