Can't get strings to measure 3/64" on Flea bass with Baddass II

FunkyMonkCP · #1 02-10-2007, 05:03 PM

Hey guys, I have a question. I have a Flea bass with a badass II and I lowered the saddles all the way down but I still cannot get the strings to measure 3/64" action. I can get them to only 4 or 5/64". Flea's basses he uses live measure 3/64" on the bass side and 2/64" on the treble side. I can only get the strings to 4/64" with the saddles all the way down. Also Flea's tech adds .005 relief to the bass so he isn't bowing the fret board towards the strings to close the gap. What should I do? Shouldn't the strings be pretty much laying on the fret board with the saddles all the way down? I'm just trying to check out what my Flea setup like Flea's basses feels like.

FunkyMonkCP · #2 02-10-2007, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GlennW

Sounds like you need to shim the neck a little and readjust the saddles. If it's comfortable for you as it is, you shouldn't get too hung up on what Flea or anyone else likes.

Heh, that is exactly what Flea's tech recommended. I would think I shouldn't need to do that.

Dave · #3 02-10-2007, 05:57 PM

The baseplate of BA bridges is really thick, which keeps you from being able to lower the saddles as low in relation to the neck as other, less massive bridges.

FunkyMonkCP · #4 02-10-2007, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dave

The baseplate of BA bridges is really thick, which keeps you from being able to lower the saddles as low in relation to the neck as other, less massive bridges.

Hmm, ok. I was talking with Flea's tech and he didn't mention having to do that for Flea's bass. I'm just worried that maybe my neck is messed up or something

Turnaround · #5 02-10-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FunkyMonkCP

Hmm, ok. I was talking with Flea's tech and he didn't mention having to do that for Flea's bass. I'm just worried that maybe my neck is messed up or something

Some basses come from the factory with a shim installed. Maybe Flea's did as well. Just because your bridge doesn't lowere as far as you want does not mean there's a problem with your neck. The bass probably just needs a shim.

But that's a seriously low setup. Are you sure you want something that low?

FunkyMonkCP · #6 02-10-2007, 06:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turnaround

But that's a seriously low setup. Are you sure you want something that low?

I just want to check out how a setup exactly like Flea's feels. I have them at 4/64" right now. It's probably close enough. I might shim it next time I put new strings on. I'm just paranoid about taking off the neck on my bass. If something on my Flea broke, I don't know what I do.

FunkyMonkCP · #7 02-10-2007, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Where are you measuring? Regardless, 2/64"? That's insanely low, and would require the absolute lightest touch possible. Flea does not seem to be that kind of a player.

That said, a shim can indeed work wonders (and it seems as if you are saying the Flea's tech agrees). Are you knowledgable about setups? To achieve low action all aspects of setup need to be perfect, and the lower you want it the more perfect it all needs to be.

I was measuring it at the twelfth fret. All I know is I asked Flea's tech the current heights for Flea's strings and he said 2/64" for the treble side and 3/64" for the bass side and .005 relief in the neck. He also said Flea's basses sound very rattly when not plugged in. I told Flea's tech about my problem and he also suggested a shim like you guys. I just wanted to make sure that it wasn't just a problem with my bass or something.

FunkyMonkCP · #8 02-11-2007, 11:36 AM

Ok, what is the best way to make a shim? Where do I put it in the neck pocket? Is making a shim any different for Modulus basses because of the graphite? I am so paranoid about taking the neck off but I just gotta do it.

Turnaround · #9 02-11-2007, 07:31 PM

If you are afraid of taking the neck off, then I recommend that you take the bass to a tech. Removing a neck and installing a shim is not a big deal, but on the other hand I have seen the results of many a klutz tring to do something this simple and managing to mess it up.

So if you feel unsure about doing it, see if your local tech will let you watch as he does it. Then maybe you will have some conficence in doing it next time (or not).

FunkyMonkCP · #10 02-11-2007, 07:51 PM

Hehe, I couldn't wait anymore so I did it myself. I used a piece of business card. Made a huge difference, I was surprised how a thin piece could make such a difference.

One problem though, I have pretty much a dead spot on all strings at the 19th fret now.

HMZ · #11 02-11-2007, 08:12 PM

I had the same problem with my Modulus Flea bass. I could get down to 3/32 but that was it. I use a setup of about 2/32.

FunkyMonkCP · #12 02-11-2007, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HMZ

I had the same problem with my Modulus Flea bass. I could get down to 3/32 but that was it. I use a setup of about 2/32.

Ok, whew, at least I know I wasn't the only one that had this "problem". Yeah, 3/32 is as low as I can get without the shim. Funny thing is I have to keep my strings at least 3/32 with the shim to prevent the dead 19th fret. So, confusing.

HMZ · #13 02-11-2007, 08:45 PM

I never did the shim thing on the Modulus I just played it with the action set to 3/32. They really should do something about that at Modulus like not cutting the neck pocket so low.

**rashrader** · #14 02-17-2007, 09:07 PM

I am not sure how Modulus sets up the BA bridge, but you may be able to get a tech to file the grooves in the saddles a little deeper. We are only talking about 1/64", there should be enough saddle left to do that.

dls59 · #15 02-17-2007, 09:13 PM

I'm going through the same thing. I installed a BA bridge, and it won't adjust low enough. I just (15 minutes ago) removed the neck and shimmed with 4 pieces of index card stock. I think it was too much. Before I take a couple out, though, I tweaked the truss rod, I'll let it sit overnight to settle in, and if I still get rattle, I'll raise the saddles a bit. If that doesn't work, I guess I'm taking some shim out.

HMZ · #16 02-18-2007, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rashrader

I am not sure how Modulus sets up the BA bridge, but you may be able to get a tech to file the grooves in the saddles a little deeper. We are only talking about 1/64", there should be enough saddle left to do that.

What I was going to do but never did was grind the bottom of the saddles so it would site lower.

**rashrader** · #17 02-18-2007, 06:28 AM

I don't think you can grind the bottom of the saddles on a BA bridge. Take a look. I am talking about taking some off the top of the saddle. I had a BA on a bass and when I got it, the saddle grooves were barely evident and just deep enough to keep the string from moving side to side. They can be cut deeper. I am only suggesting this because it may work better than a shim.

HMZ · #18 02-18-2007, 05:30 PM

I don't have the Modulus bass any more but I think it had the Hipshot B style bridge. I agree I would rather grind the bridge then shim the neck.