Bridge and pickup adjustment help.

Rocinante_x1 · #1 05-26-2006, 02:10 PM

Okay. Ive got a 2005 fender jazz bass with a BAII bridge. i adjusted my bridge, but my intonation is way off. i tune it, and it still doesnt stay in tune very long.... can anyone help?
also, im wondering about pickup adjustment and what it changes exactly.. and when and why should i adjust it.
also, what should i adjust it to if i want the most out of my bass..

thanks

MMcC · #2 05-26-2006, 08:49 PM

When you say you adjusted the bridge, does that mean you adjusted the intonation? BAIIs are pretty solid. Once you have the intonation set I wouldn't expect too many problems with it as long as you're consistent with the strings you use. Albeit intonation still needs adjusting for older strings. As far as falling out of tune, are the strings you have on brand new? That's strange.

Rocinante_x1 · #3 06-06-2006, 01:19 PM

yeha, well they dont really fall out of tune, they just get out-tuned the higher up on the neck that you go... i dont really understand.

nicoli · #4 06-06-2006, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rocinante_x1

yeha, well they dont really fall out of tune, they just get out-tuned the higher up on the neck that you go... i dont really understand.

Sounds like you might want to try adjusting the intonation (again?), since that's what's off.

Rocinante_x1 · #5 06-06-2006, 02:23 PM

kay. ill do that when i get home from school today. thanks.

lpdeluxe · #6 06-06-2006, 04:09 PM

When you say you adjusted your bridge, what did you do? It sounds to me as though the intonation has gone cattywhampus.

Here's how to set intonation (I know, because I just spent the last half hour doing it with a Fender '51 P RI with a replacement bridge):

Start with the G string. Using an electronic tuner (and the better the tuner, the better the results), tune the G string exactly to G. Then, pluck the octave note at the XII fret. If the tuner shows that the G is flat, turn the screw for that saddle piece counterclockwise, so that the saddle moves toward the peghead. If the G at the XII fret is sharp, turn the screw clockwise so that the saddle gets farther away from the peghead. Check your work and repeat, check your work and repeat. This is how the intonation gets set. Note that many saddles require that you give them a push when you are shortening the string length: I push on the adjustment screw head with the screwdriver.

Go on to the D string and follow the same procedure, and then the A and the E strings.

When you are all done, go back and check the tuning again, starting with the G (the change in neck tension can make the strings go sharp or flat).

Be patient, and be meticulous. Many many many adjustment jobs referred to music store techs come from impatience or sloppy work ("I did it just like they said to do it, and it won't do right!")

Good luck.