Buzzing E string after Grooved Badass installed, & assorted adjustment queries

spiker · #1 08-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Hiya slappers & thumpers,
I'm having some problems with my Mex Jazz after Badass II bridge installation, and need some questions answered:

* Which grooves would you recommend for each string ? Any advantage / disadvantage on using different grooves ?

* I'm getting a buzz on the 7th fret that is very hard to get rid of on the E string only, all other strings sound perfect. My bass has been to renowned luthiers for setup 3 times (which didn't help) and i'm wondering what adjustment you would recommend: trussrod ? Increase bridge height ? I'm not talking trademark fender jazz fret buzz either, this is the annoying type.

* What average height would you recommend for bridge saddles to be at for Badass II with grooved saddles on a Fender Mex Jazz ?

* Any standard measurements you would recommend for string to neck height at different frets? And yes i've looked at Stew Mac and Mr Gearhead sites, they don't help me, i can't get my bass to align with those measurements without a bit of high action near the 17th fret

Cheers
Justin

Craig_S · #2 08-06-2009, 07:35 PM

I would recommend a fret leveling, if renowned luthiers couldn't fix it with a setup.

spiker · #3 08-06-2009, 07:54 PM

What about the badass pre-grooved bridge ? Any measurements you would recommend for saddle height, and what groove i should use ?

ByF · #4 08-06-2009, 08:45 PM

You took it to three different renowned luthiers, and none of them noticed the buzz on the 7th fret? Did you point it out to them?

This is why I tell people to learn how to do their own set-ups and repairs. Nobody can make recommendations for string height that are going to help, sight unseen. If Fender's factory specs don't work for you, you need to carefully inspect the bass for yourself and figure out what the problem is. I tend to agree with Craig_S, a fret dressing may be in order, but I would suggest looking for loose frets before I let anybody start filing on the frets.

I wouldn't recommend any of your three previous luthiers for the job, though.

Ed

spiker · #5 08-06-2009, 09:12 PM

Sorry for not being more specific: It was the same luthier who set it up on 3 separate occasions. He hammered a few higher frets. It's just the e string that is playing up. The only time i get it at my preferred height is when i raise the bridge saddles to an unacceptable level.

Does a 7th fret buzz on the e string only indicate any typical problem, perhaps with the trussrod ?

maybe a neck shim would fix it, taking into account it has a badass bass ii with pre-grooved saddles ???

ByF · #6 08-07-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spiker

Sorry for not being more specific: It was the same luthier who set it up on 3 separate occasions. He hammered a few higher frets. It's just the e string that is playing up. The only time i get it at my preferred height is when i raise the bridge saddles to an unacceptable level.

Does a 7th fret buzz on the e string only indicate any typical problem, perhaps with the trussrod ?

maybe a neck shim would fix it, taking into account it has a badass bass ii with pre-grooved saddles ???

Not all fret problems can be fixed by hammering them down--if they are loose, you can hammer them down all day and they will just spring back up. Or, the 7th fret may be too low, so the string is buzzing on the frets around it.

You need to get a straightedge and a feeler gauge and figure out what is wrong. Get a magnifying glass and look for gaps under the frets. Press on each fret and see if they spring back. Fret problems can't be adjust out with the trussrod or bridge.

Ed