jazz bass setup q

[tony moore]

i've got my jazz bass setup near perfect, but i'm getting some fret buzz on the first 4-5 frets near nut when i dig in a bit. i'm very happy with the rest of the neck. will adjust my truss rod to give the neck a bit of relief address this?

thanks!

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

Yes, you may want more relief. I play with a fairly light touch and can get by with well under half a mm at the fifth fret but basses with up to a mm still feel good to me if the saddles are as low as possible.

[tony moore]

thanks! i don't do this enough to remember and always forget. turning which way gives relief?

thanks again,

tony

[purpletornado]

Adjustment at headstock (allen wrench): Sight down the edge of the fingerboard from behind the headstock, looking toward the body of the instrument. If the neck is too concave (action too high), turn the truss rod nut clockwise to remove excess relief. If the neck is too convex (strings too close to the fingerboard), turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise to allow the string tension to pull more relief into the neck. Check your tuning, then re-check the gap with the feeler gauge and re-adjust as needed.

http://www.fender.com/support/bass_g...etup_guide.php

[tony moore]

thanks! great link! my truss rod adjustment is at the heel (allen wrench). so:

Adjustment at neck joint (phillips screwdriver): Sight down the edge of the fingerboard from behind the body, looking up toward the headstock of the instrument. If the neck is too concave (action too high), turn the truss rod nut clockwise to remove excess relief. If the neck is too convex (strings too close to the fingerboard), turn the truss rod nut counter-clockwise to allow the string tension to pull more relief into the neck. Check your tuning, then re-check the gap with the feeler gauge and re-adjust as needed.

[purpletornado]

With that guide I've been able to do the setup on my basses. Feels good being able to do that yourself.