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Post subject: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:22 am
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I have the 60s Jazz Bass and am trying to decipher the manual, as well as look at the logistics of set up, and have a couple of questions.

1. It says to put a Capo on the 1st fret then hold down the last fret then measure the height of the string in the 17th fret to S/32". What is S?

2. To change the bow on the neck I have to take the neck off and turn the screw. Is there an economic way of determining how much to turn it, or is it just trial and error and having to put the bass back to together and take it apart for each guessed adjustment?

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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:22 am
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With 1. You should measure around the 7th or 8th fret.
2. adjust a 1/4 of a turn clockwise for less relief(less gap) or a 1/4 return counter clockwise for more relief(more gap).

I also start with my saddle height and pickup adjustments. Then fine tune my neck and then intonation.


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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 4:09 pm
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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:20 pm
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Thanks for the advice you guys.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 9:52 pm
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I may be too late, but Gary Willis has an excellent setup guide online. Here is the link:
http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html

I always thought the Fender approach with the feeler gauges was way too complex. This method is much simpler and works for me.


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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:20 pm
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Awesome resource, thanks!

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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 11:54 pm
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No disrespect intended but it sounds like you are a little unsure of how to do it,Its a healthy fear and if you are not really sure of yourself in the neck adjustment dept I would bring it to get set-up or try doing it on a old beater bass laying around.
I have replaced many a neck because of someone not qualified to do a set-up went and over tightened the trus-rod and ruined the neck,necks can be figidty(weather plays a big role) at times and left alone may go back without needing any adjustments,humidity plays a big role in this topic,so if you must do it then go slow and turn the adjuster a little at a time,there's even a few video's on Youtube done by a few people showing step-by step the process of adjusting the neck,intonation and pickup height too,not everyone of them is a Leo Fender but most are pretty accurate,So watch a bunch of them and see it makes more sense seeing it done than trying to picture whats being said.
GOODLUCK :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Sat Aug 20, 2011 11:26 am
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I started off being terribly naive about neck adjustments but having taken the neck off about 10 times I'm a little more ahead. I can take the neck off and have it back on and tuned in about 3 minutes. I can say with certainty that no one should ever need to turn a jazz bass neck screw more than about 1/16th of a turn in either direction from the factory setting. I went into fine tuning adjustments by about 1/32 or 1/64th of a turn and it made a noticeable difference. My first try turning was about 1/8th and it was way too much. I would not suggest that anyone ever needs to turn a neck screw as much as 1/4, unless it had previously been turned that far in the opposite direction.

The resources and advice here have helped a lot. The feel and sound is now much closer to where I want it.

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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 4:40 am
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I may be even later lol. Here's another great resource:
http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/ultimat ... setup.html
It's a killer pdf with everything you would ever want to know about bass setup. More than you may ever want to know for that matter. As for the truss rod access I prefer the it at the end of the neck myself. It seems like a stronger place to locate it. I think Fender got it right with the American Standard Jazz Bass this time around (2008). I hate the 1970's style bullet truss thing; they suck. Don't be afraid of adjusting the bass, they are actually quite robust as long as you follow direction; Leo made them to be tools that the average person can use. I adjust my bass all the time: I like my action as low as I can get without a lot of buzzing. The action changes a bit due to weather/humidity/AC, especially my Jaco fretless; it's just a way of life I suppose. As stated above, a quarter turn a day of the truss rod, no more. Usually you don't need too much of an adjustment. Good luck. If you are really worried take it to a trusted shop but there is no reason you can do a full set up yourself. You'll know your basses better!


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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Wed Aug 24, 2011 5:52 am
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more info. Check out this book, it's killer, "The Fender Bass Handbook: How to Buy, Maintain, Set Up, Troubleshoot, and Modify Your Bass". It's available here: http://www.amazon.com/Fender-Bass-Handb ... 840&sr=1-1
Best $15 you'll spend. Also, you needn't totally remove the neck and strings. Just loosen the strings and unscrew enough to access the truss rod. Also make sure you don't loose/move the shim if there's one present. There is often one there right from the factory.


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Post subject: Re: Setting up the neck on a Jazz Bass
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2011 7:34 pm
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Things were going well but in the end it wasn't set up right so have taken it in to the shop. Thanks for the resources though, very good to know.

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