Help! Neck Problem on 5 String Stingray

[Farmer61]

I've just had the action on my 5 string stingray lowered (bought bass back in September 2nde hand). The store where I took the bass is a Ernie Ball reseller. Anyway the guy who owns the shop stated "the neck is rubbish, I've lowered the action as best I can but there is nothing more I can do".

His point was that there is a lack of curviture across the neck and a flattenning out on the G String.

Basically he tried adjusting the trussrod but commented that "that's why Ricky's have 2 trussrods"

Now, I did not buy the bass from him (Sour grapes?) and the sound is fantastic....but I'm concerned that a neck on a bass that is less than 2 years old can be so bad. The bass has been treated well and is in good nick.

Any help, constructive comments or whether there is anything I can do would be gratefully received.........

 

[bovinehost]

I've just had the action on my 5 string stingray lowered (bought bass back in September 2nde hand). The store where I took the bass is a Ernie Ball reseller. Anyway the guy who owns the shop stated "the neck is rubbish, I've lowered the action as best I can but there is nothing more I can do".

His point was that there is a lack of curviture across the neck and a flattenning out on the G String.

Basically he tried adjusting the trussrod but commented that "that's why Ricky's have 2 trussrods"

Now, I did not buy the bass from him (Sour grapes?) and the sound is fantastic....but I'm concerned that a neck on a bass that is less than 2 years old can be so bad. The bass has been treated well and is in good nick.

Any help, constructive comments or whether there is anything I can do would be gratefully received.........

This sort of thing comes up amazingly often on each and every bass forum on the internet. It's not specific to any brand or model; I see it with Fenders, Gibsons, you name it.

With the Music Man basses, it's my opinion that 99 times out of 100 - unless the bass has been abused somehow - the "tech" doing the adjustments has no freakin' idea what the hell he's doing.

Unfortunately, calling yourself a 'guitar tech' requires no documentation or special training. I myself am actually a bass setup guru. See? It may or may not be true, but I can say it with impunity. The police won't be around later to check my degree.

This may or may not be true of your man in Swindon. (Say hi to Colin Moulding for me, would you?) He might be right. This might be the one time in one hundred that something actually IS wrong. And who knows what sort of life your bass lived with its original owner(s)?

But internet diagnosis is a tricky business and should only be attempted by people who also have no freakin' idea what they're doing. So I won't be giving you advice on a bass I can't possibly get my eyeballs on, and neither should anyone else. The setup FAQ here at ernieball.com gives a pretty good lesson on what to do, but if you're not comfortable doing your own work, which I gather you aren't since you took it to Mister Guitar Tech, then what you need to do is exactly what you would do if a witch doctor told you that you had a serious medical condition: find an expert.

We have a few Brits here who can probably give you some ideas on who knows what to do. This is really the only good advice to be had over the internet.

Setting up a bass is not rocket science, though.

1. Check the neck for relief. If it's too flat, put some relief in it. If it has too much, flatten it out. Leave enough curvature so that the strings don't bang the frets.

2. Check saddle height. A little goes a long way and if the relief is correct and someone hasn't effed 'em up in the past, leave them alone.

3. Check intonation.

But again, if you're not clear on those steps and how to do it, I'd take it to a trusted person. Anyone who thinks the Rickenbacker truss rod system is good is likely out of their mind (I have one and I love it, but don't ask ME to start doing setups on it).

Stingray 5s are simple to adjust. I've had quite a few of them and have never come across one that could not be set up properly. (I don't know how many I've had - maybe thirty or so.)

But find an experienced tech. "The owner" might be a wonderful businessman and a great guy to have a drink with or maybe he's a fabulous musician, but there's no guarantee that he knows what he's doing with screwdrivers and wrenches or, God forbid, files. Find someone who does.

My bet is that your bass can be set up properly.

Jack

 

[iamcatwarrior]

With the Music Man basses, it's my opinion that 99 times out of 100 - unless the bass has been abused somehow - the "tech" doing the adjustments has no freakin' idea what the hell he's doing.

And this is why even I've started doing my own setups. I even have a copy of the Music Man bass setup guide included in my gear bag. (Go to the Ernie Ball homepage, Ernie Ball - Manufacturer of premium acoustic, electric, classical and bass guitar strings., click FAQ, and find the bit about how to do setups on basses.)

It sounds like your bass is fine, just needs a bit of neck relief. You might also just check the other strings for "flattening" (a lack of string clearance?). If something's weird, don't do anything -- just call Customer Service.

 

[Jimmyb]

Try giving Strings & Things a call in the morning.

Always worth getting a second opinion.

 

[maddog]

This:

... the guy who owns the shop stated "the neck is rubbish, I've lowered the action as best I can but there is nothing more I can do".

and

...but commented that "that's why Ricky's have 2 trussrods"

would be enough for me to visit another shop and get a second opinion.

 

[five7]

Listen to maddog.

 

[Big Poppa]

I hate experts.

 

[bovinehost]

I hate experts.

This is why we get along so well.

 

[Farmer61]

Cheers for the responses Chaps, I think I'll go get a 2nd opinon, in fairness to the store owner he's done my set up's for a while and this is the first time he's ever come back with any negative comments.

I've bought basses from him in the past so have been a good customer as well.

I'm not confident and don't have the time to do my own setups and I can see what he is talking about, I just need to know whether it's not a problem or a non issue because I'm sure it's going to nag at me.

I there is a problem as long as I can do something to fix it, I'll be satisfied.

Many thanks again

 

[mynan]

I "thought" I had a similar problem with my first SR5...sent it back to the factory and it came back perfect...with the same neck. I realize that you probably can't send it back to the factory, but I'm just saying that with the right person working on it you could probably get a perfect setup without replacing the neck.

 

[Big Poppa]

Im sorry but his comment on the trussrod lost me......How could the Sting Ray five be the most successful us built 5 string in history if you couldnt adjust the neck. I only have about 25 years experience to get it right.

 

[tombboy]

Im sorry but his comment on the trussrod lost me......How could the Sting Ray five be the most successful us built 5 string in history if you couldnt adjust the neck. I only have about 25 years experience to get it right.

And no-one is judging or doubting your experience. BP, I really don't think the OP is in any way dissin EBMM. The bass could have been leaning on a radiator for the past 'X' number of years. He did state that it was second hand and he also thanked everyone on here for their advice.. lets face it..... you treat your kids wrong and they turn out to be gits, then you've left them on the radiators too long.... this is gonna happen. No fault of the present owner, no fault of EBMM.... he's just looking for advice. The 'couldn't adjust the neck' comment came from his 'advisor'... ......

 

[oli@bass]

In general, good luthiers can work wonders. If not, either the luthier or the bass has a serious problem. Since your guitar tech was unable to fully explain the problem to you, I'd suggest to go for a second (or even third) opinion.

 

[Russel]

I'd say this is good advice you're getting.

If you ever decide to make time, setting up a bass can be lots of fun.
I personally get a great deal of enjoyment and satisfaction out of "honing" my basses to my taste.


Even if I am an amateur. I mean....expert.

 

[the unrepentant]

Wait, he couldn't loosen the truss rod enough? Now that's something i haven't heard of before....

 

[Big Poppa]

My comment was relating to the need for two truss rods....I rest my case

 

[tombboy]

My comment was relating to the need for two truss rods....I rest my case

I see it now. My bad BP.
Apologies offered.

 

[Farmer61]

I hate experts.

In your view what is my best course of action, I'm based in the UK and not sure where the best place to contact is. Customer Services in the US, is there a location in the UK/Europe.

Should I take it to another tech, can anyone recommend someone in the South of the UK.

Thanks again for all of you help.

 

[Grand Wazoo]

There is an excellent repair shop on the ground floor of Chandler Guitars store

Address: 300-302 Sandycombe Road, Kew, Richmond Surrey, TW9 3NG
Tel 020 8940 5874

Ask for Leon

I have had all my guitars and basses serviced there for the last 20+ years and they are the best in London

 

[Big Poppa]

I actually would recommend that you contact Strings and Things our uk distributor