How To Stop Fret Buzz On The Bass Guitar [Truss Rod Adjustment]
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- Опубліковано 12 жов 2017
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In this bass guitar lesson, James will show you how you can eliminate annoying fret buzz on your bass.
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About eBassGuitar
Hi, I’m James Eager, a professional musician & online instructor. Over the past 15 years I’ve taught 1000s of students.
eBassGuitar is the only video bass lessons website dedicated to helping start up & aspiring bassists develop into the musician of their dreams.
www.ebassguitar.com
#basslessonsweekly #beginnerbasslessons #stopfretbuzz
Adjustment starts at 6:36
THE DATA LORD hero
thank you
You are great
Wow, just saved me six and a half minutes of my life. Thx!
A gentleman and a scholar
I can't tell you what a huge help this video has been to me. I had my strings changed at a shop and didn't realize they adjusted my truss rod. Got it home and it sounded horrible. Found this video, made the adjustments, and now back in business. Thanks!
My pleasure!
My favourite vid so far regarding this topic. I’m in the middle of adjusting my new-used Stingray. Thanks.
RootsBassCanada ...go to ua-cam.com/video/N0K_YvK9aGg/v-deo.html for a much more accurate by professionals, set up video.
Wow. I must say thank you for such an informative video. I am a touring bass player and i have noticed my 4 fender p bass's buzing like CRAZY well its driving me nuts.. So i found all types of videos on truss rod adjustments well they all made no sense.. Until i stubble on your video. FANTASTIC. thanks to your video i fixed the busing frets all i needed was to adjust the truss rod THE RIGHT WAY !! THANKS AGAIN.
Brilliant! Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
Thank you so much I’ve been trying to find a good video to stop mine from buzzing and yours is the best
My pleasure! Always happy to help! Cheers!
I just bought my bass guitar, brought it home and rattled away for a second. Completely freaked out about why it would sound that way from the store, left it alone to figure out what I was gonna do then found your video and it’s fixed now. So thank you for this video, seriously!
Pleased it helped!
This fixed the problem I was having on my new Ibanez bass perfectly. Didn't need much of a turn, maybe a quarter of a turn and it sounds perfect now. Thanks for putting this video together. Much appreciated.
soundgear?
@@princemaggot9937 Yeah I play a SRMS805 5-string. Love that bass.
I have an ibanez gsr200 and it buzzed alittle so I’m trying to fix it
@@bhutch5097 hi did you fix the buzz? I just bought the same and the first frets are buzzing in the higher strings.
Glad it helped you fix the problem with your bass guitar! Best of luck with your bass playing! Cheers!
Thank you for the insight, i just fixed the buzz in my bass with your help
Fantastic! We’ll do e
Finally a good truss rod adjustment bass video!!!! Mate thanks so much for this! I was freaking out about messing with the truss rod and worried about breaking it! Legend!
Glad you find the video helpful! All the best!
Flipping life saver (and money). Just did this on a Schecter I put flat wounds on that were also a little lighter that gave me more buzz than I care for and wow what a difference.
Happy to know this video has helped you out!
James back on August 25 on for 5 days after the hurricane here in Houston my bass neck went totally out of whack , it was total chaos almost to the point of shock for people here in Houston. Now my bass is back to normal , but some people are still displaced.
We got 50 inches of rain total.
Houston got hammered by that hurricane. Glad to see you're OK.
Great video! Thanks James!!
Yup... Thats is 34scale 22fret problem buzzz... But i like to set 2mm 1.2mm high string, cos makin ur bass wide sound
Very informal and very helpful! Many thanks 👍
My pleasure!
Thanks for the video! It helped me a lot.
Thanks man!
Well done!
Since you release tension on the truss rod you should also push the neck in the desired direction to eliminate internal friction. Else you risk of overdoing this job nice you start playing it.
Also: In case of reversing: Applying more tension on the truss rod should be done with diminished string tension.
Great share! I truly appreciate that! Cheers!
Thanks alot amigo. Simple great help.
Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
thanks! just fixed my bad buzz on my bass uke. so much better!
Awesome! You're very welcome! Cheers!
Great video, bro!
Wish I had this a few weeks back when I had to pay for an adjustment after I messed up my nut replacement. Thanks all the same, though.
Black Romulan better late than never! :-)
yes, I filed down my nut to low, used the proper Stew-Mac files, but nut replacement should be done by a pro.
thank you. my bass plays awesome now. i understood what caused the buzzing from the long intro, so i don't mind that you did the explaining as well. i knew exactly what to touch and what not to touch. got it right the first time i touched it, it is done, was easy as pea. i am super happy now. saved a set of strings and the price of a setup.
Glad to know it helped you a lot! Cheers!
Absolutely amazing video! Thanks for the help. I have a show tomorrow and when I put new strings on the entire thing went haywire and my E and A started buzzing! I didnt even think about Truss rod adjustments.
My pleasure! Cheers!
Well done, thanks.
My pleasure!
Just to say, it works fine for me. I only need an allen key. I have just bought my sire v3 and i only need one strike with the key. Much apreciated. Thanks.
My pleasure!
Great video James! Have you ever considered doing a full video on how you setup your bass? I can't be the only one one who would love to watch that. No matter what I do I seem to set the strain height too high, you can give the base a great sound but it makes it hard to finger the notes. I'd love to hear a professional like yourself just explaining how you set yours, how much room you leave between the strings of the fret with the shadowski measuring method.
Hey Roy! Glad you like the video!
Definitely, I will consider that for future's content! Just stay tune for more tutorial video! Keep groovin' hard!
YAAAASSSS!!! THANK YOU! THANK YOU! This solved my issue. 🙏
Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
Good lesson! Stupid question though. What are the limits to the turns you can give the truss rod? Does it turn indefinitely in either direction? Or do you need to worry for stripping the screw and/or bolt. I'm going to have to find a video on how truss rods operate mechanically I guess. I truly appreciate this video. I'm now going to go use what I just learned here! Thank you so much!
Good advice!
Thanks for the empirical technique; until then I'd only seen this stuff done with a bunch of measurement tools that I don't want to clutter my house with... But despite your reassuring words in the end, the other how-to videos systematically warn about the high risk of damaging the bass if you tighten or untighten the truss rod just a little too much. Are there any early signs (e.g., sound, feel) that indicate I should stop turning?
I know this in an old comment but it's very relevant for anyone who'd read : first, it's not something you'd do '' during a gig '' as mentionned in the video. Because wood doesn't bend instantly like steel does. To bend wood, and not break it, it has to be done gently, and it takes days ( even a week ), for it to be perfect. With possible further adjustments in the process.
As for signs : if you do it gently and slightly ( and 1/8th of a turn ) and be patient, and yet don't get what you wanted, take it to a shop, don't push it.
There should be no sound on a new or recent bass, could be one on older basses coming from the truss rod itself which can be fixed with a tiny bit of lubricant but again, in doubt, stop everything, and take it to the shop.
Thank you, great video,very helpful to me..
Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
Thanks for the tips, they worked! Yehey, now I can practice more without the annoying "Zzzzz" hitting me on 3rd fret lol
My pleasure!
Very helpful I thought that the bass neck having that now was bad
Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
A good information on setting the neck on a bass guitar.
Thanks man! Cheers!
Very informative
Glad you like it! Cheers!
Thanks Mate!
My pleasure!
This solved the buzziness on my bass as well. Thought I needed to always tighten the truss rod, but mine also needed to be loosened
Awesome! Glad it helped you solve the buzzing on your bass! Cheers!
Awesome 👌 this helps out tremendously (:
Glad to know how it helped you! All the best!
Do you turn the truss rod in a different direction if the adjustment is at the machine head end (jazz bass style)
The GRAIN on that telecaster N the back is AMAZING. Great video
Glad you like it! All the best!
Just put some new strings on tonight, and now the A and D string buzz just playing them open. Going to give these tips a try.
Hope it worked for you! Best of luck!
Good video. I had a setup done last year with low string action using flatwounds and now some buzzing on the first 3 frets probably due to seasonal changes. How effective is turning the truss rod with low string action across all frets to stop buzzing on the first 3 frets? No space or gap on the 8th fret with Capo on 1st and holding down the 15th.
Glad you like it! Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
Thanks!
You're very welcome!
Awesome video. Mine buzzes too but I guess some is normal, thanks
Thanks man! I do appreciate that very much! Cheers!
What about lowering your strings on the bridge to compensate?
Beautiful bass
Thanks man!
Went from light strings to extra light and all are buzzing like mad...going to try this I hope it helps...cheers!
Cheers man!
It all depends on the level of fret buzz. If you have got alot of it the best cure is to have the frets levelled, which is not hard to do. Just did my first fret levelling job on a replacement neck for my 72 hohner p bass.
Good info! Cheers :-)
You turned the tool towards your body - would it be the same direction if the truss rod adjustment were done from the top of the neck? I'm assuming so, but don't know if the rod mechanics would be different in that case. Thanks!
I would imagine all bases are clockwise to tighten and anti clock wise to loosen… be gentle and it’ll be fine!
I was told that it's much safer to adjust the trussrod losening the strings first.
Also, the same guy told me that I should adjust the trussrod just a tiny little bit at the time (something like an 8th of a turn) anche then wait for a few hours so that tha bass neck will adjust itself.
Is all of the above wrong?
I've been told the same, so we had two luthiers saying the same thing about turning the truss rod slowly and to loosen the strings. I guess better be safe than sorry.
Dude i just seriously just helped me get my bass from fret buzzing on the 1st fret!! Thank u!! Just got this bass so it needed some TLC
My pleasure!
James, have you ever considered doing a video on doing a full setup on a bass? It would be great to learn how to determine optimal string height and action. I feel like my strings are too high, but I have no idea how to tell for certain. Sometimes I wonder if I'm expecting too much. Is there such a thing as strings being too low?
Not for UA-cam… but I’ve often thought about a set course for the Bass Lab PLUS!
Effectively the lower the strings the lighter you have to play… there will be a point where it’ll probably stop working!
@@ebassguitar Thanks James! I hope you do decide to make that course, I think it would be incredibly helpful and I have no doubt it would be extremely popular.
I know for myself it would be doubly helpful. I definitely need the information, I feel like I'm shooting in the dark trying to give my instrument to set up. And, I have a new weapon! I don't just love the way that you teach, and admire the way that you play, but I also love the sound and tone you get. And so because of you, I've just purchased my first Sadowsky! I'm trying to figure out how to get it set up best for the way I play. I found two videos on UA-cam from Roger Sadowsky on doing a setup, and I keep trying to mimic his instructions. I think I finally gotten it shut up about where he explained to his videos, as far as neck relief and action. So I have the string set at his target measurements, but when I play it still feels to me like the strings are too high. Basically I don't really know what I'm doing..... 😲
Good video brother!! New sub here!
Thanks man!
I have a bass, I tried adjusting it to get rid of the buzz, and it has taken wayyy to many turns to barley make a difference. I actually broke my screwdriver from trying to adjust it. Any advice?
Dude, thank you. Helped me so much. Sounds 100% better and I didn't have to waste time taking it back to the person that put the strings on it and "set it up." At this point not sure what he even did other than the strings. :p
My pleasure!
Dude, changing your own strings is essential to learn if you haven't.
For those of you out there new to playing bass, strings make a huge difference in your sound and it's a good idea to experiment early in your career.
1. Keep a backup set of strings in your case like you would with a spare tire.
If you're playing a gig, in a recording studio or just at rehearsal and a string breaks you'll need to be able to fix it right away.
2. I'd start with a set of Ernie Ball super slinky's or GHS boomers, then work your way into different gauge strings, try flats, try coated, try different metals.
The world of bass strings is vast and finding the ones that have the best feel, sound and longevity that suits your genre, style and budget is where it's at.
3. Old strings are unsuitable for live performances and especially recording sessions.
As strings wear they lose their punchy lows and crispy highs. Almost every type and different brand has a unique lifespan. Cost is not always the primary determining factor. Playing style, humidity and oxidation (rust usually forms when the bass goes unplayed, typically in a humid environment, but can happen anywhere really.)
4. Winding up a new set of strings is rewarding.
Like a fly set of kicks, a fresh haircut or a set of sticky track tires, brand new strings are a bass players moments of joy.
@@rastanot @John Smith I have changed them but I just recently bought this guitar used and he was cleaning it up and checking the neck out and pickups and everything so I figured he'd want the strings off to do that but wasn't sure. So I just had him go ahead and put the new strings on it. Bass Boomers medium. Always loved those.
Very helpful... I was told to sand my friggin metal frets with a file... lucky!
Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
I know this is off topic I can’t help but notice your amp and cab back there why did you choose that setup I just recently played through a bunch of different mark bass rigs and just loved them tons of attack but were very clean and clear sounding but you’ve got the MB cab with the Aguilar head I’ve never played through Aguilar bu I do love class d amps if you respond buddy I greatly appreciate your input
Scott Polston hey Scott, the two just sound good together. I like the preamp in Aguilar... and that cab is nice and light too, can carry it one handed. It just works!
Awesome man I gotta go try Aguilar our somewhere soon I’m in the market for a new amp and cab really though thank you so much for responding your input is highly appreciated man we have similar rate as far as all this goes
I subed buddy keep it up
On one of my basses, I have to completely remove the neck to adjust the truss rod... It's not that it's impossible to get to it, just haven't found a tool that can.
benneburg ... Stew Mac make a tool.
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Types_of_Tools/Wrenches/Truss_Rod_Crank_for_Tele.html
Sooo which way to turn to get rid of buzzing for low tunings?
7:05
James
When I play the bass the strings don’t sound distinct. When I move to another fret there’s a “squeak slide” sound, a lot like on an acoustic guitar. How do I solve this problem? Thanks!
i have a hofner violin bass, do you know where i could adjust it from?
I’ve not owner at hofner before... so why don’t you ask in basslabgroup.com?
remove small plate in the headstock
Can you do the California honey drops Just One More.
you have to always release the strings tension before doing any adjustments to the rod... adjust and then re tune. also is very difficult to do it by eye. you need to use a capo and engineers rule to do this properly. note that over a few days it will settle too.
Thanks for sharing.
I’m sure the are reasons why that’s preferable… in my experience you don’t ‘have to’ release the string tension. It still works fine.
Hi man, on some fret of the neck i have a lot of buzz...for example: on string D i have only buzz on G note, on string A i have only buzz on E note....how can I act on the truss rod?
You need to take huge bass to a shop and get a tech to look at it…
Sounds like the fret height is out or there is a problem with the nut
I have my truss rod tight because I play Metal and fret buzz is what makes the 80's Metallica bass tone iconic and the KoЯn bass tone the way it is.
Leave it then!
So I have a bass and the strings are touching at the first frets down to around the 6th fret after that "6th through 12th and so on" the action is fine, what do I do in this case?
holy shit mine did the same thing I cant find anyway to fix it, I was just playing and it happened
I removed my strings but I did not put new ones in, I just removed it to clean my bass.
After I put my strings back, it just buzzed like craaaayzzzzyyy. Could that be the reason why I have fret buzz?
Hi! I just changed my bass strings and I can’t tune them and all frets sound the same, help pls
How does adjusting the neck change things compared to just raising the strings at the bridge?
You get to keep your preferred height for the genre you want, ie blues vs metal bridge heights
@@HIGHTOP203 but if the neck is too straight and the strings are buzzing, then bending the neck means the strings will be further away at the higher frets? I know I'm missing something.
10:54 Aight imma head out
Surprised you didn't fret against the first fret and the first body fret and use the string as a straightedge, the most common method of checking neck relief. Also you need to retune after every adjustment, and ideally check the intonation.
Simoncelli 58 hey Simon, What I share is what works for me. I know there are other techniques that work well too... I’m going to be getting a pro tech in sometime soon for a full set up and maintenance course...
He addressed and explained the need for retuning following adjustments!
You need to tune after loose, because the string tension is goin down too, and then check if is fix.
Great share!
what song it 8:47?
Anyone know why my bass only seems to buss when I use a pick? Am I strumming too hard?
Hey man..how to fixed unbalanced string's level..
Adjust the saddle height on the bridge…
Only the E string buzzes for me, i bought my bass used it looks great and other strings sound good but that E string buzzes what do I do?
The e string is the biggest string. Its a little harder to push down. Maybe try pushing down on frets harder?
@@bikerboi4197 well i have the same problem on the G string, Open G so will try this and trying to set up my action too.
Oh good. I was about to remove the frets all together bc nobody could give me a proper answer
We also used to always call them Allen key wrenches... but that's a trade name like calling all gelatin Jello
Is the generic name some like hex keys?
@@ebassguitar
Originally named Allen Manufacturing Company, the business produced hexagonal set screws and wrenches to fasten them. The terms "Allen wrench" and "Allen key" are derived from the Allen brand name and refer to the generic product category "hex keys"
I don't know why, but the reflection in the screen behind you was driving me nuts lol.
It’s been a while since we’ve a screen in our videos...
So on mine only the A D strings buzz around the 10th fret thru the 20th idk what to do
Might be string height issue at the bridge then...
Wait.... this might sound weird but my bass doesn't have a truss rod adjuster I need help
check the headstock
Or take the neck off it it adjusts from the other end.
My bass frets for open notes only I don’t know what to do
I guess my guitar doesn’t have that rod because there’s nothing there to adjust it. Help? I just got it today from a guitar shop.
look where the neck meets the headstock
Mine doesn't have it either. You aren't alone. I saw someone mentioned having to take thiers apart to reach the rod. It's definitely too much for me to get into.
Or the previous owner thought it would be a good idea to file down the nut. A twisted neck can also be the culprit.
Jess Stuart ... agreed they are reasons for buzzing but his buzz showed up after a string (brand, scale etc) change.
What if You don't have a ball joint?
My bass doesnt appear to be having the adjustment for the truss rod, and the first three frets on A, D and G strings started buzzing so badly and I dont know what to do
I’d see if you can find a tech to have a look at it then…
@@ebassguitar Yeah, thats my only option
If i put more bow, it's too hard to fret... If i diminish it, then i immediately get too much fret buzz
See a professional. I would assume you should be willing to pay, i havent exactly seen any pros about any of my instruments (i cant afford it because people in the past screwed up our lives so now children cant get jobs) but i think that would be the best route
GREAT TEACHER! Needs to talk to you so you know what to do! $35.00 for a neck adjustments! Ouch! I"m going to try it myself again! Thanks teacher! The Groove Daddies!
Happy to know this video has helped you out! Cheers!
What if its an open string and its buzzing?
That could be a combination of truss rod and saddles at the bridge. It could also be the nut... maybe get a tech to look at it?
@@ebassguitar I figured it out. The string wasn't flush with the gaurd near at the head of the guitar.
I can’t find my truss rod it isn’t in the same place as in the video
But my bass only buzzes above the 12th fret
Geo Killer please don’t take offense from this, but it might be that your bass isn’t very good
I mean, the original bass is 700 but I bought it for 400 cause it is used. It’s an Ibanez but i don’t know the model, I’ve managed to do some work on it and now only the d string 12 feet buzzes
LMM. EXE 12 fret
Had the same problem with my new Fender J bass... Normally you have to tighten the truss rod (instead of loosen it as he shows it in the video)
"Allen wrench" is what generally call it here in the states.
Vanessa P I think I’ve also heard the term ‘hex wrench’ too...
@@ebassguitar hex key, Allen key, or allen wrench 👍
You forgot to mention string hight. That has a magor affect on weather you get fret buzz or not, especially when you're adjusting your neck relief .
Paul Evans I can see that. I made the video on the premise that the action was set correctly in the first place. In my experience string height doesn’t move by itself but neck relief does..
The entire process is about string height. The bridge didn't move... The neck did!
Musicman has the same truss rod wheel at the end by the body
It’s a great design...
in the States we call it an "Allen wrench"
Musicman used that truss rod
Fret a string at the first and about fifteenth fret. It becomes a straightedge between the two fretted points. The distance between string and fret at about the 7th fret is a good representation of the neck relief, or "bow". Become familiar with the measurement which works for you.
Great share!
My rod was totally destroyed after i tried fixing it :(
I dont care about what causes buzz tell me how to fix it plz