Trouble with 33" Scale tuning?

[Demonizer]

I just picked up a 2011 Jackson JS2 Bass. Im trying to tune it but it's very strange. I can tune a bass pretty quick by ear & get it close enough to play just fine - been doin that for years on several different basses I have & others I have messed around with. But not this one - I cant tune it right & when I think its tuned, playing songs sounds like it out of tune tune. I can tune the strings open with a clip on tuner, but when tuning using the 5th fret the higher string is flat. Also, some songs I play don't sound right on this bass - like it's out of tune. So I measured a few things & noticed this bass scale is 33". All my other basses are 34"
Am I missing something here? could this be an intonation issue? or is 33" scale that much different. I though it was a 34" scale when I got it & as far as I know Jackson JS2 basses come in Full Scale 34 & Minion Scale 28". Any advice? Im thinking of just getting rid of this bass, a little googling I did sounded like some people really prefer 33" scale.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Did you do a set-up (...including intonation) with a decent tuner?

Riis

 

[Demonizer]

Did you do a set-up (...including intonation) with a decent tuner?

Riis

not yet, just picked it up today. whats weird about it is I have been dealing with basses for years in all conditions, & this is the first time iv'e been thrown a "curve ball" like this. My first though was intonation, but I've dealt with many basses with bad intonation & I can still tune & play quickly, this one is just giving me grief & I don't know if its worth messin' with. Its kinda like if you have a stack of basses & you are tuning them all by the 5th fret & then one comes along that wont tune & feels really off - something may be wrong with it that I can't/don't want to have to deal with. If the 33" scale is throwing me off, or something else wrong with it.
So Im just wondering/reaching out to see if its really that different? As far as I know I have never come across a 33" scale, all have been 34", none short for sure.

 

[Slater]

What is the distance from the nut to the 12th fret? For a 33” scale bass, that distance should be 16.5”. Similarly, the distance from the 12th fret to the bridge saddles should be around 16.5”, with allowance for intonation on each string.

33” scale is possible, but not very common. I suspect you might have a 34” scale neck on a 32” scale body, or vice versa.

 

[Demonizer]

Now thats interesting.... I always thought 12th fret was the center of the scale length (Nut & Saddle) - didn't think of measuring that, and here are my numbers:
Nut to Saddles = 33" exact on E, slight variances on others.
Nut to 12th = 17"
12th to Saddle = 16"

Other notes of interest:

Doing some Web research, I cant find any indication that Jackson made a 33' scale bass, or specifically a JS2 series 33" scale.

All I could get from the SN was it was #12,035 made in India in 2011
SN on the neck plate only, nothing on the headstock

The neck plate screws are buggered up & there is a pretty good gap of @ 1/6 or more on one side of the neck pocket & neck - every bass I have has a nice fit with no gaps.

Also, while the Jackson inline 4 headstock is “correct” for this Concert style, the fretboard has dots & all the Concert style basses I can find online have the shark fine inlays.

My Dot fretboard is 22 frets while all the other JS2 Concert basses I can find are 24

When the JS Series originally came out in 2011 they were 35” Scale with shark fin inlays. Now in 2021 they are 34” scale - dont know when they changed the scale.

So I’m sure this is not the original neck and its whats causing me trouble.

That would make sense, cuz I can tune it it open string with a tuner, or even to another bass & everything sounds good open string. Its when I fret notes that trouble starts - all the fretted notes on the Jackson are sharp compared to the same fretted notes on any other bass I have.

I think you helped direct me to the problem.

I got it used from Guitar Center for $150 cuz I was after the Gloss Black finish - don’t like the Flat Black the new ones come in now.

Anyway, thanks for the help

 

[Zooberwerx]

Now thats interesting.... I always thought 12th fret was the center of the scale length (Nut & Saddle) - didn't think of measuring that, and here are my numbers:
Nut to Saddles = 33" exact on E, slight variances on others.
Nut to 12th = 17"
12th to Saddle = 16"

Other notes of interest:

Doing some Web research, I cant find any indication that Jackson made a 33' scale bass, or specifically a JS2 series 33" scale.

All I could get from the SN was it was #12,035 made in India in 2011
SN on the neck plate only, nothing on the headstock

The neck plate screws are buggered up & there is a pretty good gap of @ 1/6 or more on one side of the neck pocket & neck - every bass I have has a nice fit with no gaps.

Also, while the Jackson inline 4 headstock is “correct” for this Concert style, the fretboard has dots & all the Concert style basses I can find online have the shark fine inlays.

My Dot fretboard is 22 frets while all the other JS2 Concert basses I can find are 24

When the JS Series originally came out in 2011 they were 35” Scale with shark fin inlays. Now in 2021 they are 34” scale - dont know when they changed the scale.

So I’m sure this is not the original neck and its whats causing me trouble.

That would make sense, cuz I can tune it it open string with a tuner, or even to another bass & everything sounds good open string. Its when I fret notes that trouble starts - all the fretted notes on the Jackson are sharp compared to the same fretted notes on any other bass I have.


I think you helped direct me to the problem.

I got it used from Guitar Center for $150 cuz I was after the Gloss Black finish - don’t like the Flat Black the new ones come in now.

Anyway, thanks for the help

Yeah, you've got a problem. If the distance from the nut (leading aspect / fretboard) > 12th fret is 17" but the 12th fret > G string saddle (probably somewhat forward) is 16", stuff is gonna be really sharp.

Post some pics, please!

Riis

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Now thats interesting.... I always thought 12th fret was the center of the scale length (Nut & Saddle) - didn't think of measuring that, and here are my numbers:
Nut to Saddles = 33" exact on E, slight variances on others.
Nut to 12th = 17"
12th to Saddle = 16"

Other notes of interest:

Doing some Web research, I cant find any indication that Jackson made a 33' scale bass, or specifically a JS2 series 33" scale.

All I could get from the SN was it was #12,035 made in India in 2011
SN on the neck plate only, nothing on the headstock

The neck plate screws are buggered up & there is a pretty good gap of @ 1/6 or more on one side of the neck pocket & neck - every bass I have has a nice fit with no gaps.

Also, while the Jackson inline 4 headstock is “correct” for this Concert style, the fretboard has dots & all the Concert style basses I can find online have the shark fine inlays.

My Dot fretboard is 22 frets while all the other JS2 Concert basses I can find are 24

When the JS Series originally came out in 2011 they were 35” Scale with shark fin inlays. Now in 2021 they are 34” scale - dont know when they changed the scale.

So I’m sure this is not the original neck and its whats causing me trouble.

That would make sense, cuz I can tune it it open string with a tuner, or even to another bass & everything sounds good open string. Its when I fret notes that trouble starts - all the fretted notes on the Jackson are sharp compared to the same fretted notes on any other bass I have.

I think you helped direct me to the problem.

I got it used from Guitar Center for $150 cuz I was after the Gloss Black finish - don’t like the Flat Black the new ones come in now.

Anyway, thanks for the help

That sounds like, if there’s room, the bridge needs to move an inch towards the end of the body. The old holes will probably be covered by the bridge. Your description makes it seem like the bass has been “modified” perhaps less then successfully, if it’s within a return period that might be the best bet.

 

[Demonizer]

Yup - unsuccessful indeed. I'm surprised (well... maybe not really) that Guitar Center would buy something like this & not even notice. Im not a "Pro" anything, but two minutes with this bass & I knew something was way off. Just took me a while to figure it out. They are supposed to clean & inspect used gear before selling it - someone sucks at their job :0. I bought it online from another store in another state & it was shipped to my local GC - I have 45 days to return. Yes, If I move the bridge back 1" it would fix it, but then the bridge is to far back & It feels far enough back when I play it as is, so not really an option.

 

[Demonizer]

Yup - unsuccessful indeed. I'm surprised (well... maybe not really) that Guitar Center would buy something like this & not even notice. Im not a "Pro" anything, but two minutes with this bass & I knew something was way off. Just took me a while to figure it out. They are supposed to clean & inspect used gear before selling it - someone sucks at their job :0. I bought it online from another store in another state & it was shipped to my local GC, I wanted the gloss black not the new flat black on everything. - I have 45 days to return. Yes, If I move the bridge back 1" it would fix it, but then the bridge is to far back & It feels far enough back when I play it as is, so not really an option.

 

[Demonizer]

Yeah, you've got a problem. If the distance from the nut (leading aspect / fretboard) > 12th fret is 17" but the 12th fret > G string saddle (probably somewhat forward) is 16", stuff is gonna be really sharp.

Post some pics, please!

Riis

OKEY DOKEY -
The bass in question is the Jackson JS2 Concert base on the LEFT. I've been looking for a Gloss Black one for a while & finally found one.... but I Dont like all the new flat black stuff thats on everything these days - might just have to plan on painting one I guess. here are some pics of the measurements.

 

[Demonizer]

Yeah, you've got a problem. If the distance from the nut (leading aspect / fretboard) > 12th fret is 17" but the 12th fret > G string saddle (probably somewhat forward) is 16", stuff is gonna be really sharp.

Post some pics, please!

Riis

OKEY DOKEY -
The bass in question is the Jackson JS2 Concert base on the LEFT. I've been looking for a Gloss Black one for a while & finally found one.... but I Dont like all the new flat black stuff thats on everything these days - might just have to plan on painting one I guess. here are some pics of the measurements.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

The other option would be to try and find the right neck for your bass, I’m guessing 34” scale and 24 frets. No idea what’s available for Jackson necks out there, I’ve never looked specifically for one. Returning is probably the better option then take bets on the over/under before it’s listed again in “very good” condition!

 

[Zooberwerx]

OKEY DOKEY -
The bass in question is the Jackson JS2 Concert base on the LEFT. I've been looking for a Gloss Black one for a while & finally found one.... but I Dont like all the new flat black stuff thats on everything these days - might just have to plan on painting one I guess. here are some pics of the measurements.

Unreal. Don't dick around with it...send it back...be vocal and get all your money refunded.

Riis

 

[Demonizer]

The other option would be to try and find the right neck for your bass, I’m guessing 34” scale and 24 frets. No idea what’s available for Jackson necks out there, I’ve never looked specifically for one. Returning is probably the better option then take bets on the over/under before it’s listed again in “very good” condition!

HAAA - yup. I just returned it & checked out the new JS2 Concert bass there & compared it - looks like if you puththe new 24fret neck on it it would be correct - but its not worth the hassle.

 

[Demonizer]

Unreal. Don't dick around with it...send it back...be vocal and get all your money refunded.

Riis

Just returned it this afternoon, they were cool about it & gave me full refund including tax & shipping

 

[iiipopes]

Well, first of all, you must divest yourself of this unwielding beast and ship it to me for disposal, as I have decades of experience with taming 33 & 33 1/4 inch scale basses.

Seriously, it is no different than any other bass: check the bridge saddles for smoothness; check the nut that it doesn't pinch strings and each string slot angles back to the tuners from a good witness point; good fresh strings that don't bind around the bridge or the tuner post; a good setup overall - if the bridge saddle won't go back far enough, you may need to trim the intonation screw and spring to relieve binding.

As set forth above, this is NOT a 33-inch scale bass. This is a "Fender Standard" 34-inch scale bass. You might even need a good tech to sort it out.

 

[Demonizer]

Well, first of all, you must divest yourself of this unwielding beast and ship it to me for disposal, as I have decades of experience with taming 33 & 33 1/4 inch scale basses.

Seriously, it is no different than any other bass: check the bridge saddles for smoothness; check the nut that it doesn't pinch strings and each string slot angles back to the tuners from a good witness point; good fresh strings that don't bind around the bridge or the tuner post; a good setup overall - if the bridge saddle won't go back far enough, you may need to trim the intonation screw and spring to relieve binding.

As set forth above, this is NOT a 33-inch scale bass. This is a "Fender Standard" 34-inch scale bass. You might even need a good tech to sort it out.

yup, Its not a 33" scale, and I got it sorted out - it's the wrong neck on this body. Who knows how that happened as its not even playable... unless you intend on making it a one string bass, but it's pretty revealing on how the "Pro's" at Guitar Center "Clean & inspect" used gear to be fully functional but have scratches & wear. Im no Pro, but I knew there was something very wrong with it in the first two min I had it in my hands. Refer to my previous comments about the details & pics of the issue.