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Post subject: Fret Buzz on 10th - can I fix it myself?
Posted: Wed Feb 07, 2018 11:53 am
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Joined: Wed Feb 07, 2018 10:59 am
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Hello there! I am a new member to the Fender Forum community, so please excuse my overly-wordy first post.

I learned how to play bass on a Squier Bass in high school and instantly fell in love (I’m a girl with small, weak hands... the size of the neck and the spacing of the strings is absolutely perfect for me). I was in a couple “bands” in HS and in college, but right after college I had to sell my bass.

Fast forward 7 years- I got a Squire Affinity J Bass for Christmas 2016 and I have no idea what I’m doing anymore. The most advanced thing I ever needed to do to my previous basses was replace the strings (another reason to love Squier basses).

I moved in June 2016 and a friend kept my bass for me until I was able to get it back in January this year. I just tried tuning it, and my stomach dropped; there is a terrible fret buzz on the 10th fret (right around where my hand goes when I’m moving it from here to there in between uses). It appears there is/was the slightest swelling from about the 9th-11th frets, though the 10th is the only fret to make contact. All of my open stings have a beautiful sound, but any time I try to play a note it just sounds like that comical and stereotypical broken guitar sound.

Here is my question- is there any way to fix this myself, or should I take it in to a professional? There’s a fender certified guitar tech in my neighborhood, so I know I can always take it to him... but I was just wondering if I could save some money while learning a thing or two at the same time.

Thanks for sticking it out this far. If anybody has any advice or recommendations, it would be greatly appreciated. I’m anxious to get playing again!

Thanks,
(:
-ST


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Post subject: Re: Fret Buzz on 10th - can I fix it myself?
Posted: Mon Feb 19, 2018 3:04 pm
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Joined: Tue Oct 18, 2016 10:34 pm
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Well, I don't know that you'd save any money initially, since you'd have to get yourself the proper tools to do the work, but the work itself is pretty straight forward. The tools required to do a good job at finding and correcting the issue will likely include a fret rocker, fret files, a ruler that measures in 64th's of an inch, the proper size allen wrench to adjust the relief (likely a 4mm for most Squiers), a screwdriver (if the bridge is standard) or smaller allen wrenches to adjust the intonation and action. Initially it can be an investment but once you have the tools, any time after that is simply what your time is worth.

_________________
2004 Standard P-Bass Special, Special Edition (black & chrome)
2000 Standard P-Bass Special (sunburst)
2001 Affinity Precision (CAR)


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Post subject: Re: Fret Buzz on 10th - can I fix it myself?
Posted: Tue Feb 20, 2018 10:41 am
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
If you want to learn the basic setups, start here: Fender Basses Setup Guide

But it's never a bad idea to give a guitar/bass a pro setup.
Plus it's easier to learn the DIY when you have a good setup to begin with - just make a note on what you tweak, so it's easy to return to the starting point. And the forum will help if you need it, usually quite quickly (see the PS).

The most likely cause (this is just guessing, though) for your buzzing issue is that the conditions have changed during the storage period, and you'd need to a) check your relief (neck curvature) and b) adjust (I'd guess loosen) the truss rod accordingly.
But if you don't know how, and don't feel comfortable experimenting, use the pro - or an experienced friend/bandmate.

PS: Sorry for the late answer(s) - the forum has a delay for first posters, and in your case it seems to have been w-a-y long...


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