Action too high but fret buzz from on all frets from 7th to 23rd

[colin100]

I usually set up my own basses and can nearly always get them just the way I like them but I have a Musicman Bongo 5 and have been trying to set it up nicely. Recently I made some adjustments too the saddles and truss rod as the action was too high for me and also had fret buzz on all strings from the 7th fret onwards. I haven’t had much success and have settled for a compromise of action that is too high and a little fret buzz on these frets. 
 

Any suggestions to remedy this are more than welcome. 
 

Thanks

 

Colin 

[Hellzero]

Go to a luthier.

[Bigguy2017]

Make the neck straight (using truss rod adjustment) - confirm with a notched straight edge.

 

Adjust saddle height screws to get desired action at 12th fret (1.5 - 2.0mm ?).

 

If the saddle heights are way out of range (too high or too low) then shim the neck for correct neck angle...

 

Check nut slot height is good.

 

Should now be in the ball park - any problems?

If individual frets are causing buzz then a level, crown and polish (partial or full fretboard) is indicated.

 

 

[HeadlessBassist]

Definitely sounds like the neck is too straight. Did you recently change string gauges?

 

Set the bridge saddles to your desired string height, then try adding loosening the trussrod a quarter turn at a time. Some necks like a little more relief than you'd think, especially if you like quite a low action (around 2mm at the 12th.) 

[colin100]

11 hours ago, Bigguy2017 said:

Make the neck straight (using truss rod adjustment) - confirm with a notched straight edge.

 

Adjust saddle height screws to get desired action at 12th fret (1.5 - 2.0mm ?).

 

If the saddle heights are way out of range (too high or too low) then shim the neck for correct neck angle...

 

Check nut slot height is good.

 

Should now be in the ball park - any problems?

If individual frets are causing buzz then a level, crown and polish (partial or full fretboard) is indicated.

 

 

Thanks Bigguy

 

I’ve got the neck fairly straight at the moment. Maybe a very slight bow. Ive tried more relief but have the same problem after adjusting the saddles to lower the action. 
 

I’ve got more than 3mm at the 12 feet and still buzzing. 
 

I have already taken care of the nut slot height and pretty happy with that. 
 

It’s not individual frets but really all frets from the 7th onwards that are a problem. 

I’m curious to understand what you mean when you say shim the neck to get the correct angle? 
 

We will get to the bottom of this problem 😂

Edited 2 hours ago by colin100

[colin100]

10 hours ago, HeadlessBassist said:

Definitely sounds like the neck is too straight. Did you recently change string gauges?

 

Set the bridge saddles to your desired string height, then try adding loosening the trussrod a quarter turn at a time. Some necks like a little more relief than you'd think, especially if you like quite a low action (around 2mm at the 12th.) 

Thanks for your reply. 
 

I’ve got the neck fairly straight, just a very slight bow. Compared to my Warwick thumb it’s very straight. The Warwick is set up really nicely. Though I have tried more relief in the Bongo and after saddle adjustment I have the same problem. 
 

I’ve not changed string gauges recently. I’ve just not played the Bongo for about a year or more and when I came back to it I noticed the action was terrible and tried to make adjustments and now this problem. 
 

I’ll try more relief in the neck again like you suggested. 

[colin100]

On 13/08/2025 at 21:45, Hellzero said:

Go to a luthier.

This is my last resort! I like the satisfaction of being able to do it myself although in this case a good luthier may be the way forward!