Should I keep this bass?

[Jaiks]

Hello,

I recently received a Squire Modified P Bass which retails for around $250 which seems fairly nice for the price. I have played guitar for a few years but this is my first bass. The setup was terrible when I got it (way too much relief in the neck). My hands are fairly small so lower action would help a great deal. I have replaced the strings and have been tightening the truss rod by a quarter turn every few days for the last couple of weeks to try and get the neck straight. Problem is that I think I have tightened it as far as it will go and I dont want to force it to see if it can turn any more.

The neck isnt straight but is much better than when I got it. I have lowered the saddles for each string to where it is playable but I get buzz above the 14th fret (which is not that big of a problem) so I dont want to lower them anymore. By my measurements, the strings are all about 3.1-3.3mm above the 12th fret and I think this is as good as it is going to get. I may try a slightly smaller gauge string (currently using .045-.105) to see if that helps down the line with the relief.

How acceptable is this? The bass is still returnable but I am guessing I would run in to similar situations with other guitars in this price range. I have been searching the net for consistent information but I thought I would check here too. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks!

[fenderhutz]

Return it and get the modified jazz bass for around the same price.

But play it first, they really are hit and miss.

[capnsandwich]

I think it's worth a shot to take it back and get another one. If the second one does it then I'd shoot for a different brand or getting your money back.

[jmaestro]

Originally Posted by fenderhutz

Return it and get the modified jazz bass for around the same price.

But play it first, they really are hit and miss.

Agreed.

[Jaiks]

Just out of curiosity, what do you all think an acceptable height for the strings should be? I have seen Fender's specs at about 2.4 to 2.8mm but is that the manufacturer just being conservative? I know this all depends on your playing style also but I just want to get some opinions from the users here.

Thanks again!

[ziggyexplorer]

Don't sell it! If it's your first bass guitar, no matter how ****** it is, you should keep it, cause chances are you'll regret selling it later on. My first bass is a piece of **** Peavey Milestone IV. I've done a lot of work since i first got it (6 1/2 years ago) to keep it up to speed with my other bass. I must say, it's been worth it...

Here's some ideas though:

1) Take the entire thing apart (neck from body) and let the neck rest alone for a week or two, or as long as it needs in controlled temperature room
2) If the action is a little high for small hands (believe me, i too have small hands), then you gotta work with it to fix the action to where you want it, don't simply throw in the towel on it

Throw in some TLC and you'll be set in no time

[CapnSev]

Originally Posted by ziggyexplorer

Don't sell it! If it's your first bass guitar, no matter how ****** it is, you should keep it, cause chances are you'll regret selling it later on. My first bass is a piece of **** Peavey Milestone IV. I've done a lot of work since i first got it (6 1/2 years ago) to keep it up to speed with my other bass. I must say, it's been worth it...

Here's some ideas though:

1) Take the entire thing apart (neck from body) and let the neck rest alone for a week or two, or as long as it needs in controlled temperature room
2) If the action is a little high for small hands (believe me, i too have small hands), then you gotta work with it to fix the action to where you want it, don't simply throw in the towel on it

Throw in some TLC and you'll be set in no time

I disagree. Even if it's your first one, why would you want something around that doesn't work and plays like garbage. That's not something I want to hang on to.

[kraigo]

I set the relief so if I'm holding the string down and the first and last fret I could barely fir a business card under the strings. Get your desired height from the bridge, IMO.

I say return it. It's not going to get any better.

KO

[therex]

keep it

[Arx]

what method are you using to check if the neck is straight?

could it actually be the neck angle that's wrong?

[iplaybasstexas]

return it, and get something else. Ex.

Ibanez basses,
Fender MIM used,


or the BEST of all for about the same price,

Epiphone Thunderbird
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/produ...ass?sku=518391

[dbcandle]

Squire has historically had *horrible* quality-control problems. Even the "standard" Fenders are quite "hit or miss".

Some of the more recent Squires are reported to be much better (including, I believe, the "vintage Jazz" mentioned above).

The first thing I check in a bass is the neck/truss-rod and the fretwork. I accept no major comprimises, and I'm not even a "pro". Everything else is "negotiable". I wouldn't consider keeping a bass with a neck that is "bad out-of-the-box".

Note: Because of the length of a bass-neck (~34" vs. ~25") and the increased string-tension, necks on a bass are typically more "finicky" than on a guitar.

[Gintaras]

Rarely have I seen a inexpensive bass guitar with a perfect fret job. I believe there are numerous posts on this forum on that subject. Most of my cheaper basses have had fret leveling and dressing and I just take that as part of the purchase. But first take it back and try another one while you are there. Always walk out of the store with the one you played and not one out of the warehouse.

[Jaiks]

Thanks for all the replys everyone. I took the Squire back and got one of these:

http://www.guitarcenter.com/Ibanez-S...49-i1170752.gc

It play soooooo much better and I got it for only $289 brand new. Only had to shell out an extra $40 once I returned the Squire.

Thanks again!

[Arx]

nice.