77 P bass problems

[Blackster]

I am Inquiring about getting my 77 P bass fixed.
It had electric probs and the action was dreadful. I took it to a reputable guitar tec who had to shave the neck even as it was warped and refretted it. The electrics were checked. It was set up for me with low action and I use heaviest flat wound strings. The bass was much better but very quite so took it back and Pick ups were adjusted. I was told it was my style of playing that was making the frets buzz. I thought the bass had improved and gigged it for 6 months trying out new amps to give me a better sound but taking all the top off. It then developed a loud high pitched squeak so I left it in its case for 6 months and used my 62 P which is amazing to play in comparison.

I used a 53 re issue sting bass last weekend and was so impressed with the action and sound no buzzing so its not my playing at fault here. I have given the 77 and 53 basses to my friend to be measured and compared to find out why my 77 is so bad. He tells me my 77 has an awful fret buzz on the lower registers. When he checked, the neck "relief" was zero, in fact the neck is bowed backwards. He has tried to get some relief by adjusting the truss rod but it is fully undone. The only solution was to raise the action so that the strings did not rattle but obviously the action at the "dusty end" is now very high.

I will be trying it out live this weekend any advice would be much appreciated

[JLS]

Originally Posted by Blackster

I am Inquiring about getting my 77 P bass fixed.
It had electric probs and the action was dreadful. I took it to a reputable guitar tec who had to shave the neck even as it was warped and refretted it. The electrics were checked. It was set up for me with low action and I use heaviest flat wound strings. The bass was much better but very quite so took it back and Pick ups were adjusted. I was told it was my style of playing that was making the frets buzz. I thought the bass had improved and gigged it for 6 months trying out new amps to give me a better sound but taking all the top off. It then developed a loud high pitched squeak so I left it in its case for 6 months and used my 62 P which is amazing to play in comparison.

I used a 53 re issue sting bass last weekend and was so impressed with the action and sound no buzzing so its not my playing at fault here. I have given the 77 and 53 basses to my friend to be measured and compared to find out why my 77 is so bad. He tells me my 77 has an awful fret buzz on the lower registers. When he checked, the neck "relief" was zero, in fact the neck is bowed backwards. He has tried to get some relief by adjusting the truss rod but it is fully undone. The only solution was to raise the action so that the strings did not rattle but obviously the action at the "dusty end" is now very high.

I will be trying it out live this weekend any advice would be much appreciated

Sounds like the tech F'd it up, when he refretted it. Too bad you waited so long.

[Blackster]

I just want to find a solution to the problem now. I have asked friends and they said I might need a new Neck. If poss I would like to get it fixed and keep it original.

[Widdershins]

Originally Posted by Blackster

I just want to find a solution to the problem now. I have asked friends and they said I might need a new Neck. If poss I would like to get it fixed and keep it original.

I feel for you

1977 FENDER PRECISION BASS NECK AND TUNERS

[Blackster]

Im sure this can be fixed just got to find the right one for the Big job.

[Blackster]

I wanted to find out why and I recived an email from a Luthier

If your P Bass neck is in a permanent back-bow, it could be the result of 1) A faulty truss-rod 2) The result of neck/fingerboard being planed incorrectly 3) A bad re-fret i.e. if the new frets are too wide for the fret slots and the frets are forced into place, this can have a wedging effect on the neck. This could result in the neck being bowed backwards.

[Blackster]

Hi I have now taken the Bass to be checked by 2 luthier's both with years of experience. The first cheep option would be to put set of strings for a 5 string bass on it to see if this would pull the neck forward giving some relief in the neck. I am not sure how this would sound or how hard it would be to play it ? I am trying to make it easy to play as I have problems with my left shoulder.

77 has been re fretted with jumbo frets and im not sure why this was done and why I preferred to play the sting bass as they are smaller. The only other way it can be fixed for sure is a re fret with smaller frets or even to go fret less..
The Pick ups are now being re wax potted as they are working, so will see if that solves the intermittent squeak.

I am attached to this bass I love the old look of it I would never sell it but it has had 2 refrets that have not been a successful so im not sure what to do.

[fenderfunker]

My 77 P has medium jumbo frets, they are the original frets too. I'm guessing the larger frets have given you the back bow. IMO, you need another refret, with the smaller medium jumbos.

[trunkshope6]

yeah whatever it is im sure it can be fixed

[Blackster]

Hi Fenderfunker if possible can you tell me the exact size of your 77 P medium jumbo frets Please. Or how I might be able to find out.

I have just contacted a good friend who has Not advised to try 5 string on a 4 as they are not tuned to the tensions required for tuning. Using strings to pull a neck back is not a good idea. strings should hold tension not create it. The tension is in the string design if the string does not have the correct tension it will droop in the middle and hit the frets when you try and tune it.The ideal tension is the minimum required to hold the string up from fixed point to fixed point which is the nut to the bridge

So I will now Buy a new heavy 4 set give it a go while I look for someone to do this re fret job but now I am Understandably very Fussy.

[fenderfunker]

Hi Blackster. I would be very fussy too. A refret is costly, let alone two. The part of the fretwire that sits in the fretboard crosscuts/channels appears to be 1/32", but don't take my word. Use an experienced Luthier, they might warantee their work too. I think the guy who did your previous job was a sheister...A Fender bass is not an uncommon job for an expert. He'll know about the medium jumbo wire etc. Good luck.

[jaywa]

Originally Posted by Blackster

I have just contacted a good friend who has Not advised to try 5 string on a 4 as they are not tuned to the tensions required for tuning. Using strings to pull a neck back is not a good idea.

Totally agree. I've never heard anyone suggest using the lower 4 strings of a 5-string set on a 4... it's a bad idea. That would be like turning up your car radio so you don't hear your wheel bearings squeak. Not to mention you would have to ream out the nut slots to accommodate the heavier string gauges and that mod is irreversible... if you ever want to go back to a standard 4-string set you will have to replace the nut.

Get the problem fixed at its source. I have a 78 P that had become virtually unplayable with some of the same issues you described... a week with a quality repair pro and less than $200 later it played like a new axe and is still my main squeeze today. Good luck.