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Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Troubleshooting » Archive through March 08, 2009 » Essence with a fret buzz « Previous Next »

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rebelchile
New
Username: rebelchile

Post Number: 1
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 9:42 am:   Edit Post

hello, I have owned my essence for 10 years, and it is by far the finest bass that I have ever owned, pre CBS jazz basses and all the others, no joke..but.. it has developed a buzz between the 3rd and 7th frets, more on the G and D string side. I read an older post from another person at this site and it was suggested to check the string height at the nut and make it the same at the crown. What is the height at the nut supposed to be between the top of the first fret and the bottom of the G string? I have pretty much gotten this bass through its young life and, it mine alike but it seems that the only complaint that I have is the lack of being able to adjust the contour of the strings more with the string saddles on the bridge, like the old pre CBS fenders. Also, I use DR light guage HIBEAMS 45 to 105 4 string set, I remember the bolt on necks on all my other basses moving around alot, but this Alembic has not moved much at all, up until now since the neck settled into its position, but it has sat in the case for awhile due to personal reasons. Could this be one reason for fret buzz? thanks kent
tbrannon
Senior Member
Username: tbrannon

Post Number: 946
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, December 04, 2008 - 11:23 am:   Edit Post

Kent,

Sounds like you need a slight truss rod tweak-

I'd recommend reading Joey's setup post. It's sort of become the setup guide for Alembics and is VERY thorough.

http://alembic.com/club/messages/16271/16318.html?1107545766

Since the bridge saddles are radiused to match the fingerboard radius, the only adjustments you should need is to add/remove some relief from the neck and raise/drop the bridge or nut.
adriaan
Senior Member
Username: adriaan

Post Number: 2024
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Friday, December 05, 2008 - 12:51 am:   Edit Post

As thorough as Joey's setup post is, it is surprisingly short. And excellent too.

All hail Joey!
rebelchile
New
Username: rebelchile

Post Number: 3
Registered: 12-2008
Posted on Friday, December 19, 2008 - 10:26 pm:   Edit Post

Hello, just for an update, I put a new set of DR hibeams on my bass and used Joey's post as a guide, with some simple small screwdrivers and allen wenches,a capo and...after a few days of adjusting the neck relief, nut, and string height, she has settled back down and become a beautiful, and fine playing instrument once again, with really low, fast action, just like it is supposed to be... thanks for all the help..kent
jet_powers
Senior Member
Username: jet_powers

Post Number: 410
Registered: 2-2003
Posted on Saturday, December 20, 2008 - 7:52 pm:   Edit Post

Ya just gotta love a success story!

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