Problem with high action, saddles lowered to the max.

[steviecsg]

ive got a neckthrough bass but for some reason the action on the G string is way too high despite me lowering down the saddles to the maximum.

I know that if it was a bolt on, all I would have to do would be to shim the neck but in my case, the bass is a neck through, thus eliminating any possibility of shimming? What else could be done apart from adjusting the truss rod?

Oh and I need some help in finding the right tools to adjust the truss rod. upon opening the truss rod cover at the headstock, I discovered that there is a nut sticking out, instead of a recession where i put a hex key in like other basses. Any suggestions of the tools I should get to adjust the truss rod?

Thanks so much in advance.

Steve

[Bassic83]

Probably a thin-walled deep socket, and I don't know the size. Once adjusted correctly, you may find that it needs more- in that case, you'd need to rout the bridge down an 1/8" or maybe a 1/4". Try not to go deeper than that- you may not be able to load your strings! This particular operation is best done by a trained professional. Hope that helps some.

[ldervish]

I ordered a tool from Peavey to adjust my Dyna's truss and it was cheap, like $5 or something. Whoever made your bass may offer something similar.

[el_Kabong]

Since only the G is a problem it doesn't sound like a truss rod adjustment to me. Maybe the nut slot for the G isn't cut deep enough? Is the string to fret clearance at the 1st fret noticeably higher on the G compared to the other strings?

[steviecsg]

Wow, thank you all for your comments. Didn't expect a reply this fast.

Originally Posted by el_Kabong

Since only the G is a problem it doesn't sound like a truss rod adjustment to me. Maybe the nut slot for the G isn't cut deep enough? Is the string to fret clearance at the 1st fret noticeably higher on the G compared to the other strings?

Yes the G string is noticeably higher than the rest. But when i fret the G string at the first fret and hold the string down at the last fret, the gap between the frets and the string is reasonably wider than when i do the same on the E string, thus giving rise to my suspicion that the neck might be warped.

[jeffhigh]

Adjust the relief with the truss rod first. If it is currently excessive, reducing the relief will also lower the action.
If you still need to go lower at the bridge, consider grinding off the bottom of the bridge saddle

[el_Kabong]

Originally Posted by steviecsg

Wow, thank you all for your comments. Didn't expect a reply this fast.



Yes the G string is noticeably higher than the rest. But when i fret the G string at the first fret and hold the string down at the last fret, the gap between the frets and the string is reasonably wider than when i do the same on the E string, thus giving rise to my suspicion that the neck might be warped.

That doesn't sound good. But if it's not too severe you might be able to work around it. I'd set up the nut first, if it's way out then you're pretty much stuck with a high action no matter what else you do. (Capo the bass at the first fret and measure the clearance at the second fret. Take the capo off and measure the clearance at the first fret. It should be the same plus a whisker). Then tweak the truss rod to see if you can get any improvement out of that without the other strings buzzing, then try jeffhigh's tip of grinding the bottom of the saddle. I've got a fender that's needed the same treatment and it's pretty good now.

[skoti89]

what kind of bridge? badass II's do that alot

[steviecsg]

Good news everybody,

I popped down to a guitar store and purchased a stewmac wrench to turn the nut and guess what. The neck has straightened out a great deal and it plays much better than before.

Although the G string is still a tad higher, the difference is less noticeable than before.

Once again thanks very much for all your help!

Steve