Fret buzz on a fretless bass

[Bass Novice]

I have just bought my first fretless bass. When I play the G string it makes a sound that I can only describe as fret buzz... but there are no frets obviously. It's only on the G, could it be that I need to raise the action on it?

 

Also, when I press down quite quickly on a string it produces a hollow metallic sound, any idea what is causing this.

 

My point of reference is my only other bass, a squier p bass.

Edited 13 hours ago by Bass Novice

[Cato]

Loose string tree or maybe a loose screw in the bridge somewhere?

[Beedster]

Could be so many things from loose screws at bridge or tuners through to poor neck relief through to worn/uneven board. Assuming you've checked loose screws etc I'd suggest starting by taking up the action by raising the bridge saddles and checking whether that changes anything. If so, come back here and we can more precisely diagnose from there 👍

[Bass Novice]

45 minutes ago, Beedster said:

Could be so many things from loose screws at bridge or tuners through to poor neck relief through to worn/uneven board. Assuming you've checked loose screws etc I'd suggest starting by taking up the action by raising the bridge saddles and checking whether that changes anything. If so, come back here and we can more precisely diagnose from there 👍

Thanks will give it that a try

[PaulThePlug]

Open G?

If raising the saddle a knats don't cure it, try a bit of paper in the nut slot - low nut..

[Linus27]

I've had this a lot on fretless basses and I've found fret buzz noise on a fretless is way more common than on a fretted bass for some bizarre reason. So the things I would check are the following.

 

1. Neck relief. With your left hand, press down the string at fret 1. With your right hand, press down with your thumb around fret 16 and stretch you fingers up to as close to the 7th fret and tap on the string to see how much gap there is to the string and the neck. It should be about a business card. If theres not then you need to adjust the neck relief. If you're not confident doing this then don't and leave it to an expert.

 

2. Neck grooves or dents. Run your fingers over the entire fretboard and feel for any imperfections, grooves, ruts, mark's etc. If you feel any then get some Martin Cox 0000 steel wool and Howard Feed and Wax Orange Bees Wax and Orange oil and rub the neck to smooth it out, wipe it down with a damp cloth and then coat in the Bees wax. Let it soak for an hour or two and then wipe off. I do this to my necks on a regular basis and they come up super smooth and shiny. This is what Tony Franklin does to his fretless necks.

 

3. Bridge. Try just raising the buzzing string at the saddle to see if this cures your buzzing.

 

4. Neck Plate. Loosen the bolts holding the neck a little and make sure the neck is seated in the pocket correctly. Check the E and G strings are evenly spaced to the edge of the neck and then tighten the neck back up.

 

5. Loose Scress. Check all screws are tight on the scratchplate, string tee, tuners, bridge, strap pins etc.

 

6. Shake it. Give the bass a gentle shake to see if you can hear anything rattling. I had a bass once that buzzed and it was the truss rod vibrating.

 

7. Nut. Looses the strings and re-position then in the nut. I'd even go as far as re-stringing the bass just to eliminate that possibility.

 

If still no good, then take it to someone professional to have a look and set up.

Edited 9 hours ago by Linus27