Tip: when setting up a used bass...

[gravyboat]

I recently got a used Jazz V off ebay and have been trying to set it up properly; I followed the extremely useful information on this thread and others here, but couldn't get to where the action was right without fret buzz. I fiddled with the truss rod (which I hate to do), the saddle height, took a little off a buzzing fret, but nothing seemed to fix the problem. Finally, after reading the problems diagnosed here , I checked and found that the neck had been shimmed.

So, to anyone else setting up a used bass, save yourself some trouble and make sure the neck hasn't been shimmed before performing all the setup steps.

[Jo6Pak]

The first thing I do when I buy a used guitar is take it completely apart...

[scootron]

Originally Posted by Jo6Pak

The first thing I do when I buy a used guitar is take it completely apart...

I'm inclined the same way, but a little bit timid. Are there no areas of concern in disassembling a bass (assuming you are careful and keep all the parts)?

[Jo6Pak]

Originally Posted by scootron

I'm inclined the same way, but a little bit timid. Are there no areas of concern in disassembling a bass (assuming you are careful and keep all the parts)?

I'm speaking mostly of Fenders. You really can't hurt them and once you've taken one apart, jacked with it and reassembled it, the rest are cake. That goes for pretty much anything with a bolt-on neck, in my experience, anyway. I mostly like modding Fenders because of all the of parts/accessories and their mix-and-match-ability of parts between models (J neck on a P body, for example). Keep in mind, however, that once it is reassembled it will require a complete set-up...

[alexofc69]

I have a used MIM Jazz V and took it to a local luthier. I like low action and it seems to be higher in the upper as well. I played a couple of other MIM %'s and they seem to be like this too.
Hmmm.. Im going to take it a better luthier that I usually take my stuff to.