low action on a Jazz Bass

[tightbidness]

I've recently started doing setups on my instruments. Fender's recommended action is high for my taste but their guidelines have been very helpful. My Jazz Bass has fairly low action at the nut with just a hint of relief, but I'm unable to get it super low at the top of the neck without buzzing. The neck is straight with no apparent hump at the neck joint, and the buzzing occcurs in the middle of the neck, especially on the E and A strings.

So I brought the bass to a well-known tech here in Boston. He said the frets and truss rod are fine. He tweaked the nut a bit but said he can't get the action any lower either. . . According to him the buzzing is a common Jazz Bass phenomenon. He suggested trying different string brands and gauges but couldn't give me a good explanation for the reasons why. Does this jive with other people's experiences? I've never had a tech tell me something like this without giving a comprehensible explanation why.

[jetstream]

My Fender Jazz had the buzz problem also. It was more pronounced with certain strings like Roto's Rounds and DiAddarios Flats were horrible. I eventually had to redo the neck relief. I took a lot of relief out of neck, almost straight, then I dropped the strings as low as they'd go. I then put enough relief to get me .015 at the 8th. Raised the strings to where I like 'em, and the buzz was gone.

[tZer]

My former teacher is now a TB'er and he set up my MIA Jazz V.

He popped the neck off and shimmed it. He has a particular love for playing with basses and their setup and he set up both my Fender and my MMSR5.

So I know from my experience that you can get very low, feather-light action on a Fender Jazz V.

Keep you eye's pealed for a TB'er named David Karns and see if you can coax some insight out of him.

One thing I will say about having such low action - you really do need to stay on top of your touch - and as the weather changes, adjustments are necessary. But that is the case with most setups in areas where the weather changes - it is just that much more noticible when you have really low action.

[tightbidness]

Thanks for the responses. tZer, a shim has crossed my mind. I don't have much experience with that kind of work. It's surprising the tech didn't mention that as a possible solution. . . I know what you mean about staying on top of your touch. I play with a light touch and find that playing back toward the bridge allows you to dig in a bit more.

[FunkyFrosty]

Reduce your relief and try DR lowriders, I can get a great action on my Jazz bass with these strings.

[David_Karns]

my usual fix for jazz basses that have high action is to take the neck off and place 1/4 of a business card in between the 2 screw holes closest to the body. put the neck back on and raise the string height. this will give you a straighter line to work w/ between the bridge and the nut. Once my setup is correct, just slight truss rod adjustments in different climates and weather conditions keep my basses in top shape.

One extreme pbass that came in needed a dime instead of a business card to set up right.

I charged him $.09 more. ha!

good luck.

[OsvBass]

i have the same "problem" with my fender deluxe precision bass
i've done all what is possible for lowering the action but the buzzing problem is always there.
i think that it's a characteristic of fender basses

[EndlessNameless]

Originally Posted by David_Karns

my usual fix for jazz basses that have high action is to take the neck off and place 1/4 of a business card in between the 2 screw holes closest to the body. put the neck back on and raise the string height. this will give you a straighter line to work w/ between the bridge and the nut. Once my setup is correct, just slight truss rod adjustments in different climates and weather conditions keep my basses in top shape.

I did this last night and it solved a problem that's been bugging me for months. My action feels great now, and no more fret buzz!!

[Ian_Flash]

It's NOT TRUE that Fenders all have buzz. Your problem can be solved a few ways:
1. Neck angle... yes, shimming the neck with a business card at the last 2 screws MAY solve the problem but if it doesn't:
2. Shim it at the FIRST 2 screws (closest to the nut) and then TIGHTEN the last 2 screws. This will slope the neck down at the heel and provide relief in the upper register.
3. What string gauges are you using? String gauge and the resulting tension of each string may also solve your problem by "Loading" the bass side of the neck thus providing additional relief.
4. Worst case scenario: The frets at the upper register on the A & E strings can be leveled/lowered to provide a little extra relief in that register.

This is all general info, but there are other solutions as well. It's tough to say without seeing your instrument, but feel free to ask me if there's a way I can help.

Rob Ian - SINYAXE Guitar Repair 862-324-5414

[JLS]

Will invariably take you down the level/recrown path...