• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

NBD: 2008 AmStd Jazz V - Anticipointment

D

dlstyley

Aug 30, 2009
46
9
South Texas
#1
2008 Fender American Standard Jazz V

New bass days are supposed to be glorious days of kick-ass thumping. Unfortunately that was not the case for my NBD.

OK... I admit it started out on shaky ground that was self-imposed - I ordered from eBay. :rollno: I was looking for a specific model and color, and gas got the better of me. In my defense, the bass looked great and the description said "Excellent" and "Like New". :hmm: I had played multiple post-2008 American Standard Jazz V's and was very impressed with the B on all of them, so I had hoped this would be no different.

So the UPS man drops it off and I have the box shredded open in 8 seconds flat. Packing isn't over the top (like I would do), but seems adequate given the bass is in one of the cool new Fender cases.

I run it up to my studio and plug it in. Bleaaaaah! The B string is total flab. Upon closer inspection, two of the spring tensioners on the saddle adjustments are missing. Also, someone obviously switched the saddles between the B and the D strings, as the D is supposed to have four slots and the B three (perhaps trying to resolve the flab :rolleyes:). Also, the string trees are only screwed in part-way into the headstock and the retaining nuts that secure the tuning machines are lose on two of the strings.

41f458ec.jpg


So I tear it complete down. As I'm doing this, I noticed the shoddy stringing job (4 wraps on the G, 3/4 wrap on the B). Also, the nut slot for the D string is so tight I can barely get the string out of the slot, and the slots themselves, well the cuts don't seem very clean.

1d81df04.jpg


7cbd0594.jpg


I put everything where it is supposed to go (minus the missing springs) and tighten everything back up. Thppppppppppt. Still flab on the B.

Well... it sure looks cool..... :bawl:

I then go through a basic setup - tune, intonate, neck relief, saddle height. I'm certainly no expert, but I think the process is pretty straightforward.

The good news is that the B doesn't seem nearly as floppy now (or am I just getting used to it?). The bad news is that it is still a tad floppy and I'm getting some odd overtones/oscillation the farther up on the B I go. I have lowered the pickups to the extreme and still hear it. Bear in mind that this is my first 5-string, so maybe I'm just not used to them, but I think I've played enough to get some idea of what good ones sound like...

So I guess next step is a new set of strings. That will resolve the crappy 3/4-turn-on-the-B stringing job. I've also read people seem to like the stock Fender strings on these basses. Hopefully that will help. Unfortunately I have to wait until those arrive via UPS - the few music store we have are doing good to have a single 5-string set in stock.

Any other suggestions (besides the obvious - "don't use eBay eBay")? Should I go through trying to return something via eBay, or is that a dead end? Is it hopeless, or does it just need new strings and a professional setup? If it can be fixed for minimal money, I'd love to keep the bass. It doesn't appear that there is anything structurally wrong with it. The tone of the other 4 strings is excellent and it's beautiful (the pics don't do it justice at all).

What to do....?
 
#2
take it to a pro for a setup....and new strings (maybe a new nut too). Have the tech go through it and make sure nothing is wanky on it. When I got my PV, there seemed to be a high fret at the end of the board, but with a proper neck adjustment and saddle adjustment, all was right as rain. My AM Std JV and PV have fantastic B strings. I just tracked an 6 hr session on Wed. with my PV and got nothing but positive responses on it.

note: I only use D'addario XL nickle strings on my basses and string both top loaded too. I don't use tapered strings on any of my basses and never have had problems with overtones. That's just what I do, and I'm sure somebody is gonna tear me a new one and tell me I'm wrong, but that's been working for me for the last 5 years.
 
#7
all of my Fender 5 basses have been outfitted with badass bridges except for the Marcus Miller series. the increased mass and top loaded works best for me. I never string through the body.
almost all of my fenders required new nuts cut to meet my picky standards to ensure equi-distance spacing string-to-string between each string.
Fenders are not know for extremely tight sounding B strings so you may have to adjust you touch, your ear or both.
no matter what you buy each bass has strength and weaknesses.
 
#9
i have an '10 jazz bass v. i use the stock fender strings on it, through the body. i think it sounds great. a tapered string can cause overtones. i never use them. fender used to use tapered strings stock on the b and e string. now they are all nontapered. i cant remember the product #, but it is listed on there web site. i used a wireless last night at the gig and went out front and i have to say that for a 34" scale that b string sounded great on it. i think to the op, a new set of strings will go a long way. have a luthier check the nut, it may be alright. as for the condition, i am sorry it didn't come as expected. that is a bummer! hopefully you can get this bass up and going as expected. these new fenders are really awesome. i dont see myself playing anything else for a long while.
 
#10
Def +1 for new strings. When I bought my Spector used the tapered B sounded like farts in the bathtub. New XL's and now we're in growl country.

Too bad about the rest. Looks like some ham fisted amateur did some meddling....

If you go with non tapered strings make sure to give the B and E a little push at the point where they come over the saddles. Almost putting a mild kink in the strings. Don't ask me why but this takes alot of the overtones out and cleans up the tubbiness.

Also keep in mind that on most 34" scale fivers (NOT ALL! before I'm attacked) only sound good up until F or so IMO.
 
#11
Try a set of new strings. I recommend Dean Markley Blue Steels, DR Lo Riders, D'Addario Prosteels, etc.

Also the pickups can make a big difference on this. I have upgraded Nordstrand noiseless pickups and the B string is killer on my 2008 Fender American Standard Jazz 5.

The setup makes a difference as well. One big difference from Fender compared to higher end basses is that Fender doesn't set their basses up very well from the factory.

Also a flabby B string can be resolved with the addition of a Hipshot string retainer on the B and E strings. I installed one on my bass and now the B string is super tight and defined.
 
#12
Thanks for all the responses. Next step is definitely new strings. As soon as they arrive, I'll report back the results.

Also, any ideas on where to get the springs my bridge is missing? I know they aren't critical. Mainly just help keep the saddles from flopping around while changing strings, but given that I anticipate a lot of tweaking in the near future, it might be nice to replace them.
 
#13
dlstyley said:
Thanks for all the responses. Next step is definitely new strings. As soon as they arrive, I'll report back the results.

Also, any ideas on where to get the springs my bridge is missing? I know they aren't critical. Mainly just help keep the saddles from flopping around while changing strings, but given that I anticipate a lot of tweaking in the near future, it might be nice to replace them.
Click to expand...

probably any fender dealer can get them for you.
 
#14
let me start by saying I KNOW ITS NOT SUPPOSED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE but I added a string retainer to the B and E string on my J V and it does feels a bit better, maybe it's mental but who cares:spit::D. I still think the B is a little floppy, but being this is the only V'r I've ever really spent time w/ I dont have much to base it off of . . .

here's a pic:

l_2dbe7ccf722d166c94eb8c6636473cd1.png


sucks about the ebay deal ... I feel I'm becoming complacent because I've had good dealings - reading this is a good warning
 
#15
...I'm sorry to hear that Op and feel your pain. There is a sure fire fix to your problem. If you don't slap a whole lot (though with this recommendation these strings are so bright you can get by without rounds-tonewise) I'd strongly recommend Rotosound flatts. They are so 'stiff' they will require a neck adjustment. You will not be disappointed particularly the B. They are a bit pricey and usually they're a special order/most folks don't stock'em.

I still have a 2007 J-5 set-up with them.
 
#17
TAPER CORE STRINGS.

I have adored Ken Smith Tapercore strings for 10 years now and they make the biggest difference in tone, sustain, feel, etc. for the least amount of cash.

Non-tapered B strings are useless, as far as I am concerned. Flub City.
 
#18
dlstyley said:
Thanks for all the responses. Next step is definitely new strings. As soon as they arrive, I'll report back the results.

Also, any ideas on where to get the springs my bridge is missing? I know they aren't critical. Mainly just help keep the saddles from flopping around while changing strings, but given that I anticipate a lot of tweaking in the near future, it might be nice to replace them.
Click to expand...

I'd ask the eBay seller if he has them. The bass has obviously had some disassembly done, I'd hope that he was the one who did it, and he has the "extra" parts. "Like New" implies that all the parts are there, certainly.

Roger
 
#20
I've had mixed results with Fender.

Oddly enough, both MIA fenders I've had....both had fairly lame low Bs.
Nothing really seemed to fix it. I tried strings, different setups, etc....

Even more strange....the MIM Jazz V I picked up recently has a very solid low B? go figure.
It's got standard D'Addario strings too. :confused:


Sometimes I wonder if it's the tightness, perceived tightness, amplified tightness, or string to string balance that we mostly look for in a low B?
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back