| Author | Message | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 33 Registered: 5-2008 |
hi there,just recived my new bass 12 days ago,the set up was orrible,the bass don't work specialy on the e string ,i have waited for let the woods feell the cold europe temperature but still have a lot of buzz and rumour,i have already followed the instructions on the site,suggestions please! | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2712 Registered: 6-2002 |
So you've been following Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass? Remember you have three things to play with - and when you start you do them in this order: the adjustable nut, the truss rods, and the bridge. It is also very important that you check the "buzz and rumour" with the bass in playing position, not when it lies down flat. And a reasonably fresh set of strings! Your bass is currently unplayable - or as Joey said, "ALL of us have turned our basses into boat oars the first time or two till we 'got it'." So start again with the nut, to remove buzzes at the first five frets, making sure you can easily press down the strings in those positions. Then the truss rods to reflect your playing style and preferences. Finally the bridge to remove (or intentionally add) buzz from the fifth fret up. | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 34 Registered: 5-2008 |
interesting, most of the problem that i have is with the e string and d string,in the first fret ,in the e string from the first to the twelve,d and g are ok!but buzz a little on the side of the peghead,i hear a lot of buzz also when i play e string free! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7088 Registered: 6-2000 |
I'm sure we can help you get the proper adjustments done. The bass was setup very well when it left us, but it's been on at least 2 flights since then, and it will need attention now. Did you loosen the truss rods? You said you followed the instructions on the site, there's lots of suggestions for adjusting your bass, can you tell me what procedure you followed so I know what you've already tried? The buzzing sound, does it come through the amplifier? | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 35 Registered: 5-2008 |
hi Mica you're so kind,i'm sure that the bass was set up proprely,the bass is fantastic,i'm sure also that the problem is the drastic chabge in temperature from hot california to cold germany and cold italy.i have changed the string with dr string with the same gauge,becouse the D string was broken on the peghead the first time i have tried to tune it,probably on the E side i got to much space on the first fret but i do it for try not to make it buzz,then i have loosen the truss rod 1/8 of a turn anticlock turn(for loose is correct?)and the bass was pretty better but not enough,and then i have raised the bridge on the E ide a bit,if i press at 24TH fret And press at the 1st fret i can see a bow,on the first fret to the 7th fret i got no space from string to fret,and the same on the last fret on middle the space is ok,as i said i see a bow.got no probem playng on the end of the fingerboard,the problem is on the E and A string also playng it free,it slap over the frets "dang dang".Help me....i'm sad,i want to play this beauty!thank you! | ||
| mica
Moderator Username: mica Post Number: 7091 Registered: 6-2000 |
I would suggest sticking with truss rod adjustments at first - the only thing that moved with you or I asking it to was the neck. 1/8 of a turn is a pretty small amount, so I would have to try that a little more. Also, adjust the rods the same amount on each side at first. I probably don't have to say this, but of course make sure that you play with a touch appropriate for the action - the lower the action, the lighter the touch you need to play with. Don't raise the nut unless you have a buzz on an open string that goes away when you fret. Since you are getting buzz on open and fretted notes, truss rod adjustments are the right first approach. Make sure if you decide to adjust the nut that you loosen the center anchor screw first, or you will damage the baseplate. Let me know how it goes. | ||
| rustyg61
Junior Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 27 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks for this valuble info Joey/Mica! I just got my SC Signature Deluxe last week, & it had a little string buzz right out of the box. I raised the bridge which helped, but could still hear some buzz when playing acoustically. I did that before reading this thread to see how to properly set it up! I followed your instructions & now I have no buzz with lower action! My only question is I loosened the truss rod on the low E side all the way, & still can not get the medium pick under the string without it raising the string. It did create a gap between the string & the fret when holding down the 1st & 24th fret, but not enough gap to slide the pick under the string without it moving the string up. Before loosening the truss rod, there was no gap, so it did some good. I guess my question is, is it OK to have the truss rod nut completely loose, & should I have more of a gap under the string with it all the way loose? I loosened it to where I can turn it with my fingers, then snugged it back to keep it from vibrating. I also loosened the truss rod on the G string side to see if it would create any more gap on the E string, but it didn't have much effect. The gap under the G string is also less than the medium pick thickness, but it was not buzzing like the E was. Thanks for sharing your knowledge & advice! Rusty | ||
| thumbsup
Advanced Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 277 Registered: 7-2008 |
Rusty....I would recomend you start a new thread...sounds like you have loosen them to the extreme...doesn't sound right to me...but others on this site are vey knowledgable. Steve | ||
| rustyg61
Junior Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 35 Registered: 2-2011 |
Thanks Steve. I emailed Joey & explained my situation & he told me what I need to do to get more relief. He has had the same issue with his bass when it was new & was able to correct it, so hopefully mine will line out too. | ||
| thumbsup
Advanced Member Username: thumbsup Post Number: 280 Registered: 7-2008 |
Joeys' the man...hes' helped me on several ocations! | ||
| rustyg61
Junior Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 38 Registered: 2-2011 |
Joey's advice worked! My bass plays amazing now with no buzz! | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 607 Registered: 9-2008 |
Tell us what you had done... | ||
| rustyg61
Junior Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 39 Registered: 2-2011 |
I tried adjusting the truss rods like Joey instructed in his setup post, but even though I loosened both truss nutts completely, I still didn't have much gap under my E string when holding down the 1st & 24th fret. So I emailed Joey & he said he had the same problem when his bass was new, & suggested I loosen the truss nuts all the way, then tune the bass up a full step to F#,B,E,A & let it set for 24 hours. Then snug the truss nuts, but not tighten them, & retune. The extra tension from tuning up a step pulled my neck into increased relief which put more gap under the strings, which allowed me to lower my bridge & have great action without buzz! Joey is indeed "The Man!" | ||
| rustyg61
Junior Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 40 Registered: 2-2011 |
I tried adjusting the truss rods like Joey instructed in his setup post, but even though I loosened both truss nuts completely, I still didn't have much gap under my E string when holding down the 1st & 24th fret. So I emailed Joey & he said he had the same problem when his bass was new, & suggested I loosen the truss nuts all the way, then tune the bass up a full step to F#,B,E,A & let it set for 24 hours. Then snug the truss nuts, but not tighten them, & retune. The extra tension from tuning up a step pulled my neck into increased relief which put more gap under the strings, which allowed me to lower my bridge & have great action without buzz! Joey is indeed "The Man!" | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 609 Registered: 9-2008 |
Great tip! | ||
| adimanto
Junior Username: adimanto Post Number: 36 Registered: 5-2008 |
Ciao six month is passed since my new alembic is arrived,i think that i now time to change the strings(a bit in late i think) and use lemon oil on the fingerboard,that look a little bit dirty,but a big question?where i can buy in europe or in internet the lemon oil?and another question can someone send me the measurement for the set up in cm and not in inc?ciao bei bambini!grazie! | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2784 Registered: 6-2002 |
Look for essential lemon oil. Personally, I don't need measurements to do the setup, I just adjust the truss rods, the bridge and the nut, and make sure that the strings do not rattle against the frets. | ||
| mario_farufyno
Senior Member Username: mario_farufyno Post Number: 652 Registered: 9-2008 |
Alan, to convert Inches in Centimeters you have just to divide it by 2.54. But Adriaan is right, don't start from a measure, it simply doesn't work by rulers. | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 118 Registered: 2-2011 |
Here's something I just got that helps immensely with setting your neck relief & action. It is a string depth guage that is very easy to lay on the fret & get an accurate measurement of the string height. Before I was using a ruler & it was hard to get an accurate measurement for 3/32" It is very easy with this tool! They have some other great stuff on this site too! http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Measuring_tools/String_Action_Gauge.html | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1680 Registered: 9-2002 |
Rusty, you are learning fast: Nobody who even casually tweaks their own axes, much less most every guitar company you can think of, can NOT live without StewMac ! J o e y | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 119 Registered: 2-2011 |
Well Joey, thanks to you & StewMac, my bass is now PERFECT! You should ammend your post on setting up the bass to include a link to StewMac. Thanks again for sharing your knowledge! | ||
| lefsalefsa
New Username: lefsalefsa Post Number: 1 Registered: 5-2011 |
Hi all, I recently bought a very nice used Stanley Clarke Signature bass. However, I have problems with adjusting the action to my satisfaction - either I get too high action or buzz when playing higher than fret 5 on the E string. I have read and tried Joeys post on setting up, however adjusting the string hight to where the bottom of the string is about 4.7 mm (3/16") over the 24th fret in the final step gives a much higher action than I prefer. What I am after is a similar action as on my Status bass, where the distance is a little more than 3 mm over the 24th fret, and 3 mm over the 12th fret. Also, if I press down the E string at the 24th fret (only) and insert a 0.96mm plectrum between the string and the 12th fret, it stays in place (and similarly for the G string). String buzz is not a problem on my Status with this setup, and I hope and believe a similar setup is possible on my Alembic. This seems to be the right place to get help! | ||
| adriaan
Moderator Username: adriaan Post Number: 2790 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hi Atle, welcome to the Club, and congrats on the SC! Sounds like you have turned your bass into the proverbial boat oar, so you need to take a different approach. Two questions up front: how long have you let the bass settle in since you've made the adjustments, and are you checking the setup with the bass in playing postition? I'd try loosening the trussrods a bit to give a bit more relief, and if possible lower the bridge somewhat to reduce the action at the 24th fret. If that is not enough, perhaps raise the nut a hair. The relief at the 12th fret is more the result of what you do with the other settings, rather than a goal in itself. By the way, what kind of strings are you using, and what gauges? If the truss rods are barely tightened, you might try settling in the neck by tuning up your strings a full note for a day or two, after that the truss rods may give you more of a range to play with at regular pitch. | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 153 Registered: 2-2011 |
Hi Atle, congatulations on your SC, & welcome to the club! I also have a SC Signature Deluxe I bought new in February. When I got it, the neck had no relief & I got buzz on about half the neck. I too followed Joey's post on setting up the bass & it helped, but I still had some buzz. I had my truss nuts completely loose & still barely had any relief, so I emailed Joey & he told me to loosen the nuts all the way & tune the bass up a full step, so the tuning is F#,B,E,A. Then let it set for 24 hours, snug the nuts where they are not loose, but don't tighten them down, then tune the bass normal. That gave me the relief I needed to lower the strings with no buzz. I was also fighting myself trying to measure with a ruler & not getting accurate measurements. I bought a string depth guage from StewMac that helped immensely! http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Measuring_tools/String_Action_Gauge.html My action was actually way lower than I thought it was. The trick is to not get in a hurry & let it settle for several days before making another adjustment. After a week or so I was able to tighten the truss nuts about a half turn & take some of the relief out & get the action even lower. I was playing through headphones last night & didn't hear any buzz anywhere, so I lowered the bridge another 1/4 turn on both sides & it is still buzz free! I am currently running 5/64" or 1.9mm on the E at the 12th fret, & 1/16" or 1.5mm on the G at the 12th fret with no buzz, & I play pretty hard. It took me 2 months to get the action I was looking for, mostly because I didn't use a depth guage, & was not waiting a few days between adjustments, but now it is perfect & plays AMAZING!! So be patient, make small adjustents & give it a few days or even a week to settle out then remeasure & readjust & eventually you will get even lower action than you have on your Status! With Alembic, perfection is not only attainable, it is our birthright! Good luck & don't give up! | ||
| bigredbass
Senior Member Username: bigredbass Post Number: 1691 Registered: 9-2002 |
If I am reading this correctly, on your Status you have 3mm clearance over the last fret and 3mm clearance over the 12th fret. Unless it's late enough my math and visualization skills are way fuzzy, that's a dead-straight neck. I'd ask . . . On your Status, what's the clearance over the FIRST fret? And are you sure there's no relief in this neck (the Status) if checked by the usual manner with a capo'd first fret, etc. ? I've never gotten a used bass that was adjusted properly. And you must remember two things here: First, there is an intertwining relationship between neck relief, string heights etc., where they can affect each other (get your string height over the last fret correct, then crank in more truss rod tension and the string lower themselves as the neck flattens, or the reverse of this, for instance). And . . . . Second, not a lot of this applies to graphite-necked instruments ! Even the ones with truss rods are just a different animal. Thinking this over, I'd think it's buzzing above the fifth fret as the neck is not straight enough yet. You always start with relief, then go to your string heights. The great thing about an ALEMBIC is that we can easily adjust the nut to match the clearance on your Status. I would certainly NOT start this process until you have installed the strings you plan to keep on this. You are shooting for a low, straight action, and it will be pointless to do this with the strings it came with. I feel like all basses have a range of adjustment that are unique to each bass: Some will just go lower than others. I don't know if we can match the Status, but it's sure going to be interesting in the trying . . . the best quick course in this is Gary Willis' routine: http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html J o e y | ||
| lefsalefsa
New Username: lefsalefsa Post Number: 2 Registered: 5-2011 |
Hi all, First of all, thanks a lot for your useful input. This is clearly the right place to get help :-) Second, let me make it clear that I am not complaining about the Alembic - I don't believe there is anything wrong with it, except that I, who am a newbie in this respect, have not yet succeeded in setting it up the way I like. My only reason for mentioning the Status was to explain the kind of setup I am aiming for. I consider both the Alembic and the Status to be very good instruments. Third, to your questions. I did not let the bass settle after doing the adjustments (so that was probably one of my mistakes), but I did check the adjustments in playing positions. I have 0.40 DR strings on my Alembic, these were put on when I bought the bass. (On my Status I use 0.35 Status strings). I do not have the recommended measuring device (yet), so my measures are likely not very accurate. There _is_ a string height difference between the 12th and 24th fret on my Status, but it is so small that I chose to say "a little more than" rather than try to quantify it. The string height above the first fret on my Status is very low - if I insert a .96mm plectrum under the string it visibly raises the string. There is definetely relief in the Status neck; the distance between the 12th fret and the E string is a little less than 1 mm when I hold down the string on the 1st and 24th frets. My next step now will be to try to loosen the truss rods and tune up a full tone, as proposed. I will then leave the bass for a day or two, and then try adjusting it again, following Joey's post. After that, I will wait another couple of days before drawing any conclusions. I will let you know how it goes. If I do not succeed I will probably be back with more questions! Cheers, Atle | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 166 Registered: 2-2011 |
Atle, perseverance is the secret to success.....well, that & the right tools! I highly recommend you order the string action gauge. I fought mine for 6 weeks doing the same steps over & over with mixed results, then after I got the action gauge, within 10 minutes I had it perfect! I gained some relief by loosening the truss nuts & tuning up a step, but my relief kept increasing for a couple of weeks even after I tuned back down. That is when I got the action gauge & was able to accurately measure it & start tightening the truss rods to take some of the relief out & lower my action. Once you get it in the ball park, play it for a week or 2 then do slight adjustments to try to get your action even lower if you want to. Good luck, it will be well worth the effort & time! I was almost late to work today because I was playing my bass & didn't want to put it down! Rusty | ||
| lefsalefsa
New Username: lefsalefsa Post Number: 3 Registered: 5-2011 |
Thanks Rusty, I ordered the action gauge yesterday. It will take 2-4 weeks before it arrives, so I'll have to make do with a tape measure until then. Cheers, Atle | ||
| rustyg61
Intermediate Member Username: rustyg61 Post Number: 167 Registered: 2-2011 |
That will give your neck time to settle after doing the step up tuning with the loose truss nuts. I would suggest just adjusting the bridge enough to make it playable until you get the action gauge in, then adjust the truss rod when you can get accurate measurements. You will be amazed at how much easier it is to measure with this tool! Rusty |
