JJ Bass Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Hi all need some 'elp! Finally got a Jaydee (GA24) - been waiting to get one for years, and I have some issues! I've just put a set of strings on (30-90 of course!) and slackend the truss rod to nothing and I still can't get the action right. The E is playing F - the nut is that low! Then it plays up the neck ok. I took it to a veteran luthier who lives down the road and all he did was raise the bridge making the strings so high it was nasty to play... If I tighten the truss up it just goes up in the middle. He suggested putting heavier strings, which for me is no good, they aren't what I use, but he thought it would create enough tension to raise the neck up. Do I need to put a slightly higher profile nut on it or.....??? I don't really want to spend out on it as I'm sure its something simple enough - has anyone else had the same problem? I know that Jaydee's are known for needing alot of truss rod attention, but I can't get it to sit right. Any help would be gratefully received Look forward to hearing from you! J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ou7shined Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 Don't tighten your tr, loosen it off. If that doesn't work try some very thin packing under your nut.. some thin wood veneer maybe. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fender73 Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 yep, sounds like the nut may need to be higher. You could always try and ring John for advice? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 There were a number of Jaydees that had issues back in the late 80's but 20 years should have taken care of most of those by now. It does sound as though the nut has been cut too deep though if you're catching the first fret. If you want to check you can set it up properly before going down the replacement nut route then just slacken the strings off a little and shove a little bit of card between the nut slot and the string as a temporary shim and try setting it up again. If that works for you then replacing the nut is definately the right route to go down. HTH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 thanks all, I've got the truss rod 'nut' past where it can get any looser... I'm slightly reluctant to remove the nut even though I've done it other basses, just none were as expensive and salivated over by me!! I will try it though - is there a tip to removing the nut from a Jaydee as the other ones I did were far cheaper and came off very easily! I've put a 100 and 80 on and the E is still 'F' so adding tension hasn't solved it I look forward to some more tips on nutting!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 28, 2012 Author Share Posted January 28, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1327790336' post='1516955'] There were a number of Jaydees that had issues back in the late 80's but 20 years should have taken care of most of those by now. It does sound as though the nut has been cut too deep though if you're catching the first fret. If you want to check you can set it up properly before going down the replacement nut route then just slacken the strings off a little and shove a little bit of card between the nut slot and the string as a temporary shim and try setting it up again. If that works for you then replacing the nut is definately the right route to go down. HTH [/quote] I don't think this one has ever been back to Jaydee, its had one owner since 1987! I'll try a trusty bit of a fag packet to raise it up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 28, 2012 Share Posted January 28, 2012 (edited) [quote name='jonannlou' timestamp='1327791911' post='1516979'] I don't think this one has ever been back to Jaydee, its had one owner since 1987! I'll try a trusty bit of a fag packet to raise it up! [/quote] The point I was clumsily trying to make is that, if this instrument [b]was[/b] one of the ones that have issues, it's potentially been 'out there' for 20 odd years and, if there was a major defect with it, it would probably have come to light and been fixed long ago. I'd use a scrap of fag packet as well, but it doesn't sound very technical when you put it like that. Edited January 28, 2012 by icastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBod Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Sounds like the nut needs to be re-cut or replaced to suit your choice of strings - raising it with a shim will do as a quick fix, but getting it out cleanly (its probably well lacquered in place!) isn't easy. Once the nut is done then concentrate on the truss rod/neck issue. Tuning the bass slightly sharp for a few days may help the neck "give" a bit and leave you with a slight bit of relief. Laminated necks can be very stiff and sometimes won't set up well with lighter strings...but its a JD, so I wouldn't expect that to be a problem! I had one a few years ago (1985/6 model) and it was very well behaved with both 35-95 strings and regular 45-105. Good luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1327792294' post='1516983'] The point I was clumsily trying to make is that, if this instrument [b]was[/b] one of the ones that have issues, it's potentially been 'out there' for 20 odd years and, if there was a major defect with it, it would probably have come to light and been fixed long ago. I'd use a scrap of fag packet as well, but it doesn't sound very technical when you put it like that. [/quote] Well the fag packet scrap bit has worked but its still a little 'dead spot like' between the 3rd and 7th frets, but its does sound like a Jaydee now Is the allan key bit to lower the pick ups usually a bugger to move? Might just be my old keys!! I've used 3 or 4 layers of fag-packet paper and its gone up well, I wouldn't getting a brass one put in, but are they a sod to put in? Only my old Zoot Prototype had that and it looked good and each string was adjustable Thanks for the all help by the way J Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 [quote name='BassBod' timestamp='1327795298' post='1517028'] Sounds like the nut needs to be re-cut or replaced to suit your choice of strings - raising it with a shim will do as a quick fix, but getting it out cleanly (its probably well lacquered in place!) isn't easy. Once the nut is done then concentrate on the truss rod/neck issue. Tuning the bass slightly sharp for a few days may help the neck "give" a bit and leave you with a slight bit of relief. Laminated necks can be very stiff and sometimes won't set up well with lighter strings...but its a JD, so I wouldn't expect that to be a problem! I had one a few years ago (1985/6 model) and it was very well behaved with both 35-95 strings and regular 45-105. Good luck [/quote] Just realised the E and A are 85 and 65 so might be best to find the 90-70 to give it a little more tension?? The temporary shim has worked but still have some near deap spots on the 3rd -7th frets.... Nut came out ok with no damage - phew Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Slugs of fag-packet on a JayDee?? Sacrilige!!! JD's a really good guy - phone the bugger! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Big_Stu' timestamp='1327867540' post='1518002'] Slugs of fag-packet on a JayDee?? Sacrilige!!! [/quote] Worry not, they were recommended purely as a temporary measure to test the assumption that a nut change would do the trick, or whether there was something more serious involved. Edited January 29, 2012 by icastle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MB1 Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Finally got a Jaydee (GA24) - been waiting to get one for years, and I have some issues! I've just put a set of strings on (30-90 of course!) and slackend the truss rod to nothing and I still can't get the action right. The E is playing F - the nut is that low! Then it plays up the neck ok. I took it to a veteran luthier who lives down the road and all he did was raise the bridge making the strings so high it was nasty to play... If I tighten the truss up it just goes up in the middle. He suggested putting heavier strings, which for me is no good, they aren't what I use, but he thought it would create enough tension to raise the neck up. Do I need to put a slightly higher profile nut on it or.....??? I don't really want to spend out on it as I'm sure its something simple enough - has anyone else had the same problem? I know that Jaydee's are known for needing alot of truss rod attention, but I can't get it to sit right. Any help would be gratefully received Look forward to hearing from you! J MB1. Jaydee Basses 0121 773 5711.....why dont you give em a call? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted January 29, 2012 Share Posted January 29, 2012 Hi Jonathon Glad to hear that you got a GA24 though it must be a proper ar53ache having problems.. Got to agree with Stu - John's a top fella - give him a ring/email ([email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email]) - I'm sure that he'll come to your rescue.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 thanks everyone for you help. I'll give John a call tomorrow, theres nothing that I would do that is sacridge to a Jaydee! I'm still getting quite alot of fret buzz and the action is higher than I want it, I've dug out a 90 and 70 to replace the 85 and 65 but no difference. Maybe it needs a fret dress?? Its fine past the 9th or so fret. The nut for the truss rod is basically as loose as it can be (near enough moveable with my fingers) The neck looks pretty straight, with any tension on it it will go up in the mid section.... What does the screw at the bottom of the bass do? Is it just for protection? Or it is truss rod related? I don't really want to send my bass away as its my only bass and after waiting for donkeys years to play/own one I want to do so! The 18v elecs are a dream Look forward to hearing from you all! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 29, 2012 Author Share Posted January 29, 2012 [quote name='TheGreek' timestamp='1327873480' post='1518158'] Hi Jonathon Glad to hear that you got a GA24 though it must be a proper ar53ache having problems.. Got to agree with Stu - John's a top fella - give him a ring/email ([email="[email protected]"][email protected][/email]) - I'm sure that he'll come to your rescue.. [/quote] Will do tomorrow... Can the truss be adjusted once the nut is off? Ie can you make it even looser turning the truss itself? Just a though!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [quote name='jonannlou' timestamp='1327880924' post='1518353'] Ie can you make it even looser turning the truss itself? Just a though!! [/quote] Nope. Truss rods work in one direction only. Tightening a truss rod pulls the neck 'back' to compensate for the tension of the strings pulling the neck forwards. Once the truss rod is fully slackened it's effectively doing nothing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 (edited) [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1327883213' post='1518386'] Nope. Truss rods work in one direction only. Tightening a truss rod pulls the neck 'back' to compensate for the tension of the strings pulling the neck forwards. Once the truss rod is fully slackened it's effectively doing nothing. [/quote] All that happens if I tighten it the mid section of the neck bows outwards a little, I just need a tad more and it looks as if it would help... Any ideas? Edited January 30, 2012 by jonannlou Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RhysP Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [quote name='jonannlou' timestamp='1327877942' post='1518293'] The 18v elecs are a dream [/quote] Are you sure it's an 18v circuit? From what I remember of my old Jaydee (which had a neck so unstable I spent 95% of the time I owned it adjusting the f***ing thing before I finally gave up on it) one of the two batteries was purely for powering the LED on the pickup selector. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeCee Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [quote name='RhysP' timestamp='1327904721' post='1518441'] Are you sure it's an 18v circuit? From what I remember of my old Jaydee (which had a neck so unstable I spent 95% of the time I owned it adjusting the f***ing thing before I finally gave up on it) one of the two batteries was purely for powering the LED on the pickup selector. [/quote] RhysP is correct, not an 18v circuit, one battery is for LED indicator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeCee Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [quote name='jonannlou' timestamp='1327877942' post='1518293'] What does the screw at the bottom of the bass do? Is it just for protection? Or it is truss rod related?[/quote] If you mean the screw in the tail, it's how the bass is secured in the spray booth. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeCee Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [quote name='jonannlou' timestamp='1327883816' post='1518395'] All that happens if I tighten it the mid section of the neck bows outwards a little, I just need a tad more and it looks as if it would help... Any ideas? [/quote] As many others have said, you need to call John and maybe make a visit to the workshop. Given the age of the bass it does sound a little like some of the problems John had when he switched to a different shorter truss rod for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [quote name='GeeCee' timestamp='1327931281' post='1518928'] As many others have said, you need to call John and maybe make a visit to the workshop. Given the age of the bass it does sound a little like some of the problems John had when he switched to a different shorter truss rod for a while. [/quote] Yes. That would certainly explain the 'mechanics' of how the middle of the neck is pulling forward. John might know which trussrod he'd have fitted to that particular bass from the serial number. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jdbm19 Posted January 30, 2012 Share Posted January 30, 2012 [i][u]jonannlou[/u][/i] Where the photo of your Jaydee GA24? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JJ Bass Posted January 30, 2012 Author Share Posted January 30, 2012 Pics to be added soon !! I'll give John a call tomorrow, I'm visiting a local luthier who's been recommended so we'll see what happens. My mistake, thought the 18v was both both pic ups, as i had the same on my Status 3000 I'll soon have some YT vids on to give the beasty a test run, from what I've seen the only fella playing a GA24 is George himself on there.... Just going to try a set of GHS 30-90's and see if it makes a difference. Would the fact its always had heavier strings make a difference? Thanks for everyones tips ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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