Really high action!

[Rumbler41]

I just recently picked up an LTD F-205 from a local pawn shop for next to nothing. I purchased some new strings... .130 .100 .80 .65. .45. After putting the new strings on and making some major adjustments to the saddles on the bridge...the action on this guitar is still pretty bad. I even lowered the saddles down as low as humanly possible. The strings could STILL come down quite a considerable amount. Any suggestions as to what I can do? Thanks.

 

[two fingers]

You likely put on a new set of strings with much more tension than the last set.

This will require a truss rod adjustment.

Do NOT do that if you have never done one. You can literally ruin the neck of your new bass if you do it incorrectly.

Go pay for a setup, or find an experienced bass or guitar player near you who knows how to do them.


By the way, Welcome to TalkBass!!!!!!

 

[sissy kathy]

...and welcome to TalkBass.

 

[Rumbler41]

You likely put on a new set of strings with much more tension than the last set.

This will require a truss rod adjustment.

Do NOT do that if you have never done one. You can literally ruin the neck of your new bass if you do it incorrectly.

Go pay for a setup, or find an experienced bass or guitar player near you who knows how to do them.


By the way, Welcome to TalkBass!!!!!!

Thanks. I'm sure that the truss rod has never been touched to be honest. I just had a major brain fart for some reason. I know how to adjust them properly. In this case it will be a pretty slow process considering how much it needs to be adjusted. Gotta let her adapt slowly. Thanks!

 

[two fingers]

Thanks. I'm sure that the truss rod has never been touched to be honest. I just had a major brain fart for some reason. I know how to adjust them properly. In this case it will be a pretty slow process considering how much it needs to be adjusted. Gotta let her adapt slowly. Thanks!

Sweet! Sounds like you have it under control.

Now that we got that sorted out, let's talk TalkBass tradition.

It's the "NBD" thread.

NBD = New Bass Day

That's what we do when we acquire another bass, be it new or used. We post pics and tell why we like it.

BUT, no pics = no bass.

 

[96tbird]

Thanks. I'm sure that the truss rod has never been touched to be honest. I just had a major brain fart for some reason. I know how to adjust them properly. In this case it will be a pretty slow process considering how much it needs to be adjusted. Gotta let her adapt slowly. Thanks!

Time to Adapt = fallacy. Adjust it to where you need it now, just don’t expect the rod to do the work. Here’s the correct way to do it. Watch.

 

[Linnin]

The strings could STILL come down quite a considerable amount. Any suggestions as to what I can do? Thanks.

Install a shim between the body and neck. That will raise the neck up towards the strings. You need to maintain some adjustment at the bridge. The last thing you want to have is all your saddles bottomed out.

 

[202dy]

Analyze then adjust:

1. Relief.
2. String height.
3. Intonation.

In that order.

There are no other adjustments that can be made until the relief is set. If after the second step is completed and found to be unsatisfactory, then and only then is it time to consider a shim for the neck.