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High action on a MIJ Fender JB75 reissue.

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pitchpocket

Feb 17, 2012
14
0
#1
I'm the proud owner of a natural MIJ Fender JB75 reissue with maple neck and mop inlays in almost perfect condition. I like the bass except for the high action. Truss rod works, but there is a relief to the neck that just won't come out. Talented authorized Fender service guy did the best he could and has the action within bounds, but it's on the high side and too high for me.

I'm hoping I can get some advise here about the best course of action. I'm a guitar player trying to get a decent jazz bass for my home studio. Can I get a replacement neck to match? Maybe swap out to a rosewood neck? Should I just sell it and move on?
 
#2
You need to determine what is causing the high action. I would remove the strings and loosen the truss rod and check the straightness ( with a straightedge) of the neck when not under tension. If the neck is fairly straight, tighten the truss rod nut until you can see some movement, that will tell you if the truss rod is working. Tighten the nut until you have a very slight reverse bow. While tightening, put hand pressure on the neck to help the rod tighten. If you achieve this, I would say the neck is OK and the truss rod is OK. Restring the bass to proper tension and measure the relief, if none, loosen the nut until you have about .012" (.3mm) at the 8th fret. Then set your saddle height for the desired string height.
Rocky
 
#3
Thanks for your reply. Problem is the neck is not straight. The truss rod has been fully adjusted but there is still too much relief. My luthier said that if I want lower action I should replace the neck as it can't be adjusted further.
 
#4
I have the same JB75 (CIJ), and have had no problems adjusting the “bullet” truss rod nut and bridge to get the action exactly where I want it. The technique that Rocky McD detailed is pretty much how I approach my set-ups.

IMHO, the craftsmanship on MIJs/CIJs has always been excellent, so I’m very curious why the neck on your bass isn’t true. Warpage, twisting or other damage is always possible with any neck. But if an authorized Fender service tech is telling you there’s nothing more to be done with the current neck to achieve the guitar-like action you’re seeking, I’d tend to believe him.

Bear in mind that due to the 34-inch scale of a Fender Jazz and heavier string gauges, you’re unlikely to ever achieve the sort of action on the JB75 that’s obtainable on, say, a 25.5-inch scale Fender Stratocaster. In that an electric bass and an electric guitar are different animals, it can be difficult for some guitarists to transition to playing bass. Some short-scale basses are more comfortable for guitarists to play.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do.
 
#7
My luthier (authorized Fender factory service) said it was the worst neck he'd ever seen on a bass. He worked on it for quite a while and got it within bounds and it played ok, but it was at the maximum adjustment available and still not quite right. The truss rod just wasn't strong enough to take out the bow to get it flat.

Still, it is a beautiful instrument. I offered it on CL locally and first guy out bought it saying he liked a little higher action. He got a great price and I didn't get hurt. Now I'm looking for another JB.
 
#8
pitchpocket said:
My luthier (authorized Fender factory service) said it was the worst neck he'd ever seen on a bass. He worked on it for quite a while and got it within bounds and it played ok, but it was at the maximum adjustment available and still not quite right. The truss rod just wasn't strong enough to take out the bow to get it flat.

Still, it is a beautiful instrument. I offered it on CL locally and first guy out bought it saying he liked a little higher action. He got a great price and I didn't get hurt. Now I'm looking for another JB.
Click to expand...

:crying:

I have the same bass...

You should have keep it and swapped the neck for a rosewood block n bound allparts neck....
 
#11
Spirit of Ox said:
Have you tried lighter strings? The problem with some J bass necks is that they are to thin and sometimes the truss rod can't flatten them. This happens more on the cheaper ones.
Click to expand...

It happens on my American Deluxe. Don't know if it a cheaper one :smug:.

I now use 40-100 Chromes instead of the 47-107 Dean Markley SR2000 that I had before. Neck is straight now...
 

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