It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 3:05 pm

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Misaligned Bridge?
Posted: Fri Nov 07, 2008 3:10 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Aug 30, 2008 4:34 am
Posts: 3
Hi everyone,

I just received my new classic 70s jazz bass (bought in the US, but shipped to Europe, by a friend, as I'm currently working here). So, I really like the bass, the build and the sound - very tight! But, I have been disappointed also. It seems like the bridge and/or neck and/or pickups are somewhat misaligned!?

Please see photo - I was very careful being centered when taking this:

Image

Not only is the bridge pup also kind-of slanted, not not 100% perpendicular to the strings, but the strings themselves aren't centered. The low E seems to be quite far off the middle of its two pole pieces. It evens out more when you reach the high G.

So, what should I do here? Should I worry about it, does it need sending back to the store of Fender (ugh, I can't really send it back to the US, it will cost too much) or does the bridge need to be re-positioned, new holes drilled and all that jazz (no pun intended)?

Your opinions would be very appreciated, as this is my first Jazz...

Thank you for your time and any help.

Best regards,

Gunnar


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject:
Posted: Fri Nov 28, 2008 12:24 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist
User avatar

Joined: Thu Aug 02, 2007 4:13 pm
Posts: 64
A suggestion along with an experiment for you.
First, yes Fender Pup placement is skewed more than most copies even.
Now the experiment, i'm guessing a 3 bolt with micro-tilt (?) if so, what you have is neck shift; meaning, your neck has either been knocked out of place or just normal playing caused it to move in the neck pocket of the body. So to remedy that, unloosen the 2 bolts at the top of the neck plate and push the neck (by the headstock) towards the upper horn. turn the bass around to face you and you can see this movement/misplacement happen as you wiggle the neck side to side. Tighten the bolts back up when you reach the area of balance over the pickups.

Note: just loosen the 2 bolts maybe a half a turn (if that), leave your strings on of course, but detune them maybe a full step each. You need your strings on to check the movement visually.
Even a 4 bolt will loosen itself in the pocket, due to the equilateral placement of the bolts, most manufacturers remedy this by "offsetting" at least one(1) bolt, or using more bolts. :wink:

EDIT: I forgot the suggestion, and that is to feel and look at how your G string and E string are setting over the fretboard; does the E have like alot of wood showing before the edge of the board? compare that to the G string and how close it is or isn't to the egde. This will tell you if your neck has slipped. Best to check at the higher frets around 17 through end of board.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 2 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: