How much play does the bridge give you side to side?
(On my Fenders I've got the old-school bridge that has those screw threads so each string can be micro-adjusted to where I like it on the fretboard.)
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neck/body alignment on fender basses
- Thread starter plorenzo
- Start date
How much play does the bridge give you side to side?
(On my Fenders I've got the old-school bridge that has those screw threads so each string can be micro-adjusted to where I like it on the fretboard.)
Most photographs are taken at a slight angle, and thus the strings can appear to be more to one side than they really are.
If your bass looks exactly like the photo you supplied, then there are no building issues. None. At all. Your bass is fine. You're nitpicking something that does not exist.
And to be completely frank, you're going to make a fool out of yourself if you take a perfectly good Fender bass into a technician and ask him to adjust it just so that the strings sit perfectly in between the pole pieces when there aren't any real string spacing issues. Did you buy the bass for playability, or to satisfy some perfectionist collector's ideal of what a bass should look like?
Without coming at ya, or anyone.....
I'll always allow the possibility that a new, mass produced bass will need a trip to a Luthier. Period.
As of right now I don't have any high end instruments, or middle of the road, price wise. But 2 of my SX necks were done and I do not regret it and think the basses are still a bargain!
Now if you said you just received your bass from custom builder X and you had set up issues, that would be a story. Ifin I spend 2 G's+ on a bass, that sucker better be spot on!
But with mass produced basses, from any manufacturer, well....that is why one is wise to inspect and play every bass before buying, or expect the possible trip to the luthier or possible return of said bass.
I did however spring for a pro level setup with my T 40 when it was new. Best damn investment I have ever made.
And I agree with other posts, how does it play? If it plays well and does not give you any hassles, whats the issue? And many basses don't have the strings centered over the posts. If this really bothers you, get a bass with soap bar pickups or with pup covers that also hide the posts.
I'll always allow the possibility that a new, mass produced bass will need a trip to a Luthier. Period.
As of right now I don't have any high end instruments, or middle of the road, price wise. But 2 of my SX necks were done and I do not regret it and think the basses are still a bargain!
Now if you said you just received your bass from custom builder X and you had set up issues, that would be a story. Ifin I spend 2 G's+ on a bass, that sucker better be spot on!
But with mass produced basses, from any manufacturer, well....that is why one is wise to inspect and play every bass before buying, or expect the possible trip to the luthier or possible return of said bass.
I did however spring for a pro level setup with my T 40 when it was new. Best damn investment I have ever made.
And I agree with other posts, how does it play? If it plays well and does not give you any hassles, whats the issue? And many basses don't have the strings centered over the posts. If this really bothers you, get a bass with soap bar pickups or with pup covers that also hide the posts.
If the bass plays and sounds good, it's okay.
I am upset because I owned many basses, all of them were cheaper than this fender, but all of them showed better construction and quality control. I expected a bit more of care in the build of an american made bass. Maybe it's just me...
Anyway, I found out that the neck pickup is not centered. It is shifted 2mm to the bass side, compared to the bridge one which is in-axis with the bridge.. Is this the same on your jazz basses?
Every Fender bass is cut with the same machines at the factory so there shouldn't be any real variance. The holes are pre-drilled, the routing is all the same, etc. Because the product is made of wood there can be subtle differences but nothing major. So my guess is yours is probably virtually identical to every other Jazz out there and simply needs a good set up.
well, the pickup needs to be moved at least 1mm towards the treble side...
and the only way to align body and neck is to sand the neck pocket, it's pretty tight and I cannot move the neck loosening the screws.
I am not sure you can consider this part of a normal setup for a new bass...
I was happy because when I first tried this bass in the shop it seemed different (better built) from the older american series that showed poor quality and lack of quality control.
before buying this bass, I NEVER considered buying a fender... (because of the poor craftmanship versus the rather high price) from now on, I would never consider buying another one.
and the only way to align body and neck is to sand the neck pocket, it's pretty tight and I cannot move the neck loosening the screws.
I am not sure you can consider this part of a normal setup for a new bass...
I was happy because when I first tried this bass in the shop it seemed different (better built) from the older american series that showed poor quality and lack of quality control.
before buying this bass, I NEVER considered buying a fender... (because of the poor craftmanship versus the rather high price) from now on, I would never consider buying another one.
This issue (poor string alignment over the neck and pickups) is a big pet peeve of mine, and it's one of the very first things I check when looking at a bass. It doesn't have to be perfect for me, but I certainly don't want one that's so bad that the strings are going off of the side of the neck. If yours is like the one in the picture you linked to, then it still looks very playable to me (though it does look a bit off).
