Locating a non-electrical buzz/vibration when playing 1 string

[Picard]

Hey guys,

My Warmoth bass has a vibration when I play the G string, especially as I move up the neck. I can play the same notes on other strings - no buzz. Just the G string.
Buzz seems to be coming from the bridge - but I can't say for sure.

I removed the pickups to see if some cooper shielding came loose and was vibrating - that wasn't it.
I applied pressure with my fingers to the bridge as I played, that didn't stop the buzz.
I checked the back cavity wiring and nothing seemed loose.
The sound is coming from the body, not the neck, as far as I can tell.

Can anyone make a suggestion on how to solve/troubleshoot?

Thanks, Picard ( http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=16709.0 )

 

[Cagey]

Loosen the G string until you can get a piece of electrical tape between the string and the bridge saddle, then bring it back to tension and see if it still buzzes. If that gets rid of it, your saddle's cut wrong.

If that turns out to be the case, you may be able to file it back into shape. You'll need to be able to raise the saddle independently of the other saddles, though. The string is liable to sit too low otherwise.

 

[Picard]

Thank Cagey. I tried the electrical tape but it did not make the buzz go away. But it got me thinking - I put a lighter gauge G steel string on -  and the buzz went away. I also tried D steel string (from  BEADG set) and the buzz also went away. So it is a G black nylon string (from an EADGC set) that is the culprit ... I think.  This is odd, and I'm not quite sure what to do. Try a different set of strings I guess? Wouldn't want to file to make a particular string work. Suggestions?

 

[Cagey]

If the string fixes it, just get another string. They sell bass strings individually like guitar strings, don't they? I don't know - I've never bought bass strings before.

Seems funny the string would be the culprit. I wonder if the wrap broke, but the core remained intact? I could see that rattling around a bit, perhaps.

In any event, don't be grinding on your bridge saddle if the string is the problem <grin>

 

[Picard]

Hey, Thanks for your suggestions. I will be trying the obvious string change ... just seems funny/unusual as the string has no visual defects near the end.