The Song Fight Bulletin Board

So I saw a Peavey Fury with hard case and Crate BX-25 pop up on Craigslist for 100 bucks today and I couldn't resist since it was cheap and I've been wanting one to tinker with for a while. My first guitar was a Peavey Raptor, so I knew they are at least decent for a lower-end brand. Anyway, I've been pleasantly surprised. The bass seems to have good action, plays easily and stays in tune so far. The one caveat is that I was noticing a pretty bad buzz on the G string. I looked all around and it wasn't buzzing on the frets so I moved my ear on up and found it seems to be the tuning keys themselves that are giving me the buzz noise on that string. Anyone here heard of that? Is there a way to tighten the suckers down, or do I just need to buy better tuners?

You should be able to tighten the tuners, the screws and gears, as well as the the nuts that fasten it to the headboard, on the front. Go around and tighten up each one while you're at it. (Not trying to be boss-man )

Listen close and make sure it's not the nut that's buzzing before investing in new tuners... just a wild guess, but that is another place you can pick up a buzz...

Charles (KA)

Actually what's causing the buzz is the tuning key(?) itself. I don't know if that's what it's called or not, but the part that you actually turn is actually jiggly on a couple of the tuners. If you hold them still and keep them from jiggling with one hand when you pluck the string, the buzz is gone. It's not the whole thing that's moving, just the flat handle parts on top (I've obviously exceeded my technical vocabulary here).

Suggestions:
1. Make sure it is the tuning keys (which it certainly sounds like) by putting a couple wraps of tape on them to make sure that's it. Using your fingers could be absorbing a lot more than just where you're touching.

Once it is 100% established that it is the tuning keys button and peg vibrating, it is time to take your next step.
1. Replace the tuning key assemblies with higher quality ones.
OR
2. Repair and deaden your buzzing keys.

My first thought on deadening the vibration:
Using masking tape, tape both on the peg/post and button/paddle right next to the crack between the peg and button. Now use silicone rubber from a tube and squeeze a thin bead in the crack between the masking tape. With your finger, press the bead of silicone into the crack and wipe off the excess. Now remove the tape and let it dry over night.

To give a visual of this process. It is as if you are going to paint a pin stripe, using masking tape. But in your situation, you are trying to only add silicone to the crack between the peg and button. The masking tape gives you a clean perfect bead. Trust me, if you try to do this without the tape, it will be a mess.

That's all I gotz.

Dude! Before you go MacGuyver on your gear (sp? '80s USA television show), take it back to the shop! It's what, a couple of weeks old?

While I totally support DIY, something that fresh off the shelf would be better served by the techs at the store. Besides, if they're going to do a fix, they'll pro'lly let you watch and explain what & why they're doing.

Ummm, nevermind, for some reason I had you mixed up with Reist.

Yeah, I wouldn't have suggested MacGuyver'ing it if it was new.

Option 3. Buy a 12 pack of beer and invite some friends over to hold your tuning keys while you rock, My Sharona.

Billy's Little Trip wrote:Suggestions:

Using masking tape, tape both on the peg/post and button/paddle right next to the crack between the peg and button. Now use silicone rubber from a tube and squeeze a thin bead in the crack between the masking tape. With your finger, press the bead of silicone into the crack and wipe off the excess. Now remove the tape and let it dry over night.

Sweet, I'm gonna try this tonight. I was actually thinking of super-gluing them anyway, but I'm glad you suggested the tape method, that should be a lot cleaner.

BTW, how are these affixed in the first place? Are they held in there with something or is it just friction?

Oh, and @Garfunkel - yeah, definitely not new. I've been doing some research and I can't find the exact date for it yet, but these seem to have been discontinued around '96/'97, so it's been around for a while. Does anyone else here have one of these? It seems like a really nice instrument, it's super light and playable and even made in the U.S.

By the way, use clear silicone.

My first bass was a fender too (may they burn in hell), and it had the exact same problem. I put some new tuners on it, and it was fine. Plus, that gives you the option of getting tuners with a higher ratio so they're not so touchy.

Okay, so I haven't actually fixed this problem yet, because it doesn't buzz if you play it softly, but I just thought I'd point out that I'm using this bass for this week's fight. It's my first time playing/recording bass so wanted to get your opinions and see how you think it sounds.