Set up tips for Fender 5 string?

Mike M. · #1 03-28-2010, 12:40 PM

Got an MIM Fender 5 string Jazz bass last December. Love the low B and I love the active electronics.

But I'd really like to get the action lower than what it's currentley at. Of what I can tell the nut slots could be filed down a bit (not by much), but the real problem seems to be with the saddles for the string height. For example, the saddle for the G string is all the way down and the string is still too high for my liking. The bow in the neck is good though. Not too much and not too little.

I'm thinking that maybe using saddles that are smaller in diameter might help with that. The diameter of the saddles measure about .370. I also have a Squire P-bass and the diameter of the saddles measure about .300 and the action on that bass is beautiful. Can't believe how well it plays for a "
budget" instrument.

Just want to get my 5 string to play as well as my Squire does. I see no reason why it can't. Any tips would be much appreciated.

Thanks for your time.

Marton · #2 03-28-2010, 12:50 PM

Shim the neck !

reedo35 · #3 03-28-2010, 01:03 PM

Yes, if the neck relief is good and the saddles are all the way down, and it is still not low enough for you, shimming the neck is your answer.

Renaissance · #4 03-28-2010, 01:24 PM

I have a MIM Jazz V that had the same problem. Shim the neck. I used some business cards cut down to about 1/2 x 3 inches. I think I used 2 or 3 shims stacked to get my neck where I could set up my action to my liking.

Mike M. · #5 03-28-2010, 02:34 PM

So, shimming the neck is safe and wont cause any problems down the road? Sounds easy enough, but any little tips I should know about before I do this?

I work in a CNC machine shop and have access to all kinds of shim stock in thickness ranging from .0005 to .020. I have to work tonight (#*@?!?*!) but while there I'll grab some. What thickness would you recommend?

reedo35 · #6 03-28-2010, 03:37 PM

As has been stated, Business card or Credit card thickness should be fine.

Mike M. · #7 03-28-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by reedo35

As has been stated, Business card or Credit card thickness should be fine.

Okay. Business card is about .011 thick and a credit card measures about .030 thick. I guess I'll go with about .020 for starters and see what happens.