WEIRD FRET BUZZ AND WHAT IS CAUSING IT 

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Fret Buzz: *exists* Fretless players: I've never seen that man in my life.

I would try tapping the fret back into the fretboard before having a fret job. Sometimes a fret will pop up from the fretboard just enough to get fret buzz. Take a screwdriver and tap the fret with the bottom of the screwdriver handle. I have done this many times and it has solved the problem.

ight imma sand down ma frets

Amen to that, the sound is all in the hands and the action setup, and if the bass doesn't feel good to you, it affects the sound much more than tonewoods, etc..

Here's a suggestion for a future video: get this bass PLEK-ed and show us the process and the results! There are some good videos showing the process on guitars, but pretty much nothing on bass. It would definitely fix that fret issue, but I would also be interested to hear your thoughts on how much better it feels. It would certainly not compare to an EEMM with a roasted neck, but it should still improve it quite significantly.

Solid advice, and yes good build is reflected in your play

You’re explanation of value is spot on.

I found out that the buzz comes from not "rounding out" your string height in relation to your fretboard. If you look at the profile of the frets you will see a slight curvature in the overall composite of all of the frets from the top to the bottom and this curvature must be matched correctly in order for the strings to be correctly stretched over the whole surface of the frets. I have found that if I raise up the action slightly of the buzzing string a bit more than the other strings the buzzing stops and the sound returns back to a solid fretted tone. My buzz was on the A string at about the 8th fret and that was the only place that I found any fret buzz. And one day I decided to try getting rid of that fret buzz and do I did a "line-of-sight" look down the neck of my entire fretboard to see if it was needing a truss rod adjustment and I noticed that there was a very noticeable curve in each of the frets that goes laterally along each fret of my fretboard that makes up the metal surface upon which each string rests when it is fretted. This curve in each metal fret needs to be addressed whenever one decides to set up any respective bass. And what I found out was that I was not raising the action of each of my strings to match that fret curve and that lower height made my A string action too low and caused a significant buzz whenever I tried to play an F note on my bass. So, I used a ruler to measure my string height in that area of fretboard and found that it was a lot lower than it was supposed to be and raised it up considerably more than the other strings, and then raised and/or lowered the other strings and the tried it out, and guess what? Well, that annoying fret buzz disappeared! I was so psyched afterwards that l just had to tell you about it. I guess in some cases that annoying fret buzz can be eliminated by setting up the strings in a way that takes into account the slight curvature of the frets as they lie underneath the strings, as well. Another remedy to address fret buzz is to check the way that the strings sit inside their nut slots, too. Sometimes if the string is set too low at the nut fret buzz can occur on certain frets, as well, okay? Maybe a shim underneath the whole nut can eliminate that buzz, or even if you raise up the particular but slot using fret glue and a suitable resin type filler to raise up the one string that is sitting too low. Sometimes if you do an inspection of the string heights after the nut you can see whether or not a particular string is set lower in the nut slot than the other strings and use fret glue and a filler to raise it back up, too. Anyways, I hope that this info helps out. Thanks for sharing this video. And keep on rockin' it! 😎

I'll still get that buzz on my Bass on a $2000 Fender American professional bass 😭

I got much more from this video than just information about fixing fret buzz. Thanks Marc!

The bass I owned with the best neck was a Fender Precision Elite bass from the mid 80's, Yet, when I first bought it, I had to get the bass set up professionally, because I experienced dead spots around the 12th fret on the e string. Once it was adjusted, the bass was amazing.

Great words as always, Marcelo, but I think it’s a bit reckless to immediately suggest a professional fret dressing/ fret job especially to beginners. I’ve always been taught that that is more like a last resort option after everything else has been exhausted. So many factors can chime in when it comes to fret buzz issues.

Is there a way to actually determine is the frets are uneven? It would be good to find out BEFORE bringing the bass to a guitar technician.

my bass was expensive af and i'm having this problem after only a couple months

Very, very nicely presented!! Great job Sir and thank you so much!!!

My new squire bass has buzz when I play the open A string... 🙁

How to fix dead spot/unwanted harmonics

Your videos are always informative and spot on

Thanks for this clear explanation of difference between the expensive and cheaper basses.

To add to your point Marco, about a better playing bass ultimately sounding better, also a better sounding instrument ( whether it be the strings, a pre-amp, pickups, etc. ) can certainly inspire one's playing from a creative standpoint. ntm an instrument that has more clarity/natural harmonics can help a musician with his/her technique, as well... So, I'm with you on using a quality instrument if one desires a high end or professional sound. We do ultimately get what we pay for. Also, keep up the good work! Your video content is always helpful.. #RockOn

That is the exact problem I have with my Sterling SUB4. 😭 Thanks for your video. It was very informative. 👍🏼

Thank you so much

Holy shit thank you, I have a cheap Ibanez 5 string and I’ve been adjusting the neck and bridge over and over and I still got a buzz on 6th fret of the E string. I never considered a cheap bass would have wonky frets.

Very good point! I have been watching a lot of videos on the tone difference between expensive and cheap....but I keep forgetting feel because my three basses are all on the pricier end and I haven’t played a cheaper bass for a while.

Well said about how one should compare basses. Price isn't everything but it does make some important differences. I agree that sound isn't everything. and feel and balance are also equally important.

Same problem as mine. Thanks for the vid!

I just bought a prs 24-08 and this is my first guitar and I am having the same problem on exactly the same sting.

Oh man I had uneven fret issue on an expensive bass. I checked the height of the surrounding frets and it turns out the next fret is a bit higher on 4 string that the fret that buzzes. The bass is NG3 which should have passed a QC in Canada, however, it is what it is. I find visiting a luthier is always a good idea after you buy a new instrument. Otherwise these small details could break the expectations and lead to unsatisfaction

Enjoying your channel. Always great content presented-here. I just purchased a Sterling-Stingray SS-4 (and I got lucky) - the fit, finish, sound & playability exceeded my expectations = low action, great fret-work, and No Buzz. Impossible to Find a Case - though !!! oNe LovE from NYC

good video Marcelo , thank you kind sir

Thank you for that information, would you say every bass has it own personality and or deferences and before you buy it check everything well.

Great info. I just got myself the Shortscale Ernie Ball Music Man and guess what, weird buzzing/rattling. I was not expecting that at this price point. Most likely coming from the truss rod since I can clearly hear it buzz when tapping on the neck and body while strings damped. I'll have it for a few days to see if this is something that will settle. Also having issues with intonation on the A string which I was, again, not expecting at this price. Maybe an easy solution and maybe I'm expecting more than I should on a new bass like this? Feel free to let me know. Although the neck feels great on that one.

100%. I bought a new stingray SUB series. $300 bucks. It sounded like a stingray. But the build was mediocre at best. It had uneven frets and lots of hum so I sent it back. I just bought an ernie ball stingray 4HH couple of years old and oh boy... Day and night quality wise. More beefy and clear highs as well. Buy nice or buy twice...

That's experience talking....appreciate it man!

i have that on the open e string,if i push down up the first fret it stops buzzing any idea how to fix it ?

I don't know if someone can help me with this here...I have a ibanez gsr200 and the feeling is so wired, I mean, to make the sound it feels that I have to play the strings really hard. And I always see arround here on youtube people playing with such a smoothness...if I try to play smooth the sound is low and weak, not clear and open sound. It can be because I use a 10w speaker instead an amp? I am still a begginer so if anyone can help me I really appreciate!

I have the exact bass model, just got it. Im having a muffled buzz on the top E string on the F note on that first fret….

How is it possible that I had this issue in different Ibanez SR Premium basses? I thought that Premium series for about €1800 should be ready to play after a setup.

Dude i love your videos you are always telling trurh

Im in a very rough situation, i get get buzz on my A and D strings on the 15fret, no other fret has the same problem, i got the bass as a gift and i cant replace it because the warranty expired, I dont have enough money to either get it fixed by a professional or get a new neck. So idk what to do.

Excellent information!

So the first three frets of my bass have that exact buzzing sound and I don’t know if I should get it dressed or what

I actually have the same problem, i recently fixed the action on my bass, but there’s a lot of buzzing on the first fret. The weird thing is there wasn’t any buzz on any frets, it was all good until i lowered the action. if there’s any advice I’ll be very grateful!

but what happens when i only get fret buzz from 5th fret on the dstring when i fret the 7th fret on the astring as a chord. this issue doesnt happen when i fret any other fret on the astring with the 5th fret on the dstring

I only have a buzz when I play 0 on every string and I don't know how to fix it.

Totally agree.

I have a Yamaha entry bass (RBX270J) and my problem i the buzz on the fret that I am making pressure. I need to make more streght than normal for it not to buzz. It has new Ernie Ball strings. What can be the problem?

Sir! How about no sustain in a string? I have a problem with my D string when i press the 10th fret. Please help

Could the way one fingers contribute some of a players fret buzz issues?

I have been having this issue with My fender percussion bass guitar since I bought it and it always pissed me off! It did put me off and left it cuz I never found a true solution to it

I just got a very inexpensive bass (donner) just to mess around with, but when I play the d string, it seems to buzz but it isn’t fret buzz, it seems as if it’s coming from the body of the bass, it does it with every fret on the d string, I had a similar problem with my guitar with the g string but I tightened a bunch of screws a bit and it seemed to go away, I tried this on the bass as well and no luck, it’s still playable but it’s fairly annoying, could anybody tell me what the problem could be?

I have a weird subtle but annoying buzz at the headstock. Its definetöy not coming from the frets butI cant find anything for this problem

All true

I had saddle too low, that similar sound came between 8th fret and saddle, not between 8th fret and bridge

I'm not having any fret buzz, but I get clicks when I pluck the E or A strings. Like if I'm fretting the 5th fret on A string and pluck the string, with every pluck there's a click sound coming around the 12th fret. I know I pluck kind of hard. I don't want to do anything major to the setup because I like the playability. Does this sound like a truss rod adjustment or string height adjustment issue? Thanks.

I have an EBMM Stingray 4H with the same buzzing on just the 6th fret, but only with the E String. I noticed there was a hairline crack on the E slot of the nut. Could that be the issue?

I have a cheap Ibanez bass I’ve had for 12 years and it’s great, but I bought a used Ibanez SR-250 and I’ll never buy a used instrument ever again. Been a nightmare dealing with it. Rattle all through the neck even after a professional setup

Why is that for every fret for me E string pls help

for me it only happens when i let go of the fret

I've got a buzz on my guitar on the A string only. No buzz when played open, or on any other strings, but the A string buzzes all the way up the neck!?!? Bridge height is fine, nut and saddle slots fine, tried multiple new strings etc. Any ideas what my problem is?

You are a Great and Thorough teacher my friend and I appreciate your videos. Much LOVE! :) :P

I purchased an expensive Fender bass and it sounded like crap. Had to pay for basically quality control at my local guitar 🎸 shop, however, my affordable Ibanez bass feels incredible and sounds like it was the price of the Fender. Sometimes you don't get what you pay for, and get better quality at an adorable price.

Thank you! by the way which companies are more reliable as far as the setup of the instrument out of the box? (fret dressing etc)

Interesting story: I used to not like the Stingray tone because I thought it had way too much character in the higher frequencies. However, every time I tried one in the store, I fell in love with it again. I played a Ray34 in Guitar Center about a month ago and it felt _and_ sounded AWESOME when I played my favorite songs through it. So I ended up getting a used Ray34 in stealth black. This story proves that video demos hardly do a bass justice. So, when Marc says you should try the higher-end models yourself, do it, but also give anything you might have overlooked a try. It's best when you can feel the bass yourself and play it _your way._ People doing demos play their basses _their way,_ which might not resonate with you.

Good stuff, Brother. Thank you 😉👍🏿

I knew, my bass was cheap cheap...but now i know it is a lot jajaja

funnily enough my short scale squier bronco bass ($270 cad) has 0 fret buzz or anything wrong with it, how ever my 700$ bass (full size bass by fender) has all kindsa of good stuff wrong with it, including a chip in shipping, it just shows its not always true, however: under my circumstances, its my fault because i bought blindly online. never do this lol. im never going to sell that bronco bass haha, its my little baby.

My stealth stingray is doing this such bs

I find that I can get rid of the buzz by pressing it down harder-

Check your strings, mine was bent from hitting the bar between the frets

If the fret buzz is mainly in the lower area, usually the truss rod is not straight enough. I agree that very cheap basses can suffer from a bad action, but even in the price range of this bass it is usually not any issue any more.

I get a slight buzz sometimes but if I’m pressing the way I need to and doing what I’m supposed to, I just say whatever and roll with it It doesn’t rattle on me but sometimes I’ll notice a slight buzz. I don’t let it bother me

WTF!!!!

Just gonna say a fodera sound a hell of a lot better and different than a freaking squier. But comparing them your right is pointless

4 times as much? More like 9 times.

Think that way: you don't buy an instrument every year or so. You buy it and keep it for many many years. So what is $400 or $600 a big expense of a period of 5-10 years? This why I don't recommend super cheap sub $200 instruments. Rather buy a used higher quality one.

Thank you for the explanation, clear and straight to the point :)

it really is not hard to learn, its all on here.

I’ve played cheaper instruments that blow away expensive ones and visa versa. Quoting forest humps mom life is like a box of chocolates you never know what you’re gonna get! I truly believe that

Hard lesson to learn , the player makes the sound, not the guitar or amp

Great, informative video however, please be aware of the annoying HRT (high rising terminal or upspeak)! Makes you sound dumb and you are not!

I can really feel that on my £1300 ibanez and £200 j bass copy.