Help with lowering BASS String Action!?

Question

I bought a new 4-string Laguna bass a while back and the action was at a comfortable (probably medium) height. When i bought some nice $40 elixir strings that were around the same gauges (probably slightly bigger or smaller), the bass had no fret buzzing at all until a few weeks later when it became unbearable to play due to fret buzzing. I brought the bass to guitar center and the guy raised the action for me but it is now too high and hard to play, i cant get used to it.

How can i lower the action again to where it doesn't buzz? Do i need to buy bigger or smaller strings? Do i need to do something else?

Please help!

Bass: http://www.guitarcenter.com/Laguna-LB224-Electric-Bass-104847520-i1415189.gc

Answer 1

Daniel; Your change of strings likely did affect the neck's adjustment of the truss rod (keeps it straight under tension). You should look locally for a knowledgeable guitar repair person or shop. Raising bridge saddles or height is one way but it is something you adjust once your neck is as straight (as possible) under tension of your chosen string gauge. If you are happy with the string gauge you have now, take it to a shop that can do a quick adjust for you-a shop that wants your business will not make it out to be rocket science as it may need a couple tweaks over the course of a short time. Guitar Center should be this knowledgeable and I like my local store in madison, WI but it's not always the case. The employee should have checked it in to the service department for a better customer service experience but of course you'll pay a bit more too. It is easy to find reference material on this stuff if you want to learn for yourself but it can be a long hard road off the beaten path to what you really want to do which is "play". Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Anytime you switch string gauges you are either adding to or reducing tension on the neck. This will affect the amount of relief in the neck which can cause string buzz. It also affects your action and possibly your intonation to a slight degree. So , when you change string gauges you need to get the bass set up to accept the new gauge. In your case it's just a trussrod , action and intonation adjustment. It shouldn't take more than 10 or 15 minutes for a good tech and it won't cost you a bundle either.I charge $40 for a basic setup and you supply the strings. Since you already have the new strings installed I would only charge you $25 or $30, provided there are no other issues involved. Any bass or guitar that is played on a regular basis should be setup once or twice a year to keep it at it's best. If you have a good setup done your bass will most likely play and sound better than it did when it was new because most factory setups are hastily done and usually leave a lot to be desired. The folks at guitar center should of told you all of this. Anyway, find yourself a good guitar tech and get your bass setup at regular intervals, I don't think you'll regret it.

Answer 3

Humidity outcomes the neck now and back. the two the place that is saved had gotten by surprise too moist or too dry. The frets are effected. i'm no longer a great guitar tech, I desire i replaced into, yet I recommend you get a dehumidifier and a humidifier to make a storage place to be precisely appropriate. Kinda sounds out of your description that the frets rose up somewhat on your third be concerned, yet incredibly, i choose a guitar tech to assist me as i'm no longer great at a thank you to restoration issues like this.