Hello All!
After shedding on my Stick for 8 years at home, I was asked to do the bass/chordal role in a jazz/funk quintet. The problem is that this is really my first time attempting to set up the instrument properly. I understand the truss rod adjustments and the bridge height screws, and I have set the truss rod and individual string heights. I'm using heavy strings, and my clearance from the underside of the lowest bass string to the top of the rail is 9/16". The bridge screw is tightened all the way, and it still seems high (although I understand the heavier strings need more vibrating space). I'm trying to get rid of that "slappy" sound on the upper frets of the lower 2 bass strings. I'm sure you folks know what I mean,---it sounds like an early '60's imported imitation bass guitar! While getting my chops together for this band, I realized that I just don't play up there,---I translate everything down to the next set of strings. But that has it's own limitations. Any ideas or info that anyone has will be greatly appreciated! I notice that when I hear Greg or Steve or any of the other guys and girls play on videos, I don't hear that sound. Thanks in advance.

chuckd

Hi Chuck - I don't have the rails but that 9/16" seems to be quite high - way too high.
Something is amiss. I believe that there are two different bridge height screw lengths. Sounds like you have the longer ones. They were to accommodate the heavy bass strings where the core was exposed at the bridge. You need to lower that/those strings. The sound you describe would certainly be 'imitation bass guitar' since those strings are quite far from the pickup also. You're just getting the higher harmonics of the tone as you play.
If your neck is adjusted properly as you say, you should get the shorter bridge height screws for those low strings. Also - depending on your pickup - mine is the Stickup - your tone can be altered there of course. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
Sean Rhys Stirling

Hi Chuck,

If I had to guess at a problem, I'd say that your truss is probably cranked too far back, and you're compensating for it by raising the bridge screws too high. This would lead to the symptoms you suggest, including the fret rattle near the nut.

Photos (and skype) are the best diagnostic tools. I've helped lots of players correct setup difficulties this way. Check out this thread and you'll see what I mean:

http://www.stickist.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=704

What Sean said about the longer bridge screws for the two lowest bass strings is true. If you had heavy or medium strings on the instrument several years ago SE was using a plain core string that required a longer bridge screw for those strings.

If you haven't changed your strings in a while, then you may want to get the standard screws from them for the two lowest bass strings.

Chuck I had almost that exact problem on stick #1007-follow Gregs advice-get the thing tuned to pitch first-then adjust the rod is the way I do it-then bridge and nut height-the action should be super low and easy to play.
Mike

Maybe I'm reading the post wrong - Chuck do you mean you have the bridge screw turned all the way In (as low as it can go) and the string is still to high?

If that is the case maybe you need a new screw for the bridge. I don't recall if the lowest heavy gauge string had a tapered end or not...if not it might be sitting on top of the bridge screw and not in the groove. I thought at one time Stick Ent. offered replacement screw(s) for the heavier gauge strings that allowed the string to sit in the groove which would allow it to be adjusted closer.

I'll use this post as a hijacking point, since I did a setup yesterday and am very pleased with my results.

I've had a used polycarb stick for about 3 years now, and I'd always thought that maybe the fretwork was shot 'cause I couldn't quite get the super low action and such that makes sticks play well. Recently, though, I discovered the extreme importance of relief adjustment. I've been setting my guitars up recently with very much success, the key being to adjust the relief to as flat as possible. I do this by holding down the outside strings at the first and last frets and eyeball the 7th to 9th fret area. Feeler guages can be used for this, but my goal was to get the strings barely crossing over the top of the frets. Since finally realizing the importance of this my guitars have been playing lower and cleaner than ever.

The stick was a little trickier though. The old polycarb hasn't an adjustable truss rod, so I detuned the strings until the relief was as flat as I could get it. I must have a pretty heavy guage set on, because it's tuned about 2.5 steps lower than the tuning guide on the front page of my copy of Free Hands. Then I went about setting string height. It's important to remember that height is adjustable on both ends, and the height screws can be somewhat interactive. All said and done, I haven't the exact measurements on my string heights, but they look pretty darn low (Guessing roughly 1-3/64ths depending on string and fretboard area).

The main thing is, after having it for three years and thinking it was as good as it could get, I'm now playing with a lighter tap and enjoying the stick way more than ever before.

BTW, this is nothing new, I think on stick.com and this website these same things have been reiterated about 1000's of times. But, seeing is believing, and I'm finally a true believer.

The moral of the story is to not give up on your old stick, it might just need a little help.