Neck issue or bridge saddle issue?

sonofdeacon117 · #1 09-16-2011, 01:04 PM

I recently noticed an issue with my Aerodyne Precision, I took it out of the case for the first time in a while (i bought a new bass about 6 weeks ago) and i noticed that there's an extreme amount of fret buzz on the 3rd, 4th, 5th fret of each string. I play with quite a light touch so i know it's not a technique issue. The 18th fret on the D and G string also have some buzz on them but i've had that for a while now. I did have my bass set up with a low action some time ago (about 12 months), and there has been a noticeable change in the weather recently (it's a lot colder now) but here's my question...

I'm not sure whether i need to adjust the truss rod or adjust the bridge saddles? The saddles are already quite high at the moment, i've never been good at identifying how the neck is but to me it looks pretty damn straight. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

lowendgenerator · #2 09-16-2011, 01:07 PM

Capo the first fret, then press down on the string at the 12th fret. Push down on the string around the 6/7 fret, and gauge the action. It should be about the thickness of a business card, or guitar pick.

If your saddles are jacked way up, and your action is still buzzing, either your neck needs relief (loosen truss rod) or it's sitting up in the pocket and needs to be shimmed.

sonofdeacon117 · #3 09-16-2011, 01:38 PM

Thanks! I've tried the capo method and there's barely any room for a credit card to slip under the 6th/7th fret, the strings are incredibly close to the neck. The saddles are very high and i'd rather not bother with the hassle of a shim, so i guess i'll have to raise the action a tad. Thanks for the help!

Turnaround · #4 09-16-2011, 01:38 PM

I would capo at the first and fret and the 17th (or where the neck meets the body) and measure the relief at the 6th or 7th fret. If you use the 12th fret at the high end you won't get a good reading of the amount of relief. And a credit card thickness is too much of you play with a relatively light touch. If there's not enough room for a business card or a Fender thin pick at the 6th fret, you need to loosen the trussrod a bit.

JLS · #5 09-16-2011, 01:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofdeacon117

I recently noticed an issue with my Aerodyne Precision, I took it out of the case for the first time in a while (i bought a new bass about 6 weeks ago) and i noticed that there's an extreme amount of fret buzz on the 3rd, 4th, 5th fret of each string. I play with quite a light touch so i know it's not a technique issue. The 18th fret on the D and G string also have some buzz on them but i've had that for a while now. I did have my bass set up with a low action some time ago (about 12 months), and there has been a noticeable change in the weather recently (it's a lot colder now) but here's my question...

I'm not sure whether i need to adjust the truss rod or adjust the bridge saddles? The saddles are already quite high at the moment, i've never been good at identifying how the neck is but to me it looks pretty damn straight. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Loosen the trussrod a little.

GeoffByrne · #6 09-16-2011, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JLS

Loosen the trussrod a little.

+1

dmusic148 · #7 09-16-2011, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeoffByrne

+1

+2

sonofdeacon117 · #8 09-16-2011, 04:10 PM

Haha looks like i'll have to adjust that truss rod then! I've been playing for a few years now but never attempted any of these sort of adjustments myself, seems like a good time to start though!

One more thing...i can't seem to find any info on this, but should i loosen the strings a little when loosening the truss rod?

JLS · #9 09-16-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Haha looks like i'll have to adjust that truss rod then! I've been playing for a few years now but never attempted any of these sort of adjustments myself, seems like a good time to start though!

There are stickies on this, at the top.

Quote:

One more thing...i can't seem to find any info on this, but should i loosen the strings a little when loosening the truss rod?

No.

96tbird · #10 09-16-2011, 05:54 PM

As jls said, no. The relief is directly related to the string tension at pitch. Don't forget to retune after the adjustment before you check progress. YouTube Lakland's head tech on setups, good vid.

walterw · #11 09-16-2011, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sonofdeacon117

Thanks! I've tried the capo method and there's barely any room for a credit card to slip under the 6th/7th fret, the strings are incredibly close to the neck.

the better the fretwork, the closer you can get this spec, but you need some clearance here. try loosening the rod a pinch (no need to make a deal of it, just stick the wrench in, "unscrew" the nut an 8th-turn or so and check again).

it's like "the price is right", you want to get as close as you can without "going over" (backbow at any point along the neck).