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Action on my Gibson bass?
- Thread starter Jd261808
- Start date
Truss rod adjustments or saddle height adjustments. I've never owned one but I'm sure it's the same principles. Just carefully tighten the truss rod, play it and if you like it, there you go. If not, turn it again but try to turn it a quarter turn at a time. For your saddle height adjustment, this will lower/higher your strings at the bridge. If you want strings to be closer to the fretboard, lower 'em. Also check your neck for curves in either direction.
On many Gibson bridges, height adjustment is primarily done by adjusting the 2 side stud bolts. Not all models have individual saddle height adjustments (thinking most don't).
If you fret a string at the highest fret, how far off the frets is the string at the 12th fret? This is your neck "relief" - if it's fairly small, your neck should be close, focus on the bridge.
- Oct 7, 2000
- 18,619
- 38,939
- Disclosures
- Endorsing artist: Musicman basses
The bridge on the EB isn't yer standard bridge. It's very unique, and a bit of a pain in the ass to adjust. I'd suggest doing a search on adjusting a Babicz bridge. And do what the others have said regarding the truss rod. You may have too much relief in the neck and need to tighten it up a bit. I'd actually do that, first.
"Guitar Player Repair Guide How to Set up Maintain and Repair Electrics and Acoustics" is a book that has completely saved me from any potential frustration. I highly recommend it for you! 
Isn't Gibson the brand (along with Peavey) that requires a specialty wrench to adjust the truss rod?
Ahh, I missed the "2014 EB" - nice bridge on those, though! Still, I wouldn't go messing with the neck unless I was sure I knew what I was doing - never more than 1/4 turn, and read up first! The Gary Willis setup pages are excellent.
Yeah, it's called a 5/16" socket. Or 5/16" nut driver. Or 5/16" truss tool.
Thanks for all the help everyone! Ok I lowered the action to a nice playing position but I get fret buzz 12-20 frets. But I figured out how to lower it. Now, trying my trust rod adjustment and the actual nut spins, and is somewhat loose? Not sure what happended here. Used a capo on the first fret and put the feeler gauge in around the 7th fret and the string is slightly higher which means I need to tighten the rod? But the trust rod nut appears to be loose?
that's not good... usually means it's stripped... I'd take it to a pro at this point.
So the nut won't tighten no matter how many turns you give it?
Any way, you did it backwards. Truss (relief) first, then string height. Always check relief first.
Any way, you did it backwards. Truss (relief) first, then string height. Always check relief first.
I guess I gave him bad advice on that. The bridge setup is (usually) a less intimidating task than a truss rod adjustment (in terms of likelihood of doing damage if you mess it up). You're right, though, can't fix a neck issue with a bridge adjustment. First thing to do is to determine the actual source of the issue, standard debug.
StewMac has several different truss rod saving tools. They look a wee bit beyond my current skill level. Take it to a pro, hope for good news.
If you do get it to grip, take it really slow, 1/4 turn a day, and straighten the neck manually a bit and hold it in position before turning. (Sorry if you know all that already.)
