Bassanoid Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 (edited) [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Hi there[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I'm struggling to set up my bass and I need a bit of help. [/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]It's an Epiphone Rumblekat short scale.[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]When I hold the E string down at 1st and 16th fret, there is no gap at 12th fret, and about 0.2mm gap at 7th fret. [/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I thought I could fix this by loosening the truss rod, so I turned it about 1/4th turn and the screw became totally loose. I've just tightened it now about an 1/8th turn because surely it shouldn't be all the way loose? Please correct me if I'm wrong.[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Anyway, I'm not sure what to do. There seems to be a slight forward bow in the neck, which is what I have been told is normal. But I can't get my head around why there isn't any relief at 12th fret when I fret 1st and 16th. I saw a guy on youtube saying this should be about 0.5mm. Is that right?[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]When the E string is open, the gap between the 12th fret and bottom of the string is just over 2mm. Last fret is 3mm. [/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]All measurements were taken in playing position.[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]I can take photos if that will help?[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]And please suggest any other measurements/tests I can do.[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Thanks[/font][/color] [color=#141414][font=verdana, geneva, lucida,]Dan[/font][/color] Edited November 8, 2015 by Bassanoid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Where are you? Maybe somebody who does their own set ups could take a look at it for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Are there fret buzz problems? Is the playing action comfortable for you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassanoid Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1447007482' post='2904120'] Where are you? Maybe somebody who does their own set ups could take a look at it for you. [/quote] I live near Manchester. I can't really afford to get it set up properly at the moment so I thought I'd do it myself Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassanoid Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 [quote name='Number6' timestamp='1447007598' post='2904122'] Are there fret buzz problems? Is the playing action comfortable for you? [/quote] There was a fret buzz problem around 12th fret on the D and G strings. After I loosened the truss rod I raised the bridge half a turn or so, and the fret buzz seems to have gone now. I've got a feeling that the truss rod adjustment didn't do much though because of how slack it was to begin with, and the action gets higher and higher towards to bridge. It's not hard to play above 12th fret but I'd love for the strings to be a bit lower and more parallel with the fretboard. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassanoid Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 Is it normal for the truss rod to be so slack? Could this damage the neck at all? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mykesbass Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1447007482' post='2904120'] Where are you? Maybe somebody who does their own set ups could take a look at it for you. [/quote] [quote name='Bassanoid' timestamp='1447007763' post='2904127'] I live near Manchester. I can't really afford to get it set up properly at the moment so I thought I'd do it myself [/quote] I think what RhysP is getting at is that someone from the Basschat community - not a shop or luthier - could have a look for you to give some advice (we're pretty good at that sort of thing on here). Without being with the bass there's far too much room for guesswork. Hope someone local can step up and help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 Sounds to me like it can be set up and it doesn't appear to have a bowed neck. Somebody will be able to help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted November 8, 2015 Share Posted November 8, 2015 [quote name='Mykesbass' timestamp='1447009771' post='2904157'] I think what RhysP is getting at is that someone from the Basschat community - not a shop or luthier - could have a look for you to give some advice (we're pretty good at that sort of thing on here). Without being with the bass there's far too much room for guesswork. Hope someone local can step up and help [/quote] Yep, that's what I meant. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassanoid Posted November 8, 2015 Author Share Posted November 8, 2015 OK great. I don't drive but could get around north/east Manchester using public transport, if there are any offers in that area. I'll start a thread in the introductions section soon. Cheers for the help so far! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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