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Intonation on a Jazz Bass; saddle spring question.

K

kbi the crowing

Dec 22, 2010
117
0
Rochester, NY
#1
I tried adjusting the intonation on my jazz bass last night and I found my E string to be pretty sharp. So I eventually moved the saddle all the way back so the spring behind the saddle was completely compressed, but the string is still slightly sharp.

Should I remove the spring or replace it with a smaller spring? Should I adjust the truss rod at all?

Thank you :)
 
#4
kbi the crowing said:
By just eyeballing it, it seems to bow forward just slightly.
Click to expand...

kbi, the neck (almost always) needs a little bit of relief to compensate for string vibration, although some basses play just fine with a straight neck. There is an "ultimate bass setup guide" that you can download for free; search for Jerzy Drozd or something like that. It will give a good starting point and you can tweak from there.

Intonation. Spring is not necessary, but you can always find a shorter spring or cut the existing one. Still problems? Ensure that the bridge is at the right distance from the nut according to your bass' scale. Still problems? Ensure strings are properly seated at the nut and bridge saddles, and ensure you press down on the string just in front of the saddle to ensure string's correct angle.

Still problems? Has this happened with ALL strings or just with this set?.

Hope this helps.
 
#5
Forward? ........ You can tighten and loosen the truss while the strings are to pitch and never turn more than a quarter turn, right to tight, left to loosen. Tightening pushes the headstock away from the body. ..... Make sure the battery in the turner is good, bad batteries do weird things. ..... By tightening the bridge length adjustment screw you drop down the intonation. By loosening it off you make it sharper. .... That's why string lengths on basses are longer than guitars.
 
#6
PrietoBass said:
Intonation. Spring is not necessary, but you can always find a shorter spring or cut the existing one.

Still problems? Has this happened with ALL strings or just with this set?.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

Never thought of cutting the spring, that's a great idea. Don't have to take off the strings that way. & I've only replaced the strings once, so not much to go off of on that front. I did go from rounds to flats and the gauge may have been different. So yeah.

Thanks man.
 
#7
I would cut the spring not remove it, they are needed to keep tension on the screw to keep the saddle in place. Just how much relief in the neck is a personal choice, I don't like a lot. I am in Rochester and I do repairs and set ups If you want I can take a look at the bass for you.
 
#8
godofthunder59 said:
I would cut the spring not remove it, they are needed to keep tension on the screw to keep the saddle in place. Just how much relief in the neck is a personal choice, I don't like a lot. I am in Rochester and I do repairs and set ups If you want I can take a look at the bass for you.
Click to expand...

The tension of the string keeps the saddle forward. That tiny spring only keeps the saddle in place when restringing.
 
#10
PrietoBass said:
kbi, the neck (almost always) needs a little bit of relief to compensate for string vibration, although some basses play just fine with a straight neck. There is an "ultimate bass setup guide" that you can download for free; search for Jerzy Drozd or something like that. It will give a good starting point and you can tweak from there.

Intonation. Spring is not necessary, but you can always find a shorter spring or cut the existing one. Still problems? Ensure that the bridge is at the right distance from the nut according to your bass' scale. Still problems? Ensure strings are properly seated at the nut and bridge saddles, and ensure you press down on the string just in front of the saddle to ensure string's correct angle.

Still problems? Has this happened with ALL strings or just with this set?.

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...
Let me add to this good advice. Do Not allow the head of the bass to touch anything while tuning, adjusting relief or intonation. The weight of the bass will shorten the strings until you pick it up. Everything then goes slightly sharp & relief gets slightly shallower. FWIW, I make these adjustments while wearing the bass on a shoulder strap. 8-)

These might interest you, too;
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
 
#12
251 said:
Let me add to this good advice. Do Not allow the head of the bass to touch anything while tuning, adjusting relief or intonation. The weight of the bass will shorten the strings until you pick it up. Everything then goes slightly sharp & relief gets slightly shallower. FWIW, I make these adjustments while wearing the bass on a shoulder strap. 8-)

These might interest you, too;
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
Click to expand...

Always have your bass in "playing" position when checking intonation!! Even the weight of the neck can throw it off a little bit.
 
#13
godofthunder59 said:
I would cut the spring not remove it, they are needed to keep tension on the screw to keep the saddle in place. Just how much relief in the neck is a personal choice, I don't like a lot. I am in Rochester and I do repairs and set ups If you want I can take a look at the bass for you.
Click to expand...

Bitterdale said:
The tension of the string keeps the saddle forward. That tiny spring only keeps the saddle in place when restringing.
Click to expand...

godofthunder59 said:
It also keeps it in place while playing.
Click to expand...

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/rattling-bridge-springs-christmas-rant-cameron-hood-387114/

Cheers,
Cameron
 
#14
Hey, godofthunder59 & kbi the crowing! I see you're in Rochester! I used to live there for many years. My kids grew up there (oldest is now in college), attended Indian Landing and Bay Trail, then we homeschooled. Great memories!

Regarding the spring... on my 4 string I have a BA-II and intonation has never been a problem on that one with the BA-II. On my 5 string I have a Babicz Full Contact Bridge; on that one I had to cut to spring so the B-string saddle could move far enough for intonation. I say it's not needed because (in my case) each saddle has an intonation set screw that prevents the saddle from moving once set.

I suspect the angle of the string over the saddle would try to push the saddle away from the bridge once in tune and therefore I believe the spring is not as critical (the screw keeps the saddle in place)... but since there are variations in bridge design, etc, my assumptions may be wrong.

Just to be sure, shorten the spring or put a shorter spring and you should be fine.

It's not rocket science... if it sounds good, and stays sounding good, then it is good!!!! :bassist:
 
#16
PrietoBass said:
Hey, godofthunder59 & kbi the crowing! I see you're in Rochester! I used to live there for many years. My kids grew up there (oldest is now in college), attended Indian Landing and Bay Trail, then we homeschooled. Great memories!

Regarding the spring... on my 4 string I have a BA-II and intonation has never been a problem on that one with the BA-II. On my 5 string I have a Babicz Full Contact Bridge; on that one I had to cut to spring so the B-string saddle could move far enough for intonation. I say it's not needed because (in my case) each saddle has an intonation set screw that prevents the saddle from moving once set.

I suspect the angle of the string over the saddle would try to push the saddle away from the bridge once in tune and therefore I believe the spring is not as critical (the screw keeps the saddle in place)... but since there are variations in bridge design, etc, my assumptions may be wrong.

Just to be sure, shorten the spring or put a shorter spring and you should be fine.

It's not rocket science... if it sounds good, and stays sounding good, then it is good!!!! :bassist:
Click to expand...

Born and raised in Irondeqouit, went to college moved away and came back got married lived in Chili for 15 years and just moved back to Irondeqouit. I love it no place i'd rather be. Besides I am about three min. from the House of Guitars :)
 
#17
godofthunder59 said:
Born and raised in Irondeqouit, went to college moved away and came back got married lived in Chili for 15 years and just moved back to Irondeqouit. I love it no place i'd rather be. Besides I am about three min. from the House of Guitars :)
Click to expand...

Wow! I'm currently in Jacksonville. I miss summer and fall up there, even the snow (although I couldn't care less for all the salt they put down on the roads). My wife and I talk about the possibility of moving back after retirement. People down here think we're crazy, but I'm just in love with the area.

Lucky you being so close to HOG too! :hyper:
 
#18
It is a beautiful area! am growing tired of the winter and the economy is less than booming but you can find a nice neighborhood and a nice house, good schools and not spend a ton. I worked on and off at the HOG from '76-'86 and still maintain a biz relation ship with the boys.
 

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