Need opinions on J-Bass set-up

[BarkSlayer]

I have a very nice MIM Jazz Deluxe and need some opinions on set-up. The action is nice and low from the fifth fret on down, but from there it gets much higher. By the ninth fret, it's way too high for my liking. Further up it's nearly impossible for me to play. There doesn't appear to be any warp, so I'm hoping a truss rod and/or saddle height adjustment will cure things. My local shop is very good, but he doesn't really specialize in bass. His feeling is, "that's just the way it is." OTOH, I play basses all the time that are much lower and faster without any fret buzz. Can anyone recommend a great source for expert Fender bass set-up in southeast Michigan?

[dmusic148]

Your neck is too straight, possibly even back-bowed. Loosen the truss rod to fix this, in quarter turns. To check your progress, fret the E string at the first fret while 'fretting' the last fret with your elbow. While doing this, try and slide a credit card between the E string and the 6th or 7th fret. It should not quite fit, or be a tight fit. Adjust truss rod until this condition is achieved. Then adjust bridge saddles to desired action.
I don't know anyone in Michigan.

[Joe Nerve]

Not too sure I agree with the above post. Perhaps we're reading your problem differently. Seems to me like you need to start with dropping the bridge saddles. But better yet, why don't you read as much as you can on doing your own setup, educate yourself, and then diagnose and fix your own problem. It's not all that tough really. And it's hard for anyone here to tell you exactly what to do without seeing the bass.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by Joe Nerve

Not too sure I agree with the above post. Perhaps we're reading your problem differently.

Heck, I could be wrong. Haven't seen it. But drastically rising action beyond the 5th fret does indicate lack of relief, AND the bridge saddles are too high. Gotta fix the relief first though.

[Ewo]

I'd agree with dmusic148 that it sounds like a combination of back bow with the saddles set way high to compensate. I ain't a tech, and don't mess with my frets, but neck relief and saddle height are player adjustments unless there's something mechanically wrong (like, say, a stripped truss rod nut).

There are stickies in the repair section of the bass guitar forum about setup and neck adjustment. Why dontcha read up, and ping this thread again with questions?

Another good source is Gary Willis's 101 Bass Tips book. And Dan Erlewine's repair book has a good description of problems with truss rods.

[Joe Nerve]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

Heck, I could be wrong. Haven't seen it. But drastically rising action beyond the 5th fret does indicate lack of relief, AND the bridge saddles are too high. Gotta fix the relief first though.

Exactly why you should read up on your own. I probably AM wrong.

[RPIcka]

Put a straight edge on your neck and adjust the truss rod accordingly if possible. You want a little gap somewhere around 1/16". Then adjust your saddles to bring your E string to about 3/32" and your G string to about 2/32" thats usually a good starting point. Thing is to get the neck straight as possible with a slight bow in it using the truss rod, then bring your strings down using the saddles. Good luck.

[vejesse]

.125" worth of neck relief? Are you a masochist?

[Ewo]

Originally Posted by vejesse

.125" worth of neck relief? Are you a masochist?

More like .012, eh?

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by Ewo

More like .012, eh?

.012 would be too little for most players, although, .125", or an 1/8 inch, is a little much. The other end of the poster's suggested range, 1/16", or .0625 if you prefer, is about right on the high side. I tend to go just a bit flatter than that. But, I have set up basses with poor fret work with that much relief that played quite well.

[vejesse]

Dude edited the post to say 1/16". However, if you play with a light touch, .062" worth of relief still feels like a lot. The Fender setup guide calls for .014" believe it or not.