Warbling Fender Bass Problem

SteveD · #1 12-19-2008, 07:51 PM

Hi, hope someone can help. I have a stock 65 Fender Jazz Bass that has developed an intermittent warbling sound on sustained notes. Almost sounds like a vibrato effect. I have tried different cords, amps and locations to no avail. The hard part is the problem comes and goes.

Thanks in advance.

bikeplate · #2 12-19-2008, 08:01 PM

HI

Are the pickups too close to the strings? Try lowering them. 7/64th for the back, 6/64 for the front if I remember well. To get this measurment, push the string against the 20th fret as you measure. Try it

Rob

John Wentzien · #3 12-19-2008, 08:04 PM

SteveD · #4 12-19-2008, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bikeplate

HI

Are the pickups too close to the strings? Try lowering them. 7/64th for the back, 6/64 for the front if I remember well. To get this measurment, push the string against the 20th fret as you measure. Try it

Rob

Thanks for the idea. Looks like I'm at about 10/64ths on the front pickup and higher at the bridge pickup. That's holding the string down at the 20th fret. Rats, I was hoping that was it.

ewimsatt · #5 12-19-2008, 08:51 PM

Are you using tapered strings? That's where they get smaller as they go over the saddles.

SteveD · #6 12-19-2008, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ewimsatt

Are you using tapered strings? That's where they get smaller as they go over the saddles.

Strings are not tapered. They are quarter-rounds by D'Addario, about 8 weeks old.

Thangfish · #7 12-19-2008, 09:12 PM

Maybe they got twisted?
Try to unstring it and carefully restring, making sure they don't twist.

ewimsatt · #8 12-19-2008, 09:14 PM

I had a bass come into the shop last week with a terrible warble sound on every note played above he 8th or so fret. It had relatively new strings on it, but gave off a kind of double note/chorus sound. After setting the action, intonation, relief, polishing the frets, adjusting PU height, cleaning the electronics, filing the nut, deburring the saddles, tightening the strap buttons, praying to Jesus, dancing on one foot, reciting Act 5, Scene 5 of Macbeth, smacking a rooster, and paying a monkey with a wooden leg to kick the seeds out of a pickle... all to no avail... I changed the strings and it went away.

Dunno if it will work in your case, but it worked for me.

Thangfish · #9 12-19-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thangfish

Maybe they got twisted?
Try to unstring it and carefully restring, making sure they don't twist.

... and if that doesn't help, replace them.

Dirk Diggler · #10 12-19-2008, 11:02 PM

Sounds to me like it could be a truss rod issue, have you adjusted it recently. Or thanks to drier indoor weather perhaps it's loose.
Easy fix if that's it. Also check your bridge height adjust screws, make sure they are providing even pressure.
Good luck,
Dirk

SteveD · #11 12-20-2008, 01:56 PM

Thanks to all. I'll get strings ASAP and see if that's the problem. I'll report what I learn as it may help others someday.

SteveD · #12 12-20-2008, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dirk Diggler

Sounds to me like it could be a truss rod issue, have you adjusted it recently. Or thanks to drier indoor weather perhaps it's loose.
Easy fix if that's it. Also check your bridge height adjust screws, make sure they are providing even pressure.
Good luck,
Dirk

I did adjust it recently, Too much bow but I didn't want to crank down on the rod too much as I had tightened it a few weeks ago due to the same problem. I loosened the strings, put some heat on the neck and and left it overnight. The rod doesn't feel loose. I'll check the screws, thanks.