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Post subject: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 11:43 am
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I purchased a Fender Blacktop Jazz Bass Regular White Chrome Pearl back in January this year. I'm a guitarist/song writer who needed a bass for some routine recording licks.

The problem I have is it seems the neck frequently needs adjustment (Concave). It's kept in a pretty consistent room...70 D F, 50% humidity. Is it normal for these basses to need frequent adjustments? I would say since January I've had to adjust the neck at least three times.


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Fri Apr 05, 2013 5:17 pm
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How is it being stored?

Also, are the stock strings still on it and if not stock strings then what strings? Sometimes a new instrument requires an extra tweak here or there but usually seasonal adjustments are needed after it settles in, but what I call seasonal adjustments would not be monthly.

Some string sets have higher tension than the norm, which can require extra adjustments even with a seasoned and previously stable neck.

If those are normal tension strings and it is being stored correctly then hopefully it will settle down soon.


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 10:15 am
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frankb56 wrote:
I purchased a Fender Blacktop Jazz Bass Regular White Chrome Pearl back in January this year. I'm a guitarist/song writer who needed a bass for some routine recording licks.

The problem I have is it seems the neck frequently needs adjustment (Concave). It's kept in a pretty consistent room...70 D F, 50% humidity. Is it normal for these basses to need frequent adjustments? I would say since January I've had to adjust the neck at least three times.



I've got a black top Jazz Bass too , my first bass . The truss rod on mine has been adjusted once , the day I brought it home , that was Oct 2012. Since then it has needed no further tweaking although I may take it to have it set up , the reason being , the fret ends need to be dressed. I'm also thinking about putting on a set of flat wound strings , I'm told that will put additional tension on the neck ? , true or not ? I can't say , I'm no expert on guitar setup so my opinion is simply based on my observations or what I've been told. My bass is not stored in a case , it's on a Hercules stand , the weight supported mostly by the headstock. Most of my gear is kept in my basement , which is fully developed and carpeted . I keep an eye on the humidity throughout the house , usually it's around 50% , never below 40%.


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 6:02 pm
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Regarding flats and string tension, the amount of tension varies from set to set even among the same brand.

Highest tension flat? Labella 760M known as The Jamerson Set also known as The Original OLDIE set. Labella makes some substantially lower tension sets also in the 760 series such as the 760FL.

Lowest tension flat? Thomastik-Infeld JF344 Jazz Flat. The Jazz Flats have lower tension than any roundwound I know about too. But the TI Jazz Flats sound far different from most flats.

There are some high tension roundwound strings too. It isn't just flats that have high tension.


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Sun Apr 07, 2013 8:35 pm
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I agree that seasonal adjustments are a factor in keeping a bass in shape. I have to do that with my older Fenders when we go from Winter into Summer AND not necessarily every year.
I do not store any of my basses or guitars out of the case. I stand the cases up as straight as I can. I almost never have to tweek necks- just the two old Fenders. But that's just me and who cares? I don't know.


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 8:40 am
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[quote="brotherdave"]How is it being stored?

I store it out of the case, upright on one of those stands that hold seven guitars. I keep my guitars on the same stand but they are all in soft gig bags, only the bass is exposed. However, I monitor the room and it rarely goes over 75 d f and 50-60% humidity. Also, I have not changed the strings (original factory ones).

Should I change the strings. perhaps to lighter strings?


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Mon Apr 08, 2013 4:55 pm
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45 to 105 should be within tolerance for a new Fender. 50's and above may need a tweek. All mine have 45 to 105 and like I said - I hardly ever touch the truss rods.


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Post subject: Re: Blacktop Jazz Bass
Posted: Tue Apr 09, 2013 7:31 am
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45-105's I will try them, thanks.


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