Low-end Ibanez setup help

[Liist]

I am a beginner bass guitarists and I still haven't learned a lot of the essentials.

The used Ibanez GSR-200 that I bought had way too much fret buzz so I raised the action on some of the strings to reduce the fret buzz drastically. I think that the action, especially on the E string is way too high, but I don't know what's too high and what's too low.

Intonation is horrible, but I know how to adjust that. What are some tips on determining what the best action height for my bass is? How can I lower it without having horrible fret buzz?

Do older strings get floppier? If I have to change my strings, what do you recommend?

[pin_head_47]

There's a pretty decent guide found here; that'll get you started. The Gary Willis page is also recommended alot around these parts, but it wasn't working for me so I won't list it right now. The buzzing is probably caused by poor neck relief, which will make things buzz regardless of your action.

I have an Ibanez just like yours and the bridge isn't too bad to work with, from what I remember. How old are the strings? If they are the original ones, they're crap anyways, so just get them replaced before you do anything, assuming that you can afford some new ones. Regular ol' D'addarios or Ernie Balls are fairly cheap, and sound fine on about any bass.

One last thing, when making any adjustments to your bass, TAKE YOUR TIME. It's not rocket science, but you don't want to misread something and screw up your bass. That's never fun. Just make you understand the tutorials and ask questions here if needed. Good luck.

[tekisasubakani]

I've got almost the exact same model Ibanez (GSR200FM), and I've been having the same fret buzz. I'm also a rank beginner, been playing something like 4 months. The buzzing seems to only be a problem with the bottom (?) two strings, E (in drop D right now) and A. D and G are usually fine. So, pin_head_47, in my case would the same answer (poor neck relief) apply?

[pin_head_47]

It's possible, but are those strings at the same height as the others? Usually, when a bass is setup, the heavier strings have a bit more string height to compensate for their lower tension (sometimes as much as 10 pounds less than the G or D string). What frets are they buzzing at, specifically? Did you read the tutorial yet? The Gary Willis site I mentioned before is here; it mentions a fretless, but the concept is still the same. It will give you a better idea of how these things affect your bass.

Usually string height is set with this procedure; the highest and lowest strings are set, and then a radius gauge is used to set the other strings to match the "curve" of the fingerboard, using the outer strings as a guide. Again, read the first page that I mentioned... it's all there.

If you still think it's neck relief, check it this way: press down the very first and last frets, and look at the gap at the middle (usually the 10th or 12th) fret. There should be a little space in there between the fret and the string, even though the other frets are pressed. How much gap you need is up for debate; I'm sure some others will chime in and give their opinions.