Annoying buzz on Bass any advice please

[Robbo]

Just wondering if anyone has any recommendations on how to cure an annoying buzz on my Bass, just recently my Bass has started to buzz on both open strings and fretted notes, not been very technical I don’t know what it is or how to fix it, at first I thought it was a rattle type noise and something was loose, then I noticed the buzz on playing just open strings but it doesn’t happen all the time, so it’s confusing, tried googling some suggestions and apparently it’s an easy fix and possibly the neck needs some relief or something like that, grateful for any advice and suggestions, thanks in advance.

[Geek99]

What kind of bass? More things to consider with an active etc ….

[Robbo]

2 minutes ago, Geek99 said:

What kind of bass? More things to consider with an active etc ….

It’s a Jet Bass (brand make) Jazz type configuration passive 

[Mykesbass]

https://www.basschat.co.uk/topic/277468-bcers-prepared-to-help-fix-a-bass/

[uk_lefty]

Might sound a bit daft but it could be the angle you're holding the bass at.... Try standing up with it hanging on a strap in a natural playing position. If you're tilting the bass various ways while you play to see where the buzz is coming from it can come and go. What's important is whether it buzzes when in a natural playing position. If it's new, and I know Jet has a good reputation but they are more towards the budget end, it possibly hasn't had the best set up out of the factory so it may need a proper set up. You can either do this yourself (watch loads of YouTube videos, Google, use this forum) or if you're not confident it find a local BC'er who may be kind enough to help

[Geek99]

Try

a different cable

a different amp

a different house

Same cable, different house etc 

[Dad3353]

3 hours ago, Robbo said:

... grateful for any advice and suggestions, thanks in advance.

 

The term 'buzz' could refer to many things, concerning a bass. Mechanical (something loose inside vibrating..?), playing technique (strings too close to the frets..?), electrical problems (buzz from the amp/speakers..?) and much more. Two options, really...

 - Film yourself playing, making sure that the buzz is captured on the video, and post it here, so that we may see/hear what's going on, or...

 - Meet up with a fellow bass player (from this Forum..?), and show him/her the issue.

Of course, a visit to a reputable technicien would do the trick, too, but the solution may be simple, if only 'we' (the Bass Hive...) knew precisely what you mean by 'buzz'. Any help..? 

[Geek99]

Nailed it @Dad3353

[Norris]

5 hours ago, Robbo said:

at first I thought it was a rattle type noise and something was loose

 

There's not much to go on from your description, but just hazarding a guess - perhaps a machine head might be loose? Try wrapping an elastic band or a cloth around your tuners to see if that stops it

[Robbo]

8 hours ago, uk_lefty said:

Might sound a bit daft but it could be the angle you're holding the bass at.... Try standing up with it hanging on a strap in a natural playing position. If you're tilting the bass various ways while you play to see where the buzz is coming from it can come and go. What's important is whether it buzzes when in a natural playing position. If it's new, and I know Jet has a good reputation but they are more towards the budget end, it possibly hasn't had the best set up out of the factory so it may need a proper set up. You can either do this yourself (watch loads of YouTube videos, Google, use this forum) or if you're not confident it find a local BC'er who may be kind enough to help

Thanks for the suggestions 

[Robbo]

7 hours ago, Dad3353 said:

 

The term 'buzz' could refer to many things, concerning a bass. Mechanical (something loose inside vibrating..?), playing technique (strings too close to the frets..?), electrical problems (buzz from the amp/speakers..?) and much more. Two options, really...

 - Film yourself playing, making sure that the buzz is captured on the video, and post it here, so that we may see/hear what's going on, or...

 - Meet up with a fellow bass player (from this Forum..?), and show him/her the issue.

Of course, a visit to a reputable technicien would do the trick, too, but the solution may be simple, if only 'we' (the Bass Hive...) knew precisely what you mean by 'buzz'. Any help..? 

Thanks 

[Robbo]

6 hours ago, Norris said:

 

There's not much to go on from your description, but just hazarding a guess - perhaps a machine head might be loose? Try wrapping an elastic band or a cloth around your tuners to see if that stops it

Thanks 

[Robbo]

The buzzing I noticed when playing the bass unplugged I usually pick it up and have a quick plonk on it when I can, I often practice this way (unplugged) don’t know why just seems convenient at times (busy life schedule) my wife is very poorly so practice is limited, UK Lefty made some interesting comments on could be the way your holding the bass etc has it doesn’t buzz all the time.

When I practice with the amp I usually wear headphones and haven’t noticed it, so will be trying a few things over the next day or so and I have contacted my friend who is going to take a look at it for me.

But thank you to everyone who has commented and come up with suggestions much appreciated cheers for now.

[Mrbigstuff]

If it is buzzing when unplugged then you can at least rule out electrical issues. It could still be as simple as fret buzz (either not enough relief in the neck or uneven frets), or as has been pointed out, loose hardware. Also worth checking how well the strings sit in the nut.

[Geek99]

Have you changed string brand or gauge recently?

[Geek99]

I had this when I’d wrapped the string badly around the tuner. Make sure the string ends up at the bottom of the wraps around the tuner, not the top. 
 

any particular string or at any particular fret ? 

[Robbo]

1 hour ago, OliverBlackman said:

If it is buzzing when unplugged then you can at least rule out electrical issues. It could still be as simple as fret buzz (either not enough relief in the neck or uneven frets), or as has been pointed out, loose hardware. Also worth checking how well the strings sit in the nut.

Thanks for the advice 

[Robbo]

1 hour ago, Geek99 said:

Have you changed string brand or gauge recently?

No factory strings DiDario I think?

[Reggaebass]

Sometimes it can be just a loose tuner, maybe try holding each one in turn just to eliminate if it’s them, I’d try the same with the bridge saddles, I’m guessing it’s probably something simple, it can be annoying though, good luck 

[Robbo]

18 minutes ago, Reggaebass said:

Sometimes it can be just a loose tuner, maybe try holding each one in turn just to eliminate if it’s them, I’d try the same with the bridge saddles, I’m guessing it’s probably something simple, it can be annoying though, good luck 

Thanks, yes I hope so.

[Cliff Edge]

Sounds very much like fret buzz so a proper set up should cure it. Plenty of how to’s on YouTube and worth knowing how to do it yourself.

[Robbo]

19 hours ago, Cliff Edge said:

Sounds very much like fret buzz so a proper set up should cure it. Plenty of how to’s on YouTube and worth knowing how to do it yourself.

Thanks Cliff