Problem with setup, MIJ Fender Jazz 75 re-issue

[George92]

Hey all,

I recently bought a MIJ Fender jazz 75 re-issue. Great to play!... However, when I set up the action and plugged it in, I noticed that my E and G strings were louder than my A and D... I had a closer look at the bridge and saw that as the fretboard curves slightly, I had to lower the E and the G at the bridge so all of the strings are and equal distance away from the fretboard. But now these strings are much louder than the other 2 as they are closer to the pickups and I don't know what to do to get the right balance. By the way, you can't adjust the poles in the pickups. At the moment I have made the bridge straight to get an equal tone, but it makes it not as nice to play.. Anyone have any advice?

Cheers

George

[walterw]

the typical compromise is to drop the pickups away from the strings (especially the neck, and especially on the bass side), so that the difference in distance is not as dramatic from one string to the next.

this annoys me too, so i like pickups from fralin or others that actually correct for this problem with taller center polepieces.

[George92]

right I'll have a go at that and see how it is, cheers

[George92]

It seems to have worked well, I'll find out for sure when I gig with it. I've also noticed a really annoying buzz when I play my open A string and harmonics on that string... It seems like it's coming from somewhere on the headstock but I cant see anything that could be causing the buzz and no parts are loose... also when I press down on the string after the nut, it buzzes less. Any idea on how to get rid of this?

Thanks
George

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by George92

It seems to have worked well, I'll find out for sure when I gig with it. I've also noticed a really annoying buzz when I play my open A string and harmonics on that string... It seems like it's coming from somewhere on the headstock but I cant see anything that could be causing the buzz and no parts are loose... also when I press down on the string after the nut, it buzzes less. Any idea on how to get rid of this?

Thanks
George

Very common on the A string with Fender-style basses. You will need to wind the A string lower on the tuning peg so it breaks at an angle when it crosses over the nut slot. In other words, as the string travels toward the top of the headstock, it should break downward after it crosses the nut, thus putting more pressure on the nut.

If there is no downward pressure on the nut, and the string travels nearly straight over the nut to the tuning peg, it will rattle.

[George92]

I've already tried this, it worked for a bit and then started rattling again... tried again and still rattled.... what about atatching some kind of hair bobble to it to add some pressure? Although I think this may not be enough...

[walterw]

what exactly did you "try"?

you need leave extra string for the A while putting them on, so you get extra wraps pushing the string all the way down to the headstock.

[George92]

I see... I havn't got the end part of my string that long, but I have wrapped it as low as possible. So you're saying it needs to be longer so its wrapped fully round the peg, starting from the top and finishing right down at the bottom?

[electracoyote]

Originally Posted by George92

I see... I havn't got the end part of my string that long, but I have wrapped it as low as possible. So you're saying it needs to be longer so its wrapped fully round the peg, starting from the top and finishing right down at the bottom?

Yes, if you cut the string too short, you won't be able to wrap it enough to force the string downward toward the bottom of the post.

This is the quick easy fix, but sometimes there are other things going on. But you should try this first.

[George92]

Yeah I think it is that. Like I've said I've lowered it and left it over night and it doesn't rattle anymore! I think with it being new its being allitle moody hehe. Cheers for your help fellas!