Bad repair job? (help!)

[mgriffith]

I'm getting back into my basses after a while away, so my technical "chops" are rusty.

I had my Fender Jazz (MIJ 1989) in for a set-up/intonation job. I also wanted the foam under the pickups changed, since I could not raise them. (Seems like the foam wore out.)

The intonation is fine, according to my digital tuner. The action is just how I like it for the Jazz- low and fast.

The nut had to be replaced but I still get string buzz from the open A string. No other string buzz anywhere on the neck.

Also, I still can't raise the pickups. The screws riase, but the pickup drops back down again.

Did the repairman make a faulty nut? Did he not put enough (any?) foam under the PUs?

I've called and left him a message about it, but he has not called back. (Hmmmm.... )

It cost me $75 for these "repairs" and I want my money's worth.

Any opinions/help/advice?

Thanks, all!

[mrokern]

Sounds like there just isn't enough foam under the pickups for the height you'd prefer. You can either add some yourself, or take it back and have the shop do it.

As for the buzz...can you tell which fret the open string is buzzing on? Could be the nut, but could also be a fret that is a little higher and needs dressing. Could also just be a bridge saddle adjustment, especially if it's buzzing high on the neck.

-Mark

[mgriffith]

Originally Posted by mrokern

Sounds like there just isn't enough foam under the pickups for the height you'd prefer. You can either add some yourself, or take it back and have the shop do it.

As for the buzz...can you tell which fret the open string is buzzing on? Could be the nut, but could also be a fret that is a little higher and needs dressing. Could also just be a bridge saddle adjustment, especially if it's buzzing high on the neck.

-Mark

I'm a bit nervous about opening up the guts of my bass and doing the foam myself. How hard is it to add foam, and what sort of foam is in there?

As for the buzz, it happens right at the nut, where the A string rests in the nut's slot.

[Bassmickeyd]

What's Buzzin' Cuzzin'?
(Great Louie Jordan tune)

If you slip a piece of thick paper beneath the A-string on the nut and the buzzin' stops that means he cut the nut too low. If you can raise the action at the bridge high enough to stop it, it may be the frets. But I'd think the former rather than the latter.
Pickups, foam will work, though if you like you action low and your pickups high you must have a very light touch while playing.

[mgriffith]

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

What's Buzzin' Cuzzin'?
(Great Louie Jordan tune)

If you slip a piece of thick paper beneath the A-string on the nut and the buzzin' stops that means he cut the nut too low. If you can raise the action at the bridge high enough to stop it, it may be the frets. But I'd think the former rather than the latter.
Pickups, foam will work, though if you like you action low and your pickups high you must have a very light touch while playing.

The neck pickup is about 1/4" too low for my tastes.

I try to play light, but sometimes get thundering, especially with a pick. When I do that, I hit the string between the pickups.

The buzz occurs mainly when I play heavier, too.

[Bassmickeyd]

I'd guess the buzz is coming off the frets than a rattle in the nut. Try slipping a match book thickness of paper under the A-string or if the nut isn't glued down under the nut itself.
1/4" is pretty low for the pickup. Try thicker foam.

[XylemBassGuitar]

First and foremost, since you paid this guy $75 and the A-string buzzes and the pickups don't raise, he owes it to you to refund your money or fix those problems. I'd get him to fix it up.

Failing that, with regard to the nut...

Try shimming the string with a piece of paper just like Baassmickeyd suggests.

Every once in awhile, string buzz is caused by a nut slot that is very much too wide for the string. If a paper shim doesn't take care of the open buzz, the repair guy probably made the slot too wide. If that's the case, unfortunately you'll need a new nut or the A slot will need to be filled and possibly re-cut.

[mgriffith]

[quote=XylemBassGuitar;6195412]First and foremost, since you paid this guy $75 and the A-string buzzes and the pickups don't raise, he owes it to you to refund your money or fix those problems. I'd get him to fix it up.

QUOTE]


The fact that he has not returned my call does not fill me with confidence about this guy. He seems to be the only game in town, though. Ugh!

I'm thinking of talking to the shop owner if I don't hear from him in about a week (this being a holiday weekend and all, he maty be busy).

A partial refund would be nice, but I would just as soon have the Jazz bass work right in all regards. That's what I paid for, after all!