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Need Advice: Ibanez SR-305 DX neck problems
- Thread starter stubbsonic
- Start date
We (myself, and the shop) did put varying amounts of relief on it-- which changed it slightly, but not significantly.
If it's buzzing when open, that virtually takes the fret "health" out of the equation. IOW, appears you have some other issue in-play.
Riis
Is that a matter of the neck being so far out of shape that leveling frets won't fix it?
It's at the second shop now, but I haven't heard back yet with an estimate or different prognosis. I will post when I get the 2nd shop's opinion.
If the repair is more in the neighborhood of $400, then perhaps I could at least recoup that if I later decide to sell it.
Not enough info at the moment. As mentioned, if the string is buzzing open with a quasi-normal set-up, I don't think the frets come into play. If you had it back in your hands, I / we could run you thru some simple diagnostics that may shed addt'l light and assist in ID'ing the culprit.
Riis
Buzz only happens when playing louder/harder (like forte and above). The buzz is mostly on the first string, and goes from open thru the 5th fret, then cleans up until it re-appears around the 12 & 13 frets. The second string has it to a lesser degree, on some of the lower frets, and on a few different frets as it goes up above 9th fret, IIRC.
1st = G string, correct? Just making sure. Again, the open string buzz can't possibly be fret-induced but can be caused by an irregularity in the balance of the set-up. Let me re-word that: an open string should ring clearly with a proper set-up. If it's buzzing against a fret, we've got a nut slot, relief, or string height issue.
Riis
Yes, 1st str (G). Another note was that the buzz with the lower frets had a little "latency", in other words, it would sort of happen slightly after the attack, which made the first tech think the buzz was occurring on higher frets. I think the neck/fingerboard may have one or two slight bumps on it, perhaps one around the 5th fret, and another around the 12th fret (?)
Each bump on its own is hard to see, but it is possible that together, they cause some fret(s) to be too close to the string.
The 1st tech was asking "If we try to address the neck irregularities by leveling frets, will you have enough fret left?".
Each bump on its own is hard to see, but it is possible that together, they cause some fret(s) to be too close to the string.
The 1st tech was asking "If we try to address the neck irregularities by leveling frets, will you have enough fret left?".
I'm not convinced as we haven't ruled-out the simple prerequisite stuff first as I've suggested. I have no faith in a tech who suggests an $800 fret level...I don't trust a lot of techs and for good reason.
You now have it at a second shop...let's see what they say.
Riis
It was $700-800 for a full fret replacement (not fret leveling). I think "refret" must be a term used for both.
The 2nd shop has said $450 for "dress, crown" also he said "remove the neck level it crown and polish it". I'm leaning toward giving the green light.
Still too much even for Colorado. For that kind of jack, you can buy a brand new bass.
What town? We've got a couple of Coloradans here on TB who may be able to steer you in a better direction.
Riis
I'm near Boulder, so overheads are higher.
I know I can get a bass for that amount. But as I mentioned, this is bass is pretty hotrodded. And the bass I'd want to replace it is way more. I think $450 was the "max" but the language was a little unclear.
I know I can get a bass for that amount. But as I mentioned, this is bass is pretty hotrodded. And the bass I'd want to replace it is way more. I think $450 was the "max" but the language was a little unclear.
Just out of curiosity, when a shop does a full refret (fret replacment), do they include making sure the neck & fingerboard are properly shaped (i.e. deal with lumps, twists, etc.) before they put new frets on?
Check out Jensen Guitars in Longmont CO
Refret $15 per fret plus fret level $95-200
Planing the neck $75
You’ll probably be in the $450-475
Your bass is listed used on Reverb for $189 … buy it and switch out the parts
Refret $15 per fret plus fret level $95-200
Planing the neck $75
You’ll probably be in the $450-475
Your bass is listed used on Reverb for $189 … buy it and switch out the parts
even if you got a setup that's perfect for you, a setup isn't a forever thing. if you have strings with higher or lower tension or have temperature changes where you live, wood can shift - check your action and neck relief. check for high frets, too, if it's always had some buzz. a high fret along with a change in relief or action could explain why there's more buzzing.
also check the tuning pegs to make sure they're still tight. i had an ibanez mikro buzz like crazy, and it turned out the screw in one of the the tuner had come loose. that's happened to me with other basses - ibanez and not - but usually when they were new.
also check the tuning pegs to make sure they're still tight. i had an ibanez mikro buzz like crazy, and it turned out the screw in one of the the tuner had come loose. that's happened to me with other basses - ibanez and not - but usually when they were new.
Mike Patton / Eclipse Guitars was recommended by a friend in the Denver metro area.
Riis
Riis
Over my 18-19 years with this bass, I suspect that dry winters, and humidity shifts have worked it. I don't know if that means the wood has finally "stabilized" or if it will continue to change.
Definitely not a loose tuner or lose hardware. The sound is obviously the string buzzing against frets.
Thanks for this referral, and for doing the extra step of giving me a total. I'm expecting a call from the 2nd shop today, so it is helpful to have that option and number in mind.
Getting the same model bass is a crap shoot as there is no guarantee that neck isn't wonky- or has shot frets. I was thinking about getting a new 305 and swapping necks, but I don't know how much might go into adapting/fitting the neck.
The longmont shop would have been about $460 for the refret/planing. And a 3-week wait.
I got on the phone with shop #2 today (who already has my bass). He initially proposed doing a fret level etc for $450. I told him that shop #1 didn't think there was enough fret left to do that, and also, (armed with the above info-- thanks to SkylineFiver!), I told him another shop (#3) would do a full refret for that same amount. He said he'd do a full refret for $500, and I said yes. ... Now. We wait.
