How would you adjust this bass?

thudfromafar · #1 02-11-2008, 07:21 PM

I'm pretty new to bass, and I want to learn how to set up my own stuff. I've read some of the stickies and they've helped but I need some other input.

Ok so I have this new [takes breath] Squier Vintage Modified Jazz Fretless. I ordered from MF and am pleasantly surprised with the sound and feel, but the factory setup wasn't too great. I was getting a lot of buzz. I went through this http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass...tupmanual.html and loosened the truss rod. The notes were buzzing still, but more evenly, so I raised the strings. There is mostly no more buzz, but a lot of the "mwahh" is gone. Is there any way to keep the mwahh and fix the buzz? Did I do something wrong? I didn't raise the strings or loosen the rod much, and there is still a little buzz here and there, so I don't know if the action is too high or not...

Also, I have noticed that the E and D strings are much louder through my amp. When I pluck either one open, they give a lot of boom. The A and G strings are not as loud, it's like the volume is lower on these strings. Does this mean I need to adjust the pickup height for these strings?

I set the intonation fine.

Thanks for your help, I really would like to learn how to setup my bass, or any bass at all from any given point. There are lots of variables at play here and I want to know how all this stuff works together!

And finally, the bass is great, especially for the money. Any string recommendations?

202dy · #2 02-11-2008, 07:34 PM

You are to be applauded for your desire to learn how the mechanics of the instrument work. Forget the Gary Willis method. While it gives some good ideas about how things work it is aimed at folks who are afraid of taking measurements or don't really want to know or do it like a luthier does it. If you refer to the sticky at the top of the page you'll see the link for Mr. Gearhead, the Fender site. It's not perfect but it is a pretty good guide. Take some measurements and post them here. Someone will walk you through it.

meev992 · #3 02-11-2008, 07:50 PM

Try some Fender Tapewounds

Setting up basses comes with experience, so take it one step at a time and keep practicing.

Also, if you ever work on a six bolt neck, you can get the neck practically flat (no relief) and still have no buzz. I just recently learned that from my local luthier.

thudfromafar · #4 02-11-2008, 08:09 PM

ahhh - This fender site is scary. Honestly, I am horrible at following instructions, don't know if I could jump into that at this time

I want to learn so that I can adjust my own sound and feel, and I would like to work at some music store... How much of this (on the fender site) does a guy at guitar center know?

I guess it might take a long time to master the really technical stuff, I'd probably have to have someone show me in person...

For now, though, do I have to measure all of this stuff in order to generally adjust my bass how I want? Or could I just know stuff like, "lower/raise ___ when it looks/feels/sounds like ____" ...that sort of thing.

thudfromafar · #5 02-12-2008, 01:13 PM

ok, I'm pretty sure I have the relief setup well now.

mjolnir · #6 02-12-2008, 01:21 PM

I'm impressed you're willing to take it this far this soon. Took me ten years to grow the cojones to set up my own bass...

After adjusting the neck relief, how's it sounding?

thudfromafar · #7 02-12-2008, 01:28 PM

It sounds like crap while I'm trying to play along with percy jones

but when I turn off the music, it sounds pretty good

Getting somewhere..

mjolnir · #8 02-12-2008, 01:29 PM

Define "crap". Texture. Consistency. That kind of thing.

thudfromafar · #9 02-12-2008, 01:32 PM

oh, I just meant that I'm nowhere near as good a bass player as percy, haha. It does sound good though, but I'm still trying to get rid of a weird buzzing here and there...

mjolnir · #10 02-12-2008, 01:36 PM

I was partially making a joke, you know, "crap" and crap, texture and consistency...

...Yeah, fell flat...

Ahem.

Moving on then!

As for the weird buzzing here and there it may be the fretboard is slightly uneven in places. If you're absolutely unwilling to live with it you can take some sandpaper to it, though I really wouldn't recommend that if you don't have any experience with that kind of thing.

thudfromafar · #11 02-12-2008, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mjolnir

I was partially making a joke, you know, "crap" and crap, texture and consistency...

...Yeah, fell flat...

Ahem.

Moving on then!

As for the weird buzzing here and there it may be the fretboard is slightly uneven in places. If you're absolutely unwilling to live with it you can take some sandpaper to it, though I really wouldn't recommend that if you don't have any experience with that kind of thing.

awww, whoops.

Well that sucks, alright then.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

Alrighty then. First followup; the relief is not set unless it's been a couple hours since the last adjustment. Wood can continue to move somewhat, and we just want to make sure it's settled in all the way (possible).

Assuming the relief is now set, does it need more action help?

If so, I'd look at the bridge saddles. In the Fender guide there are some recommended starting points for string height (see section "action"). With a fretless, you can probably go a little lower too, but that's a personal choice.

Check it out, and keep us posted...

ok I'll keep tinkering and stuff, I think I can get the action better too...

thudfromafar · #12 02-12-2008, 01:43 PM

just making a mess of my posts.

mjolnir · #13 02-12-2008, 01:56 PM

How so?

thudfromafar · #14 02-12-2008, 02:00 PM

Well I fixed it by adding the quotes, it was confusing.

I'm just going to play around with my bass all day. Don't worry I won't break my truss rod

**DeanT** · #15 02-12-2008, 02:09 PM

How do you manage to get buzz on a fretless!? Seriously, adjusting the truss rod and bridge saddles should take care of the problem, unless the neck is warped.

Don't be afraid to adjust things, just be gentle when you do. With the truss rod, turn ever so slightly and let the neck settle for a while before trying to tune it.

thudfromafar · #16 02-12-2008, 02:15 PM

I'm not so sure. What I have figured out though, is that the E string must have had a different action from the factory... I fixed that up and the strings are even with each other now. More action adjusting has helped, and I'm going to give the truss rod another small turn in a bit here. Now I'm going to practice on my Ibanez GSR200

stflbn · #17 02-12-2008, 02:21 PM

I might want to add...

I keep seeing you saying 'weird buzzing' when I play. Make sure you're not mistaking buzzing for the fretless Mwahhh that alot of players want.

thudfromafar · #18 02-13-2008, 10:36 AM

oh no, I enjoy mwah, it was actually a buzzing. Update though, I adjusted the action a lot and found the "sweetspot." It's sounding good. I think next time I will adjust the action before the truss rod, for some reason that worked a lot better for me. Unless that's a no-no? Hey it worked. I could still get a little more mwah on the lower 2 strings (and I will) but beside that, this bass is feeling good!

Thanks folks

Turnaround · #19 02-13-2008, 03:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joshua

I would always set relief first, but I'm kinda wacky that way.

Wacky? Maybe. Methodical - definitely. I'm not surprised that you stick with a proven method.

202dy · #20 02-13-2008, 03:58 PM

Wacky? Hardly. You adjust the geometry of the guitar and then adapt the strings to it. It makes sense to build the foundation before the roof. Seems like a time saver to me.