Annoying fret buzz

[Tim Bishop]

Just curious. Is the finish on the bass lacquer or oil?

[Maurice Hason]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Just curious. Is the finish on the bass lacquer or oil?

It has an oil finish

[Tim Bishop]

That's what I suspected. That's my favorite finish.

Get yourself a correct set-up and you'll be good to go. Then, be sure to properly care for it going forward.

[Tim Bishop]

Did the bass come new with Smith Medium Taper Core Strings?

[Maurice Hason]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Did the bass come new with Smith Medium Taper Core Strings?

Yes, I didn't change the strings yet since I got it.
I am taking good care of the bass. The weather here changed radically during the last few weeks. The bass was always in the case but it seems like the climate change did its part anyway.

[Tim Bishop]

Originally Posted by Maurice Hason

Yes, I didn't change the strings yet since I got it.
I am taking good care of the bass. The weather here changed radically during the last few weeks. The bass was always in the case but it seems like the climate change did its part anyway.

Well, at least you had it in the case! That's a good thing. Yeah, sounds like the "radical" climate change played its part.

Also, if you like the Smith Medium Taper Cores (and I can't imagine why you wouldn't), use the same strings and gauge going forward, other-wise, prepare for another set-up to accomodate the different strings/gauge. Ken does a nice set-up and the Smith Medium Taper Cores are the perfect match for any Smith bass. So any tweeking you do, should be minimal, using the same strings.

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Maurice Hason

Yes, I didn't change the strings yet since I got it.
I am taking good care of the bass. The weather here changed radically during the last few weeks. The bass was always in the case but it seems like the climate change did its part anyway.

The bass which is made mainly from wood like most instruments is affected by drastic and sudden climate and humidity changes. I would say the humidity is a bigger problem than the temperature. If you can humidify the room where the bass is kept to about 35% minimum about 50% maximum it will help the stability of the neck and all the glue joints overall. We have similar problems from time to time after basses are completed and sitting in stock or in set-up. Usually a slight 'specific' area fret dress handles the most sever problems as well as fret edges which is the most common problem when we have one. Basses are usually only strung up from a few minutes to a day or so before going into the case and then shipped. I am not there to examine the bass so I can't advise you exactly what needs to be done in your case.