what happened to my set up?

[BAW]

Hi TB, i have a serious dilemma going on with my fender jaguar bass.


the story:
ive had my jag for over 2 years and it really needed to be professionally set up, have a nut replacement, and be shielded. the only problem was that it was my only bass, so once i got enough for a new (used) bass i sent the jag to a very well reputed shop for a nut replacement and set up. the shop did an awesome job. a few weeks later a string broke on my hoppus p bass so i took the strings off the jag and put them on the hoppus to get me through my bands 2 shows that week. while the jag was sans strings i shielded it. the jag was without strings for about a week and a half, i did not remove the neck nor did i touch the truss rod. i did remove the bridge to polish it. when i went to put strings back on it they wouldnt play.


the problem:
every string buzzes from the fifth fret to the nut including open notes. ive adjusted the saddles as much as i can in every direction and even tried two different sets of strings, 1 of which ive used several time before on that bass.

the only thing i can think of thats wrong is the nut being too low, it was fine when it first came home, what could have happened? what can i do to fix this? please help me TB, i need to use this bass when my band records next month.

[ByF]

Sounds like you need to loosen the truss rod. While the strings were off, the neck changed shape a bit because it wasn't under tension. When you put the strings back on, the neck didn't come back to the original shape. Wooden necks move around with changes in the weather, changes of string tension, etc..

You need to adjust your truss rod, then adjust the saddles back to where they were. Nuts don't change overnight--that's probably fine.

Ed

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by ByF

. . . the neck changed shape a bit because it wasn't under tension. When you put the strings back on, the neck didn't come back to the original shape. . . .

This is the answer. You need to do another "setup". If you are unsure how to do it yourself (search TalkBass ) then take it to a trusted professional (the same guy who did it before) to have it done.

Setups aren't permanent. They need to be redone whenever the seasons change, you change strings, a different party takes over Congress, etc.

[BAW]

thanx guys!

ive never adjusted a truss rod before but some info here and a couple youtube vids have given me the confidence to tackle the problem tomorrow. if i mess it up bad the repair guy cant charge more than he already would.

[hbarcat]

Originally Posted by BAW

thanx guys!

ive never adjusted a truss rod before but some info here and a couple youtube vids have given me the confidence to tackle the problem tomorrow. if i mess it up bad the repair guy cant charge more than he already would.

Doing your own setups is the biggest step anyone can take on the road to "expert bass player" IMO.


Please post back here to let us know how your setup goes. Remember, setups are as much an art as a science. You are tuning up a complex piece of wood - which was once a living thing - and developing a feel for how it reacts to being screwed back and forth takes time.

[Foamy]

Note: The nut, good or bad, only affects open strings. If the problem is there with fretted notes, it is not a nut problem. Just do a simple setup. 5 minutes. Done. Next time, don't do that. Don't let it sit without strings.
And even if you don't, you may need to do a quick setup just when changing strings. Learn to do it. It'll be very fast, and you'll be a lot happier.

[BAW]

so lemme get this strait, if i tighten the rod will it arch up like a rainbow? and if loosen it it will arch down like its sagging?

or am i backwards?

also which way should i arch it to fix my problem?

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by BAW

so lemme get this strait, if i tighten the rod will it arch up like a rainbow? and if loosen it it will arch down like its sagging?



or am i backwards?

also which way should i arch it to fix my problem?

You need to loosen it to let it bow from the tension of the strings. Just an eighth to a quarter turn at the very most every few hours. Really....take your time - even a couple days if needed.

The real true best setting is up to you. Generally, I do this.... Fret the E string on the first and highest fret. Look at the space between the string and the 7th or 8th fret. There should be a small amout of space - about the thickness of a business card, and no more than the thickness of a credit card. That should give you a good amount of bow that should fit many styles.

Oh, and you may be backwards, but you got the truss rod adjustment correct.

[dannster]

If you learn how to do this simple task it'll last a life time and your friends will pay you to do it for them.
I made $35 today changing strings and a basic set up today for a friend.