Quick fix or problem?

[la bam]

Hi all,

I had a bass put together for me around a month ago and it was set up superbly when I got it.

Now I've played it for a month, I've noticed the strings are really clangy, theres buzz and it looks like they're touching the fret board whilst fretting lower down the neck.

Is this an easy fix? I cant see it being the saddle as it was set up perfectly?

Is it the neck? Does it need the truss rod turning?

Any help appreciated.

[TheGreek]

Series of checks:

• Neck - is it straight? Check the truss rod - does it need adjusting? No more than 1/4 turn per day.
• Bridge - does the action need adjusting?
• Strings - are these new? New strings can be too bright - especially SS.

Remember a good set up can make it feel like a completely different instrument.

Good luck.

[la bam]

Thanks. This was set up perfectly though. It seems to have adjusted over a few weeks.

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

The neck can shift due to differences in the climate - eg temperature & humidity. This is most likely what has happened and should be nothing to worry about. It can usually be fixed with a tweak of the truss rod. There's a lot of info and videos around about how to do this, and its fairly easy once you've done it a few times.

[Old Horse Murphy]

Yep, sounds like the truss rod needs to be slackened a tiny bit. I have to adjust mine roughly twice a year due to changes in the season, humidity etc. As JLP says, nothing much to worry about

[la bam]

Thanks.

Is that a 1/4 clockwise or anti clockwise?

[Old Horse Murphy]

To loosen it turn it anti-clockwise

Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty 😉
 

You may not even have to give it a quarter turn. It may be fine with less than that. 

Edited May 19, 2021 by Old Horse Murphy

[la bam]

Thanks.

[Hellzero]

2 hours ago, Old Horse Murphy said:

To loosen it turn it anti-clockwise

Lefty Loosey, Righty Tighty 😉
 

You may not even have to give it a quarter turn. It may be fine with less than that. 

Not on a Status or typical reversed working British truss rod... Always check first. 😉

[Old Horse Murphy]

15 minutes ago, Hellzero said:

Not on a Status or typical reversed working British truss rod... Always check first. 😉

True, although surely a lovely Status graphite neck wouldn't be worried by such small things as weather!

[Killed_by_Death]

 

Don't just go adjusting the truss-rod willy-nilly, check the neck-relief first. Here's a complete guide, follow it step-by-step:

https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Original/10001/OM_leg_bass_2013_Fender_Bass_Guitars_Owners_Manual_English.pdf

 

I'm not liking the new format for Fender setup guide, the old one was better.

The old link doesn't work anymore:

https://support.fender.com/hc/en-us/articles/214343843-How-do-I-set-up-my-bass-guitar-properly-

 

[TheGreek]

Not sure if this is showing for everybody - on my home page:

Link takes to further maintenance guides.