Possible Fenderitis

greydominion · #1 08-24-2011, 05:53 PM

I'm setting up my 72 Jazz Bass now. I got the neck perfect, the action is good, and the intonation is in. But, up at the higher frets (around 15+), it is almost all buzz. Especially the E, A, D strings. I've heard the vintage Fenders can kick the neck up where it bolts on. If this is the case, can I raise the action to avoid this or will I need to level the fretboard or something more drastic. Thanks.

Tigger Bangdang · #2 08-24-2011, 05:55 PM

You should just give it to me. I'd rather see that than you throw it away... Really, I would take it to a luthier. You don't wanna risk messing up such a nice instrument to save a few bucks.

john grey · #3 08-24-2011, 05:57 PM

If it only buzzes when it's UN-amplified, let it be and enjoy a lower action.

testing1two · #4 08-24-2011, 07:17 PM

It's not just vintage Fenders. Almost all bolt-ons can suffer from the infamous "ski jump" (some boutique builders intentionally incorporate a slight fall-off at the end of the fingerboard to compensate for this phenomenon). The question is do you need your action so low that the neck has to be perfectly straight? If you don't, raise the action and keep on truckin. If you do, read on...

If the rise is not significant you can compensate for it with a fret leveling. It will look odd because frets 15-20 will be lower than the rest but the end result will be correct. If the rise is more extreme then it takes a re-fret and fingerboard leveling. Whatever route you choose, take the bass to the best tech/luthier you can afford so the job is done right.

I just addressed this issue with my jazz bass which is about 20 years old and I must say, a jazz bass with a dead straight neck and perfect frets is a joy to play.

Langer93 · #5 08-25-2011, 04:09 AM

+1 testing1two

mongo2 · #6 08-25-2011, 05:36 AM

I've shimmed the back of the neck pocket to cant the nut foward a bit which helped allieviate the tongue flip on several Fenders. Obviously another setup would be required and the effectiveness of the procedure depends on the severity of the flip.

On a couple the action was too high even with the saddles all the way down so I also used a flat shim in conjuction with the other shim to raise the fingerboard closer to the strings to restore the adjustment range of the saddles.

Reuben · #7 08-25-2011, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mongo2

On a couple the action was too high even with the saddles all the way down so I also used a flat shim in conjuction with the other shim to raise the fingerboard closer to the strings to restore the adjustment range of the saddles.

I have also done this before, and I'm getting ready to do it on a P bass soon.