action problem HELP!!

[GK guy 94]

this is my first thread btw, hello talkbass.

so earlier this year, i had $250 birthday cash for my first half decent bass, searched on craigslist for a few weeks when i came across a squier STD jazz bass. i already knew i wanted a jazz bass. so went and got it, the action was high when i was trying it out, when i got it home i lowered the living s*%t out of it, it plays and sounds damn nice ecept frets 15 and up are completely dead. straightend out the truss rod as much as i could. fretts look damn straight to me. anyone else have these isues?

thanks talkbass!

[JLS]

Originally Posted by GK guy 94

this is my first thread btw, hello talkbass.

so earlier this year, i had $250 birthday cash for my first half decent bass, searched on craigslist for a few weeks when i came across a squier STD jazz bass. i already knew i wanted a jazz bass. so went and got it, the action was high when i was trying it out, when i got it home i lowered the living s*%t out of it, it plays and sounds damn nice ecept frets 15 and up are completely dead. straightend out the truss rod as much as i could. fretts look damn straight to me. anyone else have these isues?

thanks talkbass!

Stop.

Read.

Inform yourself, especially regarding, "ski jump", an issue that many, sadly for them, have become familiar with.

[JonnyAngle]

shim it.

...on the headstock side and lower the strings at the bridge.

[PJSShearer]

If you've tightened the truss rod so the neck is completely straight then I'd try slackening it slightly to put a slight bow in the neck. If that doesn't help then go with JLS's suggestion.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by JonnyAngle

shim it.

...on the headstock side and lower the strings at the bridge.

Shimming it will do absolutely nothing in this case. The trouble he's having is most likely due to a "ski jump" at the end of the neck - the frets are not level with each other. This is an extremely common issue on bolt on necks. Not a big deal - it either needs a fret level or the action raised.

[80'sRocker]

Have you tried the next step: raising the string saddles? Could help. You actually don't want a totally straight neck, a slight bow is suggested.

[GeoffByrne]

This ^

[conqr]

When remedying 'can't get low action with ski jumps' imho one of the best workarounds is to simply file the upper (3 or 4) frets out of the way and level them. It's not their fault per se, it's the whacked upper neck under them that's at fault.

[Rallypoint_1]

Originally Posted by 80'sRocker

Have you tried the next step: raising the string saddles? Could help. You actually don't want a totally straight neck, a slight bow is suggested.

X2^ I recently put new strings(heavier gauge). Got some buzzing with a totally straight neck. Put a slight bow in the neck and the buzzing went away.

[Joshua]

A couple thoughts:

1) Have you checked to see if a shim is already there?
2) You have to really nail the basics before you can deduce what is going on here; tune it to pitch and measure the relief. Adjust so that there is at least some relief in the neck. If you need help, I like the Fender guide in the sticky at the top of the forum.

Once you are sure there is no shim as well as having the relief dialed in correctly, then we can start going further.

Also remember that weather affects relief, and you have an inexpensive neck. Since the seasons are in flux (at least here in CT), it can make it a bit tough to nail these specifics down...

[JLS]

Originally Posted by JonnyAngle

shim it.

...on the headstock side and lower the strings at the bridge.

No.

What this will accomplish: Higher action, and more buzzing/fretting out on the high frets.