Help setting up new Ray

jonathon41uk2 · #1 01-09-2010, 01:36 PM

Hi
I picked up a new ray. Lovely one in red with matching headstock. Had already played it a few times when in the sho and bought it today. Got it home and played a bit and realised the action is awful I think it has been in the shop a few years. If I look down as if playing there is a slight bow in the neck and the strings feel a bit tighter than they should. I thought a quick tweak of the truss rod might sort it out so I turned it clockwise a tiny bit (that's clockwise looking from the body of the bass down the neck). I didn't want to do anything else with it as the truss rod was a tight as it would go. Should it be like this or has someone done a bad setup on it. The action seemed a little high too. I lowered the saddles a little to lower it. Help needed and appreciated. i am a bit worried that the truss rod was as tight as it will go.
Jonathon

**251** · #2 01-09-2010, 02:04 PM

Consider re-stringing with the next lighter gauge strings. The set up should let you back off the truss rod tension to lower the action. Remember to adjust the intonation for the new string gauge.

trunkshope6 · #3 01-09-2010, 02:11 PM

on a side note,when raising ur string guage to .45 to .55 do u have to tighten the truss rod

jonathon41uk2 · #4 01-09-2010, 02:23 PM

Hi

It came with the stock ernie Ball strings I normally use so have replaced them as they were dead. Are you saying I need to loosen the truss rod in order to bring the action down? I'm sure i always get the directions wrong?
Jonathon

trunkshope6 · #5 01-09-2010, 04:09 PM

no dont mess with the truss rod,hes just saying the lower guage string will put less stresss on the neck and will give u less buzzing,

**251** · #6 01-09-2010, 05:15 PM

I live in New England (US) & as the seasons change I have to make small adjustments every 3 or 4 months. I adjust intonation, too, whenever I change string brand, gauge or manufacturer.

The description of the core wire, like Medium, Medium Light, Light, is probably more important than wire diameter. The strength, stretchy-ness and tension at pitch come from the core. The windings do more to change the diameter of the string, it's sound and feel. So you can find a Medium Light in .045" & .050". I don't remember seeing a .055" Medium Light but, I've never looked for it. You might also find a .055" string is too fat for a nut set up for .040" or .045" strings. I've had good luck putting an .050" or an 0.040" string in a nut made for a .045". That said, the bass was a 1990's Ibanez & had a very forgiving plastic nut. 8-)

**251** · #7 01-09-2010, 05:20 PM

No, you already know, loosening the truss rod with the same gauge strings won't help. If you can't straighten the neck by applying more tension on the truss rod & you really want a straighter neck, one way to get there is by using the next lighter gauge string. That should let you ease off the truss rod, get a straighter neck & keep using the same strings.

Hugh Jass · #8 01-09-2010, 07:27 PM

http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/

Read this.

Loosen the strings before you turn the trussrod or it will not turn easily. It should not be maxed out. Clockwise for flatter neck. Counterclockwise for more bow. If it still wont turn take it back. Good action is a combination of neck relief and bridge saddle height. Both have to be in balance.

twangin6 · #9 01-10-2010, 08:05 PM

It is pretty key to take some measurements prior to tweaking the neck. How much relief is there now? What is the string height at the 17th on the G and the E?