EBMM Stingray problem in different (humid) weather

hry_glb · #1 12-08-2010, 05:59 AM

Title might be misleading but this is the detail:

So I have this EBMM Stingray H 4, bought it in Seattle WA. I got it setup by the Bass Northwest, one of the best place in Seattle area to get your stuff done (and additional setup by this guy in Bellevue, WA, of which recommended by Bass Northwest when I changed my cable plug.)

I loved it, it played like wow, way better than those hung in GC. Both guys mention that EBMM is a well-built bass, it will hold for a long period of time.

Then I moved out from Seattle to Indonesia, a 180˚ different country, weather-wise, compared to pacific NW. It's really hot in the afternoon, really humid, and raining a lot (of which resulting in extreme weather change between noon and night) here.

Then I started to get few problems, such as wet neck, different sounds, etc BUT the playability and fret buzz are my main concern. Buzz started even on the 2nd fret all the way to 8th, and started again from 12th-13th to around 16th, really frustrating.

My Ray's spec: rosewood fretboard, maple neck, alder body. Prefer low action which resulting in buzz (but very very minimal.)

Question: Is there any general maintenance guide for humid weather? I don't think using a dehumidifier is a good solution here as I want to be able to play outside normally.

Can I solve this just by adjusting the thrust rod, or do I need to get it setup again for this specific weather?

Thank you in advance pros

Joe Nerve · #2 12-08-2010, 06:18 AM

Loosen the truss rod a quarter turn (towards you if the bass is in playing postition), wait an hour or so and see what happens. Do it again if it didn't help. It's common for the neck to change with the climate.

johnboy65 · #3 12-08-2010, 06:23 AM

You just get it set up again you should be good to go. It's a common thing to have to do when you are going through big changes in environment.
Also, it's called a truss rod. Your thrust rod is...well...something different...

Joe Nerve · #4 12-08-2010, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnboy65

. Your thrust rod is...well...something different...

Was going to comment on that, but glad I didn't.

Your response is better than mine.

hry_glb · #5 12-08-2010, 09:56 AM

LOL thank you so much guys, I will do that and see what's going on tomorrow.
My bad about the thrust rod, I must've been thinking too much about naughty stuff nowadays :P

mysteryclock · #6 12-08-2010, 01:59 PM

If you love the bass but continue to have problems with the neck you could always spring for a Status Graphite replacement neck, which IIRC EBMM used for their NAMM 100th anniversary model. That shouldn't budge!

Jack Gretz · #7 12-09-2010, 08:41 AM

Humidity is a guitars worse enemy! Thing is you have a good bass, The neck and fretboard are just getting use to being where it lives now. As the other folks staed work that truss rod, It will all come together for you. My guess is that the neck is backbowed which means you need to loosen the truss rod.

hry_glb · #8 12-09-2010, 07:24 PM

I did loosen the truss rod and it does help on the buzz, but now, as expected the action is too high for my liking. Before messing around with the bridge, is there any other suggestion for me?

** Now I've been keeping my bass inside the case with some desiccant. EBMM customer service says it's the best practice in humid weather.

and, thank you all for the suggestions