Shim the neck or else?

[machine gewehr]

Hi all, my problem is no matter how I adjust the string height and truss-rod,it is always harder to play the high register notes.Hardness start at 8th-9th frets and gets worse every fret.

Also high notes have an unbalanced volume,they put lot more output then lower notes.

Also please consider,the neck of the bass has been replaced.What do you suggest I should do? Thanks for the time folks.

[202dy]

Not enough information to comment. Please take measurements for relief at the seventh fret and string height at the twelfth and last frets. Make and model are not necessary but are nice to know if there are any known quirks.

If you do not know how to take the measurements refer to the sticky at the top of the forum.

[Pilgrim]

If you want to try a shim, it's quick and easy to do. Just remove the neck, fold over a biz card, drop it in the base of the neck pocket, tape it down with a small piece of scotch tape, then re-assemble. The process is free and easily reversible. There's nothing wrong with shimming a neck, but it's only needed under certain curcumstances.

If you have too much bow in the neck, a shim isn't what's needed, and that could account for excess string height on higher frets. 202dy has you on the right track.

If your volume is uneven, you may need to adjust your pickup height. Do an online search for info on how to set up an electric bass...there's plenty out there.

[machine gewehr]

First,yea I always use pickup height as volume balancer,I just changed the height of bridge p.up to the same height for E and G to play more comfortably.

I have no instrument to take any measurements,I have 2 allen wrenches to adjust the rod and saddles and a wrench to adjust intonation and p.up height.

I measure the relief by using Garry Willis method for 3 years and am pretty good with setting up guitars and basses.Knowing that I am good at these things and cant adjust "MY" bass bugs me and leads me to think there's something wrong with the bass.

I have tried to have a good amount of relief,proper amount of relief and no relief on the neck,always the same problem occurs.

Thanks for the answers also.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by machine gewehr

First,yea I always use pickup height as volume balancer,I just changed the height of bridge p.up to the same height for E and G to play more comfortably.

I have no instrument to take any measurements,I have 2 allen wrenches to adjust the rod and saddles and a wrench to adjust intonation and p.up height.

I measure the relief by using Garry Willis method for 3 years and am pretty good with setting up guitars and basses.Knowing that I am good at these things and cant adjust "MY" bass bugs me and leads me to think there's something wrong with the bass.

I have tried to have a good amount of relief,proper amount of relief and no relief on the neck,always the same problem occurs.

Thanks for the answers also.

All it takes to measure string heights is an inexpensive rule from the hardware store that has increments in 64ths. Feeler gauges are essential for the professional repair shop to measure relief but the business card is the device most often used device around TB. Certainly there is one lying around somewhere in your domicile. Since you seem to think there is something wrong with the bass then quantifying the physical details is key. Otherwise, if adjusting by "feel" everything is a variable. From a standpoint of asking for advice on the internet, it is hard enough to diagnose a sick guitar without seeing it. Measurements make all the difference.

[machine gewehr]

Yes,I understand you and I use the credit card to match the correct amount of relief.Even at that time (credit card thickness relief) it is still the same,something is always wrong with the high register.

[ko stradivarius]

Of all places Radio Shack has a nice little metal ruler for around $5. I believe it measures to 64ths. I can't remember right now even though I bought one. ...and used it for my setup.