Geddy lee jazz frustrations

Travisx2112 · #1 08-08-2011, 04:31 PM

Hi all,

I'm very frustrated with my Ged as of late, because the nut broke by the E string a while ago. It has since been replaced twice, once with a drop in replacement (which also broke, oddly enough) and then a second time by a filled in one. The place i've taken it to in edmonton hasn't fixed the issues i've been having since the second replacement was put in (ie strings buzzing when they're played open, and buzzing frets as well) and i've taken it there three times now, to no avail.

I figured I may be able to fix the buzzing by lowering the action on the E and ended up losing one of the screws in the saddle for the bridge (oops!) and it buzzes a lot more than it did before, obviously, now. Should this really take so much effort to fix? Does anyone know of any really good luthiers in Edmonton Alberta, aside from Avenue Guitars on Whyte Ave?

john grey · #2 08-08-2011, 04:41 PM

"Drop-in" replacements will do that. A nut is generally (IMO) a custom situation as you choice of strings and the cut shape, material, neck design, etc affect a great deal of the stress that it will be under.
Take it to someone who is comfortable with fitting a nut, has done some often, and let him or her shape one for you. You'll save a great deal of frustration in the long term.

StingrayDerek · #3 08-08-2011, 04:41 PM

There's always the two L&M's, the south Edmonton one is about 10-15 minutes away from Sherwood Park, I haven't any experience with the luthiers there though.

Travisx2112 · #4 08-08-2011, 04:47 PM

I've asked L&M, and tey said it may take 2 to 3 weeks, and i need it quicker than that, prefrably. I know the issue has been the nut, but Avenue Guitars just seem to shrug it off. I'm thinking of trying Fusion Music in Sherwood Park, though.

grendle · #5 08-08-2011, 09:44 PM

Sounds like the slot is either too small for the gauge strings your using or you have too many wraps on the e string tuning peg (3 is usually right) . You should be able to replace a nut by yourself. Buy 2 or 3 drop in replacements, look up some videos and have at it. Sand only the nut nothing on the bass! You'll usually screw the first one or 2 up, but go slow and you'll get it. Its a piece of cake once you figure it out.

StingrayDerek · #6 08-08-2011, 10:40 PM

You could also try Sherwood Park School of Music or Triumph, haven't had experience with them though.

Travisx2112 · #7 08-12-2011, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grendle

Sounds like the slot is either too small for the gauge strings your using or you have too many wraps on the e string tuning peg (3 is usually right) . You should be able to replace a nut by yourself. Buy 2 or 3 drop in replacements, look up some videos and have at it. Sand only the nut nothing on the bass! You'll usually screw the first one or 2 up, but go slow and you'll get it. Its a piece of cake once you figure it out.

Where would I buy drop-in replacements though? I don't think Fender just gives them away. Also, is replacing the missing screw for the bridge saddle a big deal?

lowendgenerator · #8 08-12-2011, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travisx2112

Where would I buy drop-in replacements though? I don't think Fender just gives them away. Also, is replacing the missing screw for the bridge saddle a big deal?

If it's a Badass bridge saddle, then it might be a big deal. I had a HELL of a time finding a replacement saddle, back when Leo Quan was still making them.

Travisx2112 · #9 08-12-2011, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

If it's a Badass bridge saddle, then it might be a big deal. I had a HELL of a time finding a replacement saddle, back when Leo Quan was still making them.

It's a BAII. I'm not missing the saddle, just the screw that goes in one side of it.

dmot002 · #10 08-12-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travisx2112

Where would I buy drop-in replacements though? I don't think Fender just gives them away. Also, is replacing the missing screw for the bridge saddle a big deal?

Ordered many items from here . Never had a issue.

Bass Parts Resource :: Millersport, Ohio

lowendgenerator · #11 08-12-2011, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travisx2112

It's a BAII. I'm not missing the saddle, just the screw that goes in one side of it.

Yes, I understand that. I was sharing my frustration with finding replacement parts for that bridge.

Travisx2112 · #12 08-12-2011, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lowendgenerator

Yes, I understand that. I was sharing my frustration with finding replacement parts for that bridge.

Oh

Travisx2112 · #13 08-12-2011, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmot002

Ordered many items from here . Never had a issue.

Bass Parts Resource :: Millersport, Ohio

I tried putting the screw from my P-Bass Fender Squier which I never use in the Geddy, but it was too big, so I don't think those screws will work, unfortunately :/

Would any of these work?

http://www.allparts.com/Bridge-Saddl...rews-s/137.htm

**Syco_bass** · #14 08-14-2011, 12:52 AM

If your strings are buzzing when in the open possition it could mean one of two things or possibly both.

1. The string slots in the nut were cut too low
2. You neck has too much back bow in it.
3. Both of these situations could be occuring at the same time.

I would purchase a drop in replacement from Allparts, Basspartsresources or Stewmac.com. Stewmac has some good vids but you can also check out Youtube. You can make minor adjustments to the string slots using your old strings. Just use them to widen to the gauge don't go deaper. This is not the best way, but you will get the hang of it if you are careful and go slow. Stewmacs feeler gauges help to make sure you don't go too deep.

As far as the saddle screw goes, take one of them to a hardware store and have them match it up.

Good luck

Travisx2112 · #15 08-25-2011, 09:11 PM

Well I took the bass into another shop and it's 99% perfect. the one exception is that the E string buzzes when it's played open. It buzzes at the very top of the neck, and - from what I can see - it's not because it's buzzing on one of the frets, but it seems like it's at the nut. I can really only hear it acoustically when I hold the top of the neck up to my ear while I'm letting the string ring out. I can also faintly hear it through my rig as well.

It doesn't buzz when frets are played though, and the other strings buzz too, but they're so minute that it's not a big deal at all. Any ideas?

Also, the string is wound properly around the tuning peg, so I don't think it's that.

Thanks for all your help, guys! I really appreciate it!!

Marton · #16 08-25-2011, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Travisx2112

Well I took the bass into another shop and it's 99% perfect. the one exception is that the E string buzzes when it's played open. It buzzes at the very top of the neck, and - from what I can see - it's not because it's buzzing on one of the frets, but it seems like it's at the nut. I can really only hear it acoustically when I hold the top of the neck up to my ear while I'm letting the string ring out. I can also faintly hear it through my rig as well.

It doesn't buzz when frets are played though, and the other strings buzz too, but they're so minute that it's not a big deal at all. Any ideas?

Also, the string is wound properly around the tuning peg, so I don't think it's that.

Thanks for all your help, guys! I really appreciate it!!

Really sounds like a problem with the break angle at the nut on the E string. Are you sure the E string is properly installed ? A picture could help.

grendle · #17 08-25-2011, 11:12 PM

The string could be twisted as well. I would Definatly stop playing like that also lol. Personally I like a little buzz. And new strings will always buzz. Just play the Damn thing and stop looking for flaws already. The more you look the pickier you'll get and the more unhappy you'll be. If you can't hear it distinctly through the amp it dosent count. Recording maybe different , but it is different and is generally treated as such. String mutes, "f@g rags", sponge pieces, cardboard boxes what ever works you do when recording. Relax , I doubt you or anyone else will hear anything in the mix live. Enjoy your girl!

fourstringburn · #18 08-25-2011, 11:31 PM

If you have a bass tech (luthier) by you, I suggest having one carved from bone. I had one hand carved in bone by the late and world renowned guitar builder, Lorenzo Pimentel and installed on my bass over 25 years ago and hasn't given me a problem yet. I believe these are much stronger and durable than plastic. There are also brass ones which many people swear by also.

Travisx2112 · #19 08-26-2011, 12:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marton

Really sounds like a problem with the break angle at the nut on the E string. Are you sure the E string is properly installed ? A picture could help.

I'll take a pic tomorrow! And I'll look into that bone nut as well

Travisx2112 · #20 08-26-2011, 09:40 PM

WOAH! I don't know what I did, but it's stopped buzzing when I'm tuned EADG! It buzzes again though if I tune to drop D! Weird!

Any clues as to why? Upon further inspection, I think it has someting to do with the bridge. I moved the string out of the bridge sattle (which has been recut for some stupid reason), and back into it, and it started buzzing again. I then just kind of pushed on the string in it and it immediately stopped! It's also still in that saddle, but I don't know what has changed to make it stop buzzing.

Edit 3: Maybe it was never properly placed in there to begin with. However, it still buzzes when in drop D. I'm getting closer though!

Edit 4: Nope. Still buzzes. It's the bridge. Great. My BAII has been screwed with...