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Club Sadowsky!!!

I lightened up my touch and went finger style and it still had it everywhere. The bass had the strings practically resting on the frets.

I raised each string maybe a quarter turn on the bridge adjustment. I then took the advice of angel crusher and made a small turn on the neck and it feels a lot better.

I play with a pick (blasphemy I know) so I’m used to having some height on the strings.

Sounds like you are on the right track. Considering that you are so close to NYC, it would be hard for me to resist taking it to the shop for Roger to give it a little TLC. Especially considering it's age.
 
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I lightened up my touch and went finger style and it still had it everywhere. The bass had the strings practically resting on the frets.

I raised each string maybe a quarter turn on the bridge adjustment. I then took the advice of angel crusher and made a small turn on the neck and it feels a lot better.

I play with a pick (blasphemy I know) so I’m used to having some height on the strings.

Kev,

The Japanese set up their basses VERY low. Always remember that the FIRST adjustment you always want to make IS the neck. Don't be afraid of the truss rod. Once you are confident the neck is straight, THEN adjust the bridge saddles as needed. If you can swing by the shop again, I can dial it in for you.

Roger
 
Kev,

The Japanese set up their basses VERY low. Always remember that the FIRST adjustment you always want to make IS the neck. Don't be afraid of the truss rod. Once you are confident the neck is straight, THEN adjust the bridge saddles as needed. If you can swing by the shop again, I can dial it in for you.

Roger

This is what I'm talking about...

Keep up the great work, Roger and Co.!
 
If this bass is buzzing on nearly every fret, try hitting the strings with less power.

Yes, I’m learning to adjust my “striking” of the strings. I’m a hard striker on the strings depending on where in a given song I may be. I play in 3 bands and each is different than the other. This bass will be used for 2 out of the three.

But hitting hard is something I MUST learn to adjust per the instrument being used. The thing also is that I tried using my fingers and doing a couple of walking lines and the buzz was still there.

But I made the adjustments on the bridge and raised each string a touch barely a quarter turn on each saddle and now it plays ALOT better. Man the Sadowsky page or rather forum is badass. So many good people and great advice. I’m telling you it’s like being in the cool kids club.
 
Kev,

The Japanese set up their basses VERY low. Always remember that the FIRST adjustment you always want to make IS the neck. Don't be afraid of the truss rod. Once you are confident the neck is straight, THEN adjust the bridge saddles as needed. If you can swing by the shop again, I can dial it in for you.

Roger

My fear having turned wrenches on Vehciles is my touch is well let’s say not as light or refined. I will def be swinging by the shop ASAP.

And again THANK YOU for the help and advice. I look forward to coming in. Although the wife said I’m leaving my CC home...she read my early post about almost pulling it out and walking out with a bass...
 
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I can remember my first NYC Sadowsky.
The action was low but I lowered it to see how low I could go without buzz. Very low!
Sounded great at home but when I auditioned, the strings were smacking against the fretboard up near the pickups.
Oops.
I've used Roger's article and pickup/string heights etc. that someone posted in Talkbass for years now to do setups myself.
It's worth learning and if I can do it . . .
 
Well I know basses have a touch of Fretbuzz but this was on every string and damn near every fret lol.

But it seems to be playing better now. My only problem now is that I’m at work and can’t play.
Congrats on a killer deal. I was eyeing that one myself.

I see that Roger himself confirmed the setup advice that club members were offering. And that he will help you personally! Too cool. I may need to check airfares to NYC when the weather cools off... :D
 
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My only issue is that I was told the bass would be set up prior to leaving and yeah...there is fret buzz EVERYWHERE on the neck. I’ll have to take it in to get set up. But I’ve only had this bass a few hours and I LOVE IT.

Having a bass travel from Japan to NJ and survive the moving and temperature changes with the setup in tact is not completely realistic. Setup is not difficult, and adjusting the bridge is the LAST thing to do, not the first. Watch this video and you will see how straightforward it is to adjust the neck and setup. Roger's setup measurements are listed elsewhere in this forum by Fran.
 
Yes, I’m learning to adjust my “striking” of the strings. I’m a hard striker on the strings depending on where in a given song I may be. I play in 3 bands and each is different than the other. This bass will be used for 2 out of the three.

But hitting hard is something I MUST learn to adjust per the instrument being used. The thing also is that I tried using my fingers and doing a couple of walking lines and the buzz was still there.

But I made the adjustments on the bridge and raised each string a touch barely a quarter turn on each saddle and now it plays ALOT better. Man the Sadowsky page or rather forum is badass. So many good people and great advice. I’m telling you it’s like being in the cool kids club.
I'm sure it's just a combination of being set up low in Japan as Roger stated and the long travel to the US. I'll bet it just needs the truss rod adjusted more than you think. If the neck isn't adjusted right, you'll never get a proper setup no matter what you do at the bridge.
As Roger advised, always start with the neck..
 
Man, I would really consider letting Roger's shop set up that bass for you! My Satin that Roger set up is absolutely perfect playing, I only have to adjust the neck with a small truss wheel turn every so often. It's worth the trip.
Agreed. As long as ypu’re not changing string gauges/tapercore/etc... i got one of my Laklands set up by Carl Pedigo about 2 years ago, and I just need to tweak the neck every now and then and it plays like butter...

Also, check your email- 20% off neo straps from Sadowsky.com... my favorite strap, and I needed another one anyways, so....
7B6FE7FF-4E19-4AF9-BEFF-99E747918B55.jpeg
 
Agreed. As long as ypu’re not changing string gauges/tapercore/etc... i got one of my Laklands set up by Carl Pedigo about 2 years ago, and I just need to tweak the neck every now and then and it plays like butter...

Also, check your email- 20% off neo straps from Sadowsky.com... my favorite strap, and I needed another one anyways, so....
View attachment 3119891

Well it seems like it came tuned to standard E. I’m gonna need it to go to C tuning so yeah I’m gonna have to bring it in.