Twisted Fender necks?

[bassbourne]

So my bass (a Fender American Pro) has had issues with buzzing on the G string only from frets 3 to 6. I first believed this to be a relief issue and, although adding more relief alleviated the issue to some degree, it didn’t eliminate it. I’ve been to a tech twice who has levelled the frets and replaced the nut (the original nut was cut too low), yet the buzzing persists. I started to suspect a twist in the neck. Having sighted down the back of the neck using a straight edge at a right angle on the back of the headstock, the body does seem to be ever so slightly out of alignment with the headstock.

Out of curiosity, I went to a bunch of guitar stores and tried out (“examined”) numerous Fender basses, and to my surprise, the majority of them suffered from this very same issue, namely fret-buzz on the lower frets of the G string only, whether or not the bass had a generous amount of relief.

Has anybody else ever noticed this and been able to diagnose the issue? I’m starting to wonder whether my bass’s neck is actually twisted after all. On the other hand, could Fender be shipping out a ton of basses with twisted necks?

 

[bassbourne]

May not be of any use, but here as some photos of my neck.

 

[Turnaround]

You can't really see a slight twist viewing the neck like that. The tapered nut (lower on the G string side) tricks the eye into seeing a twist that may not be there. You did it the correct way by laying a straight edge across the back of the headstock. But you must keep the straightedge parallel to the nut - even a slight angle will make it appear that the neck is twisted. Not doubting you, just pointing out to others that are reading the thread.

A twist in a neck does not necessarily cause problems, especially if the frets have been levelled properly - i.e. level along the string paths. How much relief is there on the G-string side of the neck currently?

 

[bassbourne]

Thanks for the info.

How should I measure the relief on the G string side of the neck (to be sure I’m doing it right)?

Also can relief differ on either side of the neck without a twist or should it be the same?

And one more general question, if the bass does have a twist, can it get worse over time?

 

[Turnaround]

Thanks for the info.

How should I measure the relief on the G string side of the neck (to be sure I’m doing it right)?

Also can relief differ on either side of the neck without a twist or should it be the same?

And one more general question, if the bass does have a twist, can it get worse over time?

1. Capo the first fret, fret at the 17th and measure the gap between the G string and the 6th fret.
2. Yes there can be different amount of relief on either side of the beck without a twist.
3. Yes it could continue to twist further. Evenntually the internal stresses in the neck will even out and the neck will stabilize. That point of equilibrium mybe now - it’s a wait and see situation.

 

[bassbourne]

So I measured as you said and the G string is roughly 0.013 - 0.014”. Checked the E side too and that was similar, perhaps a bit more (0.014 - 0.015).

1. Capo the first fret, fret at the 17th and measure the gap between the G string and the 6th fret.
2. Yes there can be different amount of relief on either side of the beck without a twist.
3. Yes it could continue to twist further. Evenntually the internal stresses in the neck will even out and the neck will stabilize. That point of equilibrium mybe now - it’s a wait and see situation.

 

[bassbourne]

By the way, with your answer to my 3rd question, do you mean to say the neck could sort itself out eventually even if there is a twist?

 

[Turnaround]

By the way, with your answer to my 3rd question, do you mean to say the neck could sort itself out eventually even if there is a twist?

I am saying that the neck may come to a point where it twists no further. It is unlikely that it will return to an un-twisted state.

 

[bassbourne]

I am saying that the neck may come to a point where it twists no further. It is unlikely that it will return to an un-twisted state.

Ah I see. And what do you make of my measurements?

 

[Turnaround]

Ah I see. And what do you make of my measurements?

The relief measurements look fine. What is the string height at the 12th fret?

 

[bassbourne]

The relief measurements look fine. What is the string height at the 12th fret?

Roughly 2mm on the G side (and roughly 2.5mm on the E side).

 

[Turnaround]

Roughly 2mm on the G side (and roughly 2.5mm on the E side).

Looks typical of a medium-low action. You might try raising the G string saddle a hair. I can't comment on the quality of the fret levelling that was done without checking it myself. If you have a fret rocker you could check for high frets along the G string path. The other thing you might try is a new G string - a kink in the existing string can cause buzzing to occur.