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Ibanez help....Neck relief is not very even...

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by Outlaws, Jul 10, 2013.

  1. Jul 10, 2013 #1
    Outlaws

    Outlaws

    Jul 4, 2013
    I have setup my share of 6 string guitars, but this is my first bass setup. its a 4 string ibanez sr600. picked it up used last week.


    ibanez with factory specs using .045-.105 strings says the neck relief should be between .3mm-.5mm at the 8th fret with the first fret fretted and fret at the body.

    it took about a half a turn to loosen the truss rod and get my feeler gauge for E about .457mm (.018in feeler). however the G is between .813mm and .889mm. ?!?! I have never seen that sort of variation. is this a bass thing?

    EDIT:
    I put the E to right about .3mm and the G is kissing the .65mm but clearing the .75mm gauge. it just seems excessive.
     
  2. Jul 11, 2013 #2
    Solarmist

    Solarmist

    Jul 24, 2007
    near Mt. Rainier
    I have the same bass, and setting relief is pretty easy.

    The method you're using is correct by depressing the 1st & last frets similtaineously (which creates a straightedge at fret level), and checking the clearance at the 8/9th fret.
    .012 is ideal, but a smidge more is fine.

    I always use the G string to set relief, because buzz from the G/D strings sounds a lot worse than A/E, and I'm not sure why the upper strings have a tad bit more clearance than the lowers other than there's more tension on the upper strings which may very slightly twist the neck - not quite sure.
     
  3. Jul 11, 2013 #3
    Outlaws

    Outlaws

    Jul 4, 2013
    well I went in and returned the guitar. it was an as is sale but they let me. I had the truss rod totally straight on the bass strings and the treble was still bowed and then leveling off at the body. one guy thought it played fine.... :|

    I got a new SR700 instead. felt better than their SR1200 even, granted the setup was out of sack with reverse bowing on the 1200.

    so since I was crazy and it was in my head immediately took to setting up this one.

    both the E and G are right about .45mm at the 8th fret. ...w/ 1st and 19th fretted. the action is 9/64th on E and 8/64th on G. when I get a 1.5mm Allen I will lower it a hair.


    but please give your opinion on this bow. this is NOT the original bass from the first post, this is what I got instead. this IMO looks good, but they thought it should be flatter. I am not a seasoned bass player, but it plays even better than in the store now IMO.
     

    Attached Files:

  4. Jul 11, 2013 #4
    BGF

    BGF

    Aug 30, 2012
    Looks good on both sides. If it feels good and sounds right, keep it as is. :bassist:
     
  5. Jul 11, 2013 #5
    Solarmist

    Solarmist

    Jul 24, 2007
    near Mt. Rainier
    Well problem solved - congrats on the new SR700 - they're fantastic basses. I recently purchased an SR705 that I just love.
     
  6. Jul 11, 2013 #6
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    Relief looks a bit excessive to me. How does it measure out with the feeler gauges?

    Riis
     
  7. Jul 11, 2013 #7
    Solarmist

    Solarmist

    Jul 24, 2007
    near Mt. Rainier
    ^ Yeah - after looking at the pics - it does look excessive, but an easy fix.
     
  8. Jul 11, 2013 #8
    Outlaws

    Outlaws

    Jul 4, 2013
    .45mm (.018"). ibanez says .3-.5mm

    if I go closer to .3mm (.012") I will start to get more buzz I think. do most basses buzz a decent amount just because of the string size/vibration area.
     
  9. Jul 12, 2013 #9
    Zooberwerx

    Zooberwerx Gold Supporting Member

    Dec 21, 2002
    Virginia Beach, VA
    May require you to adjust the string height a smidgen. If you are particularly ham-handed or dig in like you're fingering a longbow, there's a good chance you'll stir up some fretboard noise irrespective of the set-up.

    Riis
     
  10. Jul 12, 2013 #10
    MrBKerth

    MrBKerth The Gypsy Bravado

    Apr 20, 2013
    Texas
    One issue I had with my sr700 was a twist in the neck. The E string side is twisting up and sounds twice as loud as the other songs at similar height. What I did is but a 2011 oly white mia jazz. Not bashing the 700 because I dug the sound but the quality on mine was bunk.
     
  11. Jul 12, 2013 #11
    Outlaws

    Outlaws

    Jul 4, 2013
    well I walked in with a 6" ruler and feeler gauges. I wonder how many people they see doing that before buying. :D
     
  12. Jul 13, 2013 #12
    henry2513

    henry2513 Supporting Member

    May 9, 2011
    Los Angeles, Ca
    If you're restricting yourself to manufacturers specs you're potentially missing out on a very fine playing instrument.
     
  13. Jul 13, 2013 #13
    Outlaws

    Outlaws

    Jul 4, 2013
    ...and if you are not you could be getting a twisted neck....as I did at first. i have never run into a twisted neck before, so it caught me offguard.

    nothing says you cannot tweak things to your liking, but from 20 years of playing 6 string I find manufacturers specs a good starting point for the setup.

    but to be honest, I had the stuff with me to prevent them from arguing something wasn't there that was.