Raise the action or turn the truss rod?

Kragma · #1 10-09-2010, 09:04 PM

I've had a G&L L2500 tribute for a little while now and I thought I had it set up to my liking, but perhaps the change in weather recently has lead it to giving me issues. Namely, fret buzz and annoying clacking, but only when played above the 8th fret or so, getting worse as the frets go higher. At the first fret, I could play as aggressive as I like and it's not going to make too much noise about it, but at the 15th I can be gentle and still get a buzz. The buzz comes from the next fret up, not a specific "problem" fret.

I've read all the guides to set up and I can't say I've really seen anything that might cover this specific issue. Measurements-wise, everything seems kosher, with about 1.5mm of space at the 8th fret when fretting on the 1st and 21st frets.

So my question is, is this a problem I should address with the truss rod, or do I need to start messing with the saddle height? Or is there a comedy third option I'm overlooking. I'm thinking it's saddle height, but I don't want to go messing with it without asking the question. I'm sure someone else has run into exactly this problem before.

bassteban · #2 10-09-2010, 09:18 PM

ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

jarrod cunningham · #3 10-09-2010, 09:22 PM

i always measure (by eye) at the 12th when fretting the first and last fret . to my liking , i like the neck with very little relief and the saddles adjust out the buzzing . sounds like it has some relief in it making your 8th fret lower than your end frets . also just to ask , if the neck relief looks right , you may need to check and see if there are neck shims in the pocket . also , does this bass have the mico tilt adjustment ?

Violen · #4 10-09-2010, 09:23 PM

Take it in for a tune up. have the frets dressed. If its above about the fifth fret its an action thing, not a trussrod thing.

darkstorm · #5 10-10-2010, 06:54 PM

Look down the neck from body toward headstock. Is the neck bassically straight or slight backbowed? Allways adjust truss rod if needed first. Then string saddles. It is perfectly normal to need to give truss rod a little tweak a couple times a yr for seasonal changes.

dave_bass5 · #6 10-11-2010, 07:14 AM

I always thought that as a general rule if you get buzzing about the 6th fret you need to flatten the neck, below that you need more relief.
Once the buzzing is either even at most frets, or gone then you can adjust the action.
Do G&L publish their spec's? I would start with the neck within spec first if possible.
This works for me.

CrashClint · #7 10-11-2010, 10:07 AM

If you haven't put new strings on the bass and nothing has changed but the weather, I would adjust the truss rod. It is a pretty common thing that happens with many basses during seasonal changes, the neck will move due to humidity changes.