Buzz, especially on the lower strings or when playing hard
- Usually
- Too little neck relief, low saddles or uneven frets.
- What we do
- A setup for relief and action, set to how hard you play. Fret work if needed.
Bass
Basses have long necks and heavy strings, so they feel changes in tension and humidity more than a guitar does. Here is what bass players notice most.
Common problems
What players notice most, what is usually behind it, and how we sort it out.
Strings feel high and the neck tiring to play
- Usually
- Too much relief after a change of season, high saddles or a high nut.
- What we do
- A full setup, with nut work if needed.
Notes higher up the neck sound sharp or flat
- Usually
- Intonation is off, or the strings are old and no longer vibrate evenly.
- What we do
- New strings and intonation.
Dull sound with little sustain
- Usually
- Old strings. Bass strings lose their brightness over time, even when they look fine.
- What we do
- Restringing. We can help you choose the set.
Weak, distorted or no sound on an active bass
- Usually
- A low 9V battery, or a loose connection in the preamp or jack.
- What we do
- Checking the battery, wiring and output jack.
Sharp fret ends along the side of the neck
- Usually
- The fretboard shrinks a little in dry conditions and the fret ends stick out.
- What we do
- Filing and dressing the fret ends.
Parts we look at
Truss rod
Keeps the long neck straight against heavy string tension.
Frets
Wear unevenly over time, causing buzz in some spots.
Bridge saddles
Set string height and intonation for each string.
Pickups
Their height changes output and the balance between strings.
Output jack
A loose jack is one of the most common causes of the sound cutting out.
Tuners
Need to turn smoothly and hold tension without slipping.
Looking after it
- Change strings when the sound goes dull, not only when one breaks.
- On an active bass, unplug the cable when you're not playing, as it drains the battery.
- Store it away from heaters; the long neck reacts to dry air.
- Have the setup checked when the seasons change.
Something feels off?
Send us a photo and tell us what you notice. We'll tell you what it probably is and what it would cost.
