Bass set up issue!

[richedie]

Hi all!

I am new to the forum.

I just picked up a late 90s Peavey 4 string Fury bass. Nice bass for what I paid used - $125.

However, it was barely used and the neck appears to be bowed, hence a LOT of relief! It is tightened all the way and I even loosened the strings for a few days and tried to force the bow out while I tightened but still lots of relief to the point where it buzzes above the 12th fret.

I have the action fairly high. I think the typical bass string action is about 6/64 on the bass side? So, basically 3/32? I have it higher than that and it buzzes like crazy.

There is a neck tilt adjustement under the neck but not sure which way to turn that and if I do move it, I notice no difference.

Maybe I need to clamp the neck and get the bow out.

My tech will see it this weekend.

Rich

[Diogenes]

What are you tightening, in which direction are you 'tightening' it and how are you measuring relief?

[staindbass]

bummer. if the truss rod is cranked all the way tight, the rod may be broken. the neck tilt wont help a bowed neck. screwing the neck tilt should make the strings get closer or further away from the frets where the neck joins the body. dont forget, you need to loosen the screws just a little on each side of the neck tilt bolt, otherwise there is no space to pivot. the screws further away from the tilt bolt must stay tight, (or the neck flies off!) those screws are the 'hinge'. the other problem i can think of is that the neck tilt bolt pushes against a piece of metal fixed to the neck. if theneck was ever removed, and the metal piece fell out, you would be screwing the tilt bolt into the wood.... if the neck still wont tilt with the loosened screws, take off the neck and see if it is there where it is supposed to be. the last thing i can think of as far as the neck bow is maybe you simply ran out of threads on the truss rod? im not sure how far down the threads go. you could try removing the truss rod nut, and putting a stack of tiny washers about 1/8" thick on the rod, then put the nut back on. if it had run out of threads, this will give it extra room to tighten. hope u get it sorted out johnny april

[251]

Originally Posted by richedie

Hi all!

I am new to the forum.

I just picked up a late 90s Peavey 4 string Fury bass. Nice bass for what I paid used - $125.

However, it was barely used and the neck appears to be bowed, hence a LOT of relief! It is tightened all the way and I even loosened the strings for a few days and tried to force the bow out while I tightened but still lots of relief to the point where it buzzes above the 12th fret.

I have the action fairly high. I think the typical bass string action is about 6/64 on the bass side? So, basically 3/32? I have it higher than that and it buzzes like crazy.

There is a neck tilt adjustement under the neck but not sure which way to turn that and if I do move it, I notice no difference.

Maybe I need to clamp the neck and get the bow out.

My tech will see it this weekend.

Rich

When you loosened the strings did you also release the truss rod? That could bring you closer to an out of the factory condition for the neck. Not much can change if the truss rod stays cranked down hard.

Try a set of lighter gauge, lower tension strings. It is likely a past owner switched to heavier strings & the neck will not bear it. If it were mine, I would assume I was replacing Medium or Med Light strings & would go to Light gauge.

Unstrung is a good time to give the bass a thorough cleaning, a coat of wax & lemon oil on the fret board. Just in case you're not busy.

Changing string gauge also means a full setup with intonation. Good luck, the Fury can be a workhorse Bass. 8-)

[ggunn]

You've already got the best idea yourself. Take it to a competent guitar/bass tech for a proper setup. He can tell you if the truss rod is FUBARed.

[richedie]

So I should release the reuss rod when loosening strings? How will that help? Are you saying if I loosen the strings completely and then loosen the truss rod....restring or tighten strings and then tighten truss rod...I might get what I want? How loose should I take the trues rod? A full turn???

String gauge is Dunlop 45-105 set to Eb or half step down.

It is a finished maple neck, so not much cleaning or wax needed at all.

[MNAirHead]

Sounds like one that clamping may be necesary..

IT's common for these to have an abused past.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by MNAirHead

Sounds like one that clamping may be necesary..

IT's common for these to have an abused past.

Could very well have a ski jump, too.

[MNAirHead]

Originally Posted by JLS

Could very well have a ski jump, too.

With these, it's more common to have them over tuned and truss torqued.

Many Furies were forgotten and shoved in corners.

I'm betting on starting with an arrow straight neck.

[richedie]

My tech said about clamping the neck..

"We used to do that at Ibanez but wood has a memory and will probably go back to its original position"

I am confused on how adding a spacer or washe under the nut...helps?

[251]

Originally Posted by richedie

So I should release the reuss rod when loosening strings? How will that help? Are you saying if I loosen the strings completely and then loosen the truss rod....restring or tighten strings and then tighten truss rod...I might get what I want? How loose should I take the trues rod? A full turn???

String gauge is Dunlop 45-105 set to Eb or half step down.

It is a finished maple neck, so not much cleaning or wax needed at all.

I would do something like this;
- unstring the bass, release all truss rod tension & leave the bass with no stress on the neck at all for 3 days. No stress = in a hardshell case, on a stand that doesn't touch the neck, not leaning against a wall lying on a table or on a stand that touches the neck.
- on the 4th day I would wind the truss nut finger tight plus 1 full turn & put on a set of light gauge 45-100 strings & tune to pitch. Every few hours I would check the relief, adjust if needed, retune to pitch & let the bass rest with no added stress on the neck.
- on the 5th day I would set intonation, pick up & string height & begin playing the bass.

If that doesn't correct the neck relief issue I would look for another bass or consider a new/different neck.

[bassmanrocke]

Putting 3-4 small washers on the truss rod gives more space before the end of the threads.

[richedie]

Thanks, I'll try it.

Originally Posted by 251

I would do something like this;
- unstring the bass, release all truss rod tension & leave the bass with no stress on the neck at all for 3 days. No stress = in a hardshell case, on a stand that doesn't touch the neck, not leaning against a wall lying on a table or on a stand that touches the neck.
- on the 4th day I would wind the truss nut finger tight plus 1 full turn & put on a set of light gauge 45-100 strings & tune to pitch. Every few hours I would check the relief, adjust if needed, retune to pitch & let the bass rest with no added stress on the neck.
- on the 5th day I would set intonation, pick up & string height & begin playing the bass.

If that doesn't correct the neck relief issue I would look for another bass or consider a new/different neck.

[richedie]

I saw my bass tech today and he adjusted the truss rod a bit further and adjusted the action. He said there was no need to adjument under the neck pocket and I am not st the neck adjust sure why. He said the G&L or Ernie Ball Music Man which it seems are his favorites.

Anyway, I only bought the bass for recording and in reality I have friends who are more than willing to come over with their bass and record. They have good basses and good technique so that might be the best way. I might sell my bass and stick to buying good recording gear, amps and guitars. Leave the bass, drum gear and playing to friends and just record them.