Action sucks after reassembling Ibanez

Boriega · #1 01-22-2010, 10:20 PM

My friend gave me his old Ibanez 4-string P-bass (not sure the model name but it's a pretty basic one). It had all kinds of random glittery stars and other nonsense painted on it so I took it apart and repainted it. When I put it back together the action turned to complete doodoo. It was good before and I didn't change anything on the bridge.

What could be the purpose of this change and how might I be able to fix it? Thanks in advance for your help!

electracoyote · #2 01-22-2010, 10:26 PM

Were there any shims in the neck pocket? Did you paint the neck pocket?

Boriega · #3 01-22-2010, 10:37 PM

No there are no shims but I did paint the neck pocket. I guess I should sand it down but the difference in action is much more than a layer of paint's worth. It's like a 3 millimeter change.

dmusic148 · #4 01-22-2010, 10:48 PM

If you have even a small amount of paint buildup in the pocket, especially a drip or a run, near the pocket opening, this will happen. A business card's worth of paint there will make a big difference in the action. I'd bet this is where the problem is. If so, be careful removing it- you need to maintain the flatness of the pocket floor.

Boriega · #5 01-22-2010, 10:53 PM

Well dang.

Hope I didn't destroy this otherwise decent bass. I guess I'll take some fine sandpaper to it and see if I can't fix it. Thanks for your help guys.

dmusic148 · #6 01-22-2010, 10:54 PM

If it's what I described, you can slice it out with a single edged razor blade, careful of your fingers though!!
It'll be fine. This is NOT a big problem, don't worry.

steelhead2 · #7 01-22-2010, 11:09 PM

but with the moisture around here being constantly changing=(and being a bondoshop guy) i'd utilise a block of wood,paint stick,lathe(lath?,heck! i can't spell it because it's an old school deal!),,andwrap your sandpaper around that and `block sand' the neck pocket

then i go`320 shim' or 150 shim or 80 shim meaning i'll use a strip of sandpaper of THAT GRIT to shim the neck with 320 being thinnest,brand new Squier had a strip between the screws so why not?/works for me!

i'd be wary of moisture, i'm at a point where i can virtually feel/see an instrument sucking up moisture,no! it's not all the LSD!

,when i take them back in the bedroom they sweat and,,hey where we going with this!?

anyway yes i'm joking about the LSD but the sweating no,,and the saddles? have they been touched at all? gotta fine tune those=good luck

electracoyote · #8 01-23-2010, 08:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boriega

Well dang.

Hope I didn't destroy this otherwise decent bass. I guess I'll take some fine sandpaper to it and see if I can't fix it. Thanks for your help guys.

I wouldn't sand it. Too much risk of changing the plane of the neck pocket. A thinner or mineral spirit to melt away the paint would be a better choice.