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set up question

  • Thread starter Thread starter RS
  • Start date Start date
RS

RS

Aug 27, 2000
2,881
38
Cleveland, OH
#1
I dropped a set of med-light guage (100-45) strings on one of my jazz basses and I am having a bit of an issue setting it up properly. There is seemigly a decent amount of relief in the neck but I had to raise the saddles very high to get rid of the buzzing up and down the neck. Now the action is higher than I'd like. Is the nut cut too low for these strings or is there another issue?
 
#2
1 get the action to a point where it doesn't buzz anywhere on the neck regardless of relief. If you dropped a gauge then your neck will have to get used to a different tension and in this case the strings won't bow your neck forward because of the previous previous sets higher tension. Add more relief in the neck and tune to pitch. Only 1/8 at a time. The action and string buzz could be from the neck relief. Where exactly is the buzzing on the neck?
 
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#3
There was string buzz high and low on the neck (which usually means the saddles are too low) until move the saddle way up (almost topped out). Now the action is too high. If I straighten the neck, won't that introduce some buzz at the top of the neck?
 
#5
RS said:
There was string buzz high and low on the neck (which usually means the saddles are too low) until move the saddle way up (almost topped out). Now the action is too high. If I straighten the neck, won't that introduce some buzz at the top of the neck?
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It's definitely a neck problem. It's out of whack. Had this problem when I got my fender precision out of the box. Buzz everywhere. Don't remember how I fixed it but it took some time. As suggested look at the setup guide. That will help. Good luck.
 
#7
I set it up to precisely measured Fender factory specs and something is still wonky. I am getting buzz on the 5th and 7th frets of the E string and 7th fret of the A string. Weird.
FWIW I really haven't any issues setting up my own basses in the past. I am not a pro but I can usually get things were I want quickly.
 
#8
RS said:
I set it up to precisely measured Fender factory specs and something is still wonky. I am getting buzz on the 5th and 7th frets of the E string and 7th fret of the A string. Weird.
FWIW I really haven't any issues setting up my own basses in the past. I am not a pro but I can usually get things were I want quickly.
Click to expand...
It's relief/neck problem. it needs more relief if the strings rattle behind the 12 fret and down near the pickups it probably an action issue. If it's buzzing in the middle on the 10-4th fret it's probably a relief issue and if it buzzes on the first 3 it's probably a nut issue. Or you could have uneven frets as well. But The neck is going to need more relief because the previous set was heavier and the lighter strings won't pull the neck as much. Add relief and lower the action and see if it helps.
 
#9
Precision101 said:
It's relief/neck problem. it needs more relief I've noticed that If the strings rattle behind the 12 fret and down near the pickups it an action issue. If it's buzzing in the middle on the 10-4th fret it's a relief issue and if it buzzes on the first 3 it's a nut issue. The neck is going to need more relief because the previous set was heavier and the lighter strings won't pull the neck as much. Add relief and lower the action and see if it helps.
Click to expand...
 
#12
RS said:
I set it up to precisely measured Fender factory specs and something is still wonky. I am getting buzz on the 5th and 7th frets of the E string and 7th fret of the A string. Weird.
FWIW I really haven't any issues setting up my own basses in the past. I am not a pro but I can usually get things were I want quickly.
Click to expand...

Use a fret rocker (or something like it) and check (with the bass tuned to pitch) under the string path if the 8th fret is higher than the 9th fret.
 

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