• 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 freeLog in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Strings flat on the fretboard what should I do?

Vevy

Guest
Jul 18, 2013
32
0
the strings have no arc, are all at the same height. And further if I low the action like I want, some frets after the 12° buzz. I read that for the arc of the strings I should loosen the truss rod, but for the buzz I should tighten it, so what should I do? I'm a bit lost..
 
Wow are you not getting it! No, the arc is set by setting the saddles different heights. The truss had nothing to do with FB radius (arc).

Set the E for desired action. Set the A higher to follow the fret board. Set the D about the same. The G will be at same level as the E but can usually go a bit lower. Keep saddles level to the body: both height screws on one saddle are set the same depth. The other saddles different heights but level side to side. All saddles different heights.

The truss sets the BOW of the neck. Lengthwise. From the nut to the heel.

The arc or radius of the neck is the curve across the width of the neck. The 21/4" across dimension: the width of the metal fret itself.

Read the setup guides in the stickie thread at the top of this forum.
 
I followed your suggestions, I lowered the action and set the D and A a bit higher than E and G, now there is a little bit of arc, but just a tiny bit. Now remains the buzz issue. I like a low action, but even if I lowered it a lot remains alway too high, and also frets from the 12° on buzz. But I have to specify that yesterday morning I changed the strings, and the new seems a little bit thicker compared to my previous, and knowing that a medium gauge strings have more tension compared to light gauge I also tighten the truss rod to try to eliminate the buzz, but nothing..still have a lot of relief to me.. anyway I tighten it very little, less than 1/4 turn..
 
You should probably take your bass to a technician to adjust these things. There is the bow/nonbow or your neck, the string by string adjustment (on some instruments) and the frets themselves (they can be shaved back). But other than a quick adjustment of the truss rod, the rest should probably be done by a technician. Ask for a set-up.

When adjusting the truss rod, when looking down the neck from the head down, turn the rod to the right (clockwise) to flatten the neck and to the left (counterclockwise) to create more bow. If you turn it to far to the right, the neck can go beyond flat and bow back. When adjusting, turn it 1/4 of a turn, then leave it for a few hours, then turn it another 1/4 if needed, etc. The wood doesn't respond immediately.