Bad neck what next?

[learntowalk]

Got a new J bass not sure if it's the neck or frets. Been set up but the buzz is driving me nuts. What are my options?

[Thunderitter]

Sounds like you need a set-up! Is it buzzing on the whole neck or just certain frets?

[trunkshope6]

all jazz basses buzz ,fender made it that way

[learntowalk]

Been set up....buzzing on some strings on some frets

[JohnnyB53]

Originally Posted by learntowalk

Got a new J bass not sure if it's the neck or frets. Been set up but the buzz is driving me nuts. What are my options?

Nowhere near enough information to give a meaningful answer. It's new? Under warranty? Store policies? Where's the buzz? Who did the setup and how long ago? What strings are you using? What J bass did you get--Squier, MIM Fender, MIA Fender, no-name knockoff?

[Hugh Jass]

Take it to a better tech. Either the setup is no good, it changed, or your frets are not level. None of these things are a big deal. You will just need to take it to someone who knows what they are doing.

[mongo2]

1) There could be some uneven (high or low) frets.

2) The setup could have changed with the seasons.

3) It may not be set up properly for your technique.

4) It might be a bad neck but I find that's very rare.

[learntowalk]

Squier modified J Bass. Straight from purchase to my trusted luthier. I play aggressive.

[Darkcheef]

Originally Posted by learntowalk

Squier modified J Bass. Straight from purchase to my trusted luthier. I play aggressive.

There you go, try to play lighter and you will get less buzz.

[learntowalk]

How rare is a bad neck? Serious question.

[Darkcheef]

Originally Posted by learntowalk

How rare is a bad neck? Serious question.

Not that rare with a Squier since they don't go through as much inspection, but try playing lighter and you will get less fret buzz.

[Jim Carr]

Originally Posted by learntowalk

How rare is a bad neck? Serious question.

IMHO, much rarer than most people think. Furthermore, it is now common practice for good techs to use new heat treatments to "permanently" fix necks with warp issues.

IMHO, your setup tech is probably used to doing guitar style setups, and figured you wanted super low action. My advice is to listen to the instrument at a reasonably high volume through headphones and see how much buzz you get and exactly where is occurs and what sets it off. Also, fret buzz, clack and other noises are very much affected by technique. Trying playing without an amp and have an assistant determine where each unwanted sound is coming from.

Bottom line determine what the problem is, and if your action is too low or your neck relief is wrong, have it fixed or learn how to do it yourself. Gary Willis's bass book has a good section on setups. Also, reexamine your technique.

[lowendblues]

It would really help to know where it is buzzing at. around the 5th fret? below the 12th fret? It could be just a tweak of the truss rod is all that is needed.

[Benjamin Strange]

Originally Posted by learntowalk

How rare is a bad neck? Serious question.

It's pretty rare, but conversely, finding a brand new neck with proper fretwork is quite rare.

If you're getting some buzzing, a setup needs to be done to accommodate your particular playing style. If you play hard, then the action needs to be set high and/or fretwork needs to be done to eliminate buzzing.

[PrivateHigh]

I owned an AM std jazz and it buzzed alot no matter how it was set up. I bought a AM std precision a week later and it took setups quite well without any buzzes. Intentionally setting up low to induce buzz is another story...

Originally Posted by trunkshope6

all jazz basses buzz ,fender made it that way