Strangest Set-Up I Ever Did!

[SGT. Pepper]

I recently purchased a Fender MIM Jazz V Deluxe. I had some Fender 7250's to put on it. After removing it from the box and removing the strings, polishing her up, and oiling the fret board, I began to do my set-up. I strung it up tuned, it to pitch, and checked the neck, it was bowed a bit. So, I tweak the rod a half turn, adjust string height and intonation and all was well. Later that night the bass developed two bad rattles on the E string on the 8th and 10th frets. I added a 1/4 turn of relief and raised up the action but the 8th fret still rattled. I messed with the bass for about three hours the next day trying to get rid of this rattle. No matter what I did re-straightening the neck, raising the action, ect. didn't work. I was baffled!
Then I said let me try the opposite. I began to add relief a 1/4 turn at a time and lower the saddles a full turn at a time. Little by little the rattles went away and after 5 repititions of the aforementioned action, the rattle was eliminated completly. I couldn't belive it! The more relief I put the lower I was able to get the action. I have it perfect now strung with DR SunBeams. {One of the Fenders broke in the adjusting process.}
This bass you had to almost go against all typical set-up standards and set it up BACKWARDS almost! Never, never, did I ever run into an instrument like this. But I must say it plays beautiful now and the strings are nice and taught. Has anyone else out in the bass world experienced a weird backwards instrument like this? I'd like to hear your story.

[Zooberwerx]

Doesn't sound backwards at all, my friend! When straightening or removing relief, I find that high or uneven frets become glaringly evident resulting in the buzz(es) you witnessed. As soon as you reintroduced relief, the buzzes slowly disappeared as the neck settled in. Case in point: I set up my 5 banger with modest relief and medium action. I ended up with fretboard buzz between the nut and fretted note! My nut slots are cut correctly so I gave in and took it to my local tech (Kenny Marshall / AL&M Music / Norfolk, VA). Turns out I have high spots and the 4th and 7th frets. As Kenny explains it, fret / fingerboard profile should have a gentle "roll" to it to maintain low buzz-free action.

Riis

[jsapri]

SGT. Pepper, so what is your relief at the 8th fret, pressing both the first fret and last fret on the neck? Just curious, that's all?

[SGT. Pepper]

Originally Posted by jsapri

SGT. Pepper, so what is your relief at the 8th fret, pressing both the first fret and last fret on the neck? Just curious, that's all?

About a credit cards thickness.

[SGT. Pepper]

I took it to my local luthier to get a fret job done.
$35.00 for a partial, $50.00 for the whole neck, so I got the whole neck.
He tried to hit me for a set-up {$50.00} and a set of new strings {$30.00}.
I told him just do the frets. Im capable of a set-up and new strings on my own.
Some of these guys are real schiesters.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by jsapri

SGT. Pepper, so what is your relief at the 8th fret, pressing both the first fret and last fret on the neck? Just curious, that's all?

I've also been told to check the 1st and 17th (?) fret, the rationale being that the 18th - 24th frets are virtually unaffected by variances in truss rod tension. Sounds reasonable although I have no practical experience with this method.

Riis

[202dy]

Originally Posted by SGT. Pepper

I took it to my local luthier to get a fret job done.
$35.00 for a partial, $50.00 for the whole neck, so I got the whole neck.
He tried to hit me for a set-up {$50.00} and a set of new strings {$30.00}.
I told him just do the frets. Im capable of a set-up and new strings on my own.
Some of these guys are real schiesters.

It is interesting to hear how some luthiers run their businesses. The practice of charging a client for a setup when the customer wants a fret dress only might be considered excessive. Of course, when one considers that the only way to check the fret dress when the work is complete is to do a setup, it is ridiculous to for a top notch tech to charge for it. It should be included in the price since the work will be performed anyway.

However, the price of the fret dress should be adjusted to reflect all of the work that is to be performed.

[SGT. Pepper]

He used to include a basic set-up with a fret job at one time.
He always tries to get you for the strings though.
I guess it's just greed.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by SGT. Pepper

He used to include a basic set-up with a fret job at one time.
He always tries to get you for the strings though.
I guess it's just greed.

Assuming that the string companies send him the strings gratis that is a savings that should be passed on to the consumer. But if the luthier must pay for the strings then it is reasonable for one to expect to compensate this highly skilled tech for inventory costs, carrying charges, profit, and taxes.

[PilbaraBass]

it's not greed....

often it's simply poor communication...

a check-sheet where the customer gets a copy BEFORE the work is performed is the best way of achieving good communication, AND documented evidence...

I'm about to embark on my first fret-job this weekend on an inexpensive bass, that I just can't get low enough...

the neck is very nice, now...but the action is just too high for my tastes...btw...as my playing progresses, my demands on action are becoming more stringent.

[SGT. Pepper]

He buys his strings and charges a fortune for them.
D'Addario XL Nickels for 5 string $32.00 I mean come on now!
Can get them for $19.00 for a single set and $25.00 for the twin pack. Besides he never has the strings I like in stock anyway.