G string action on Marcus Miller jazz bass

Gadders · #1 02-28-2007, 03:07 PM

Hi folks,

Just bought a rather nice Marcus Miller Fender Jazz off fleabay...

thing is, i don't know if its supposed to be set up this way but the G seems very low for popping - i can just about get my finger between the string and the scratch plate, but its pretty tight.

Just wondering if this is the norm

?

Cheers,
Phil.

Gadders · #2 03-01-2007, 03:57 AM

I did, although the fender link didn't work for me. (edit... just tried IE rather than firefox, and its certaintly an informative read...)

Thing is i don't want to adjust it before i know if its normal or not, because ive read that the marcus miller bass was designed with a low g string action in mind (but whether its supposed to be this low im not so sure) which is why i asked...

pkr2 · #3 03-01-2007, 06:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gadders

I did, although the fender link didn't work for me. (edit... just tried IE rather than firefox, and its certaintly an informative read...)

Thing is i don't want to adjust it before i know if its normal or not, because ive read that the marcus miller bass was designed with a low g string action in mind (but whether its supposed to be this low im not so sure) which is why i asked...

I stand to be corrected if I'm wrong, but I don't really believe that any production Fender is designed so that the G string is capable of a lower action than any other string.

You are safe to assume that if you can see an abnormal clearance on any string, that there's probably something wrong.

If it plays the way that you like, leave it alone, but keep a close watch for changes that suggest the neck, or any bridge adjustments are unstable.

The saddle heigth adjustment screws are notorious for slowly screwing themselves in over a period of time with a corresponding lowering of the action on just the affected string. Possibly, the previous owner sold it on the bay for just that reason, because he wasn't aware that it's so easy to correct that a cave man could do it.

Nice instrument!

Gadders · #4 03-01-2007, 04:19 PM

http://www.marcusmiller.com/special_mm5.html

I know this is the 5 string but here's a quote...

"Because of the extreme bridge section adjustment we needed a slight angle in the neck pocket to have the option of a low G-string action."

Perhaps i could crank the saddle up a touch

Cheers,
Phil.

3NotesAbar · #5 03-01-2007, 06:27 PM

I have a few jazzes. And the Marcus does have a G string which is closer to the pickguard, relative to the popping finger.

funkalicious101 · #6 03-01-2007, 07:06 PM

g string action?

nice

tplyons · #7 03-01-2007, 07:42 PM

Yep, the Marcus' G-string is a bit more extreme as far as low action goes, but it's comfortable once you're used to it.

rockwarnick · #8 03-02-2007, 06:14 AM

my MM4 also has really low g-string action. i kind of have to squeeze my finger in between the string and body but i love it. now i cant stand to play a bass that has similar action.

Gadders · #9 03-02-2007, 03:47 PM

Distance between the top of the body (scratchplate) and the string ... ie where you would typically pop.