Help with my bass...

[5am3]

I've got an Encore P-Bass copy and I'm having some trouble with it.

- When I play an open A I get a buzzing sound from the string/neck (I'm not sure where it's coming from to be honest). What is it and how do I fix it?

- The pickups aren't picking up the high trebley notes as well as the low beefier notes. How can I address that?

- The bass is completely top heavy, if I let go off the neck with the fretting hand the headstock just drops and it's restricting my hand movements because I have to keep the neck propped up. How can I get around that?

I don't have enough cash to buy a new one so modding seems like a cheaper alternative.

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[John Wentzien]

Make sure the windings on the tuning post are as close to the peg-head as possible.
This will give the string a better 'break" angle over the nut.

[Slax]

- When I play an open A I get a buzzing sound from the string/neck (I'm not sure where it's coming from to be honest). What is it and how do I fix it?

I'd check that the A string is strung all the way down to the headstock to increase tension on the nut.

- The pickups aren't picking up the high trebley notes as well as the low beefier notes. How can I address that?

I'd try adjusting the pickup height and see if that has any effect on the tone.

- The bass is completely top heavy, if I let go off the neck with the fretting hand the headstock just drops and it's restricting my hand movements because I have to keep the neck propped up. How can I get around that?

You could try some ultra-light tuners to take some weight off the neck. Maybe even a high mass bridge to put more weight in the body but don't quote me on it.

[tom once dead]

For the buzz, if its only on open, you could try putting a little bit of paper between the string and the nut. Or you could try loosening the truss rod.

What do you mean by high trebely notes? If you mean the d and g strings, get a screwdriver and unscrew the side of the pickup that is for those strings not too much but enough so all the strings are even.

To fix the neck dive, you could try getting a thicker and more grippy strap. That way the strap wont be able to slip as much. Short of that, you will just have to live the the neck dive.