Geddy Lee Jazz Bass - Spaghetti Neck-itis

[frnzk]

Anyone else with this problem? I have a 4 year old Geddy Lee Jazz Bass, MIJ, and it sounds great (bright, punchy, and I love that)

...BUT...

The neck won't settle in. I've had to adjust the truss rod multiple times because it goes into bow-and-arrow mode after a few months.

Anyone else have this problem? And, if there are any suggestions/remedies, please post 'em!

Thanks in advance!

 

[Nobody]

Geddy's bass goes into snakes and arrows mode.

 

[faulknersj]

Could be a bad neck. If you take the bass to a local authorized Fender Dealer, they may be able to have it replaced by Fender at no charge (if you have the receipt). Sudden temperature changes can contribute the such issues as well.

 

[Nev375]

That's a common problem with the Geddy Lee bass. Thin necks are cool, but they come at a price of instability.

Physics. It's not a suggestion, it's the LAW.

 

[plangentmusic]

That's a common problem with the Geddy Lee bass. Thin necks are cool, but they come at a price of instability.

Physics. It's not a suggestion, it's the LAW.

Mmmm, I've had thin necks that have been fine and thick necks that weren't. Some wood is just more suseptable to instability for a variety of reasons.

 

[Nev375]

Mmmm, I've had thin necks that have been fine and thick necks that weren't. Some wood is just more suseptable to instability for a variety of reasons.

That is very true. The cut and quality of the wood is a major factor.

However, any given piece of wood will be stronger if it is left thicker than shaved down.

 

[BassyBill]

That's a common problem with the Geddy Lee bass. Thin necks are cool, but they come at a price of instability.

Physics. It's not a suggestion, it's the LAW.

Yeah - stability of a neck is not just down to thickness. The most unstable neck I have is on my Rick, and that''s like a baseball bat compared to some others. My Geddy neck is really pretty stable.

Physics is THE LAW - but sometimes it's a little counterintuitive.

 

[BassyBill]

Anyway, when you do get a bass with a twitchy neck you'll usually find it's a seasonal thing. Just be prepared to tweak the truss rod twice a year or so, and you'll be all set.

 

[frnzk]

I know if you keep workin' the wood (doesn't that sound wrong?) - i.e.: tweaking the truss rod, re-stringing, etc. EVENTUALLY it should settle in. But this one's been a particular challenge. I'm bummed!

 

[pyrohr]

What gauge strings are you using? I find anything over a med light set will give the neck problems. My Geddy wears nothing but 100,80,60,40's Also do not change string brands often as this will also give you the problems you are experiencing. My Geddy stays on a stand and not in a case, I use one type of string on it and I live where climate wreaks havoc on basses and I do have to make slight adjustments every once in awhile but not as much as when I started to do the things I mentioned here.

 

[pringlw]

I had the same problem with my old Geddy. Nothing that a truss rod adjustment can't fix - but if I remember correctly, adjusting the truss on a Geddy is a PITA.

 

[Cycho]

I've been playing my Geddy for four years now and never needed a truss rod adjustment.

 

[chrisrusty99]

Strange - I have a Geddy Lee bass and I haven't had to adjust the neck in over a year in a half... (I live in Minnesota too :O )

 

[pyrohr]

Strange - I have a Geddy Lee bass and I haven't had to adjust the neck in over a year in a half... (I live in Minnesota too :O )

The neck gives problems when it goes through climate extremes like cool to humid heat and so on. If you live in a cold climate and your bass is indoors where the temperature stays pretty much the same you will be fine. The same if your in a warm climate.

 

[chrisrusty99]

The neck gives problems when it goes through climate extremes like cool to humid heat and so on. If you live in a cold climate and your bass is indoors where the temperature stays pretty much the same you will be fine. The same if your in a warm climate.

Yeah I understand that but there are also big differences in humidity when it is winter time vs when it's summer - some people have said that humidity affects their neck.

 

[frnzk]

I'm using guages 105, 85, 70, 50 - I like that range, feels good for finger-style here, but I guess I could go one lighter, and see if that works out.

I hope I just don't have a bad piece of wood. Bummer!

 

[cassius987]

Try 45-60-80-105 and see what you think... about 40 lbs tension per string in the case of most brands.

 

[hinklegm]

I lol'd at the snakes & arrows mode.

 

[joelb79]

Funny.. I just popped my Geddy Lee neck on my Precision body, now I got what looks like a 57 w/ a 75 neck. Never had a problem with this neck except adjusting it is a PITA as mentioned above, but this is a Fender thing. Mine is a CIJ 07 neck, painted not bound. The actual bound ones I hear had more problems than the newer ones as the thin neck + the binding made for a super unstable neck. Painting cured this problem but the mentioned issues with cold to warm and humid to dry will wear out any piece of maple over time because of its ability to absorb moisture.

 

[By-Tor1000RR]

I Use D'Addario XL170's which are 45-65-80-100. I actually use these on all eight of my basses and have been using them since I started playing bass 20+ years ago. I have only adjusted my neck once in the four years that I've owned it and that was the day I brought it home and set it up to my liking. The original owner was just learning to play bass and had a poor setup on the bass. I've found the neck on mine to be very stable. I am very careful to keep my basses at a consistent temperature and I don't leave them in a warm or cold car any longer than the ride to and from my destination.