Floating bridge!

[Julian Arnold (jarnold)]

Hello,
 
I have an Epic Bass, and I think the world of it.  My previous bass was my Dad's 1970 fender copy.  Complete with very flat frets!!
 
I have a question.  On the Epic it is meant to have a bolt-on neck right?  I bought it in the Guitar Centre in San Francisco in 1996.
 
It also has an adjustable bridge which I unwittingly adjusted.  It still sounds in tune but the strings can sometimes buzz against the frets, whether I play an open string or not.  I do use light gauge strings but have I messed up the geometry of the bass....?? :-O
 
Jules

[Rob Steen (rob_steen)]

Hi Julian!
 
Are you still in Dublin these days? How are things?
 
The Epic doesn't have a bolt-on neck, it should have a 'set' neck where the neck is set well into the body and glued.
 
If all you adjusted was the bridge you might have brought the action down too low, or the neck truss rods might need an adjustment to get rid of the buzz. In some set-ups a little fret-buzz is normal, the question is how much do you want?
 
It sounds like you are not used to setting up a bass, I'd recommend bringing to a guitar tech and get them to set it up the way YOU want. if you're still in Dublin (assuming you are the Julian Arnold I know) then I could recommend some people who could do that or I might be able to look at it for you (though I'm not very good at set-ups I might be able to point you in the right direction).
 
Respond and we'll see what can happen.
 
All the best,
Rob.

[Julian Arnold (jarnold)]

Rob!
How in the world are you??  Haven't seen your name around in a while.  I'm still in Dublin for the moment, may go to California towards the end of the year.  Appreciate the detailed response!! it does clear things up allright.
 
I put strings on the bass that are too light (30-50-65-85) and they bouce all around the place.  As you know, the nut and bridge are adjustable.  Will put 30-50-70-90 strings on it and then correct the bridge.  My only concern was I may have knocked out the tuning.  Doesn't look like I have though.
 
I'd still like to obtain those folks names from you as I'm interested in gigging with thte bass, know any keyboard/percussionists looking for a bassist???
 
I can be reached on  and  
 
Tell me, what have you been up to recently?
 
Julian

[mica]

We set up the basses with medium strings (45-65-80-105 on a 4-string). If you change them as much as you have, it's really best to get the nut and bridge saddles slot for the strings you prefer.  
 
If you are in California later this year, we'll be happy to perform these services for you.

[Julian Arnold (jarnold)]

Mica,
How are things?  Did you receive my email regarding registering my bass with your good selves?  I'm keen to have records of the bass's existence just in case anything happened to it.
 
Julian

[mica]

Hi Julian,
 
Yes, I received your email yesterday, thank you. Laurel is now handling the research department and  I forwarded the message to her. She generally fulfills registration requests on Thursday, so you should be hearing from her tomorrow.