Big problems with my Ibanez GSR200

Lorenzo89 · #1 02-04-2009, 10:36 AM

When I first bought this bass, it was ok,I lowered the strings a bit and it was ready to play.
Here is the situation of the bass now: It is totaly unplayable. I tried everything, from adjusting the truss rod, to adjusting string height and everything else. I like low action, and when I lower the strings on it, the buzz is everywhere, I cant play it like that. If I put strings high enough to get rid of the buzz, they are too high and I can't slap it (90% of my playing is slap). Maybe I need to level the frets or something? My friend has the same bass, and when I took it into my hands, than i realized how my bass realy sucks right now. If you have any questions, please ask.

Anyway...

Toastfuzz · #2 02-04-2009, 10:41 AM

You could take it to a shop for a pro setup, like $25. At least they'd be able to tell you if theres something wrong, or what is wrong. Its probably just setup issues though, do you adjust the string height on the bridge and the truss rod? Takes some finangling to get it just right.

scottbass · #3 02-04-2009, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

You could take it to a shop for a pro setup, like $25.

Or do it yourself if you know what you're doing. Measure and adjust neck relief (truss rod) first, then set string height (bridge saddle height), then set intonation (bridge saddle location), then repeat all the steps. When you're done with that, set the pickup height. There are sticky notes at this forum that will help you. IIRC, you can get the specs for your particular bass at the Ibanez site.

I had one of those low-end Soundgears a while ago, and mine had a very stable neck that adjusted very nicely. If you do everything right and you can't get the action as low as you like, either you need fret leveling, fretboard planing, nut slot filing or filling, or some similar neck surgery, or you are just plain expecting too much. Actions can only be adjusted so low before they buzz all over.

Lorenzo89 · #4 02-04-2009, 10:59 AM

Actualy I didn't adjust it on the bridge because I don't have the tools at the moment. But I guess it would be wise to take it to shop if I don't wanna make it even worse, or make it unrepairable.

Lorenzo89 · #5 02-04-2009, 11:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottbass

Or do it yourself if you know what you're doing. Measure and adjust neck relief (truss rod) first, then set string height (bridge saddle height), then set intonation (bridge saddle location), then repeat all the steps. When you're done with that, set the pickup height. There are sticky notes at this forum that will help you. IIRC, you can get the specs for your particular bass at the Ibanez site.

I had one of those low-end Soundgears a while ago, and mine had a very stable neck that adjusted very nicely. If you do everything right and you can't get the action as low as you like, either you need fret leveling, fretboard planing, nut slot filing or filling, or some similar neck surgery, or you are just plain expecting too much. Actions can only be adjusted so low before they buzz all over.

Thanks. Ill try to do that. I would really like to do it myself rather than giving it to someone else. But if I will not be capable to do it, I'll have to go to shop whit it. I know I am not expecting too much, because as I said, my friend have that GSR200 and is really good (compared to mine)

Toastfuzz · #6 02-04-2009, 11:10 AM

I didnt mean to immediately forward you to a shop, I had thought you attempted to set it up yourself and we unable to. If you try to set it up and can't get it right, then a shop might be able to identify other problems, like uneven frets or a damaged neck.

Allen wrenches are cheap for the bridge adjustment. When I setup my bass, I do truss rod first with all strings all low on the bridge as they can go, adjust the truss to where the bottom 3 or 4 frets buzz, then raise the strings at the bridge until each individually sounds good. Then do intonation and whatnot, if its needed.

Lorenzo89 · #7 02-04-2009, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

I didnt mean to immediately forward you to a shop, I had thought you attempted to set it up yourself and we unable to. If you try to set it up and can't get it right, then a shop might be able to identify other problems, like uneven frets or a damaged neck.

Allen wrenches are cheap for the bridge adjustment. When I setup my bass, I do truss rod first with all strings all low on the bridge as they can go, adjust the truss to where the bottom 3 or 4 frets buzz, then raise the strings at the bridge until each individually sounds good. Then do intonation and whatnot, if its needed.

No problem. Thanks for helping.

scottbass · #8 02-04-2009, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toastfuzz

Allen wrenches are cheap for the bridge adjustment. When I setup my bass, I do truss rod first with all strings all low on the bridge as they can go, adjust the truss to where the bottom 3 or 4 frets buzz, then raise the strings at the bridge until each individually sounds good. Then do intonation and whatnot, if its needed.

Gotta respectfully disagree. Feeler gauges are also very cheap. If you want the neck relief adjusted correctly, you really should clamp the strings at the first and last fret and measure it - especialy if you're new to the whole setup thing and don't know your bass's neck like the back of your hand. And come to think of it, how well do you REALLY know the back of your hand, anyway?

62bass · #9 02-04-2009, 11:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenzo89

No problem. Thanks for helping.

Take it to a shop for the first time, while you gather up the tools you need and read up on how to do it. If the tech is good, he'll have it playing amazingly well. The GSR when set up properly is a nice playing bass. Then you'll eventually be able to maintain it at that level.

Zebrdee · #10 04-13-2009, 02:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lorenzo89

When I first bought this bass, it was ok,I lowered the strings a bit and it was ready to play.
Here is the situation of the bass now: It is totaly unplayable. I tried everything, from adjusting the truss rod, to adjusting string height and everything else. I like low action, and when I lower the strings on it, the buzz is everywhere, I cant play it like that. If I put strings high enough to get rid of the buzz, they are too high and I can't slap it (90% of my playing is slap). Maybe I need to level the frets or something? My friend has the same bass, and when I took it into my hands, than i realized how my bass realy sucks right now. If you have any questions, please ask.

Anyway...

Check the black nut, I just had one that wasn't fitted or made right. Buzzed like crazy. See if there's an air gap there or feels like a sharp edge to it on the sides. The shop exchanged mine for another one. This one sounds much better. Ibanez QA needs to be far better, two of the controls just fell off because there was no glue on them to stop them coming off, and there's a flaw in the wood just painted over.