jem7bsb setup questions

Okan2 · #1 01-17-2007, 04:21 AM

Ok guys. I need some of your expertise now!

I've owned this jem7bsb for some time and I haven't played it for a couple of years. Now I want to set it up and start using it again and I'm having problems with the setup.

To start with, the tremolo angle is nothing close to neutral, it is significantly raised above neutral. The problem is that I don't have much space to tighten the tremolo claw springs (I took pictures, but I'm not able to post them at the time being, I'll try to get that done as soon as possible). In this case I would have to install extra springs, or harder ones I guess, but wouldn't that really stiffen the tremolo? I use 9's on the guitar so I guess it should be possible to handle them with 3 springs.

Second point: The action height of the frets 10-24 is really high (maybe 4-5 mm at the 24th). Even when I pull the tremolo to neutral position with the bar, the action height doesn't seem to change much, I mean to say even if set the angle neutral, I would still have very high action. As far as I can remember the tremolo height was set as low as possible, I couldn't go any lower.

The problem is not the nut height, because once I press the first fret the action height doesn't seem to change at all for the higher frets.

Well, how should I fix the tremolo angle problem, and how do I get lower action. I would really appreciate any help...

Regards,
Okan

Davey · #2 01-17-2007, 04:38 AM

I'd get some new springs and if you're still having trouble use 4 springs in a V-shape.

Also, it sounds like you need to adjusts the truss rod to get a lower action. Be careful though as excessive turning of the truss can permanently damage your neck.

jb4674 · #3 01-17-2007, 08:24 AM

I would first post the pictures so we can exactly see what's going on in there. It seems odd that the trem is raised as much as you're describing with .9's in there.

Jimmy

Okan2 · #4 01-17-2007, 04:59 PM

Ok guys, here are the pictures...

First the tremolo angle:

The claw springs (How far can I bury the screws in the body?):

And the action:

crevis · #5 01-17-2007, 05:07 PM

I assume youve put 10s on, the standard springs are made for 9s

jb4674 · #6 01-17-2007, 05:08 PM

2 questions...

1. when was the lasttime you changed the strings?

2. what is the current tuning of the guitar?

Jimmy

P.S.: When you adjusted the springs, did you loosened the nut?

Okan2 · #7 01-18-2007, 04:08 AM

Well I definitely have 9's on the guitar, and I've changed the strings two weeks ago.

I have the standard tuning, but I couldn't really understand what you meant by loosening the nut. If you mean the locking nuts, well of course I did...

Could it be the case that the springs are worn out and do not have enough tension anymore? But as I've mentioned before, the correct angle still wouldn't solve the action problem. Tell me if any more pictures can further clarify the situation..

Thanks for the help so far,
Okan

eviltwin · #8 01-18-2007, 05:50 AM

springs won't wear out like that, you can screw them into the wood a bit more.

Check the angle by looking at the knife insert, not the LoPro base, which is angled up anyway. It looks ok-ish to me, I would put the trem a bit higher (by raising the trem posts)

Is there a lot of bow in the neck? you may need to adjust the trussrod.

crevis · #9 01-18-2007, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Okan2

Well I definitely have 9's on the guitar, and I've changed the strings two weeks ago.

My bad, Im use to edge pro lying flat, the angle actually is about normal for a lo pro. Do you have 9 - 42 or 9 - 46.

albee1952 · #10 01-21-2007, 01:00 AM

BTW, you can bury the claw screws. I keep several thin strips of wood in different thickness and I like to slip one under the back of the bridge and crank the claw all the way so the trem sits on the block and achieves the correct angle. Then when the bridge height is set, I tune it and set intonation. Then I lockthe nut, remove the wood block and back out the claw until tuning is back to pitch. This method has been working great for 2 years now.

Okan2 · #11 01-21-2007, 10:09 AM

Ok Guys,

thanks a lot for the suggestions so far. BTW I'm nor sure if I've 9-42's or 9-46's on, but I guess 9-42's. I have taken some more pictures, and have some new ideas as to what the problem could be.

Once again the tremolo angle (a better photo this time)...

And this is how it should look (according to my understanding) when it's really set neutral...

Question: Do you guys think I have enough space to bury the claw screws into the body to make this kind of angle difference?

The action at the 24th fret...

The neck bow...

And finally the action at the 7'th fret with the 1st and 24th depressed..

I read on the Ibanez Rules site that many of these guitars require a neck shim to raise the fretboard and lower the action. Could this be the case for me? And do I need truss rod adjustment? From the neck photo you can see that the neck is slightly bent towards the inside, and the action at the 7th is a bit too high (more than 0.7mm) when the 1st and 24th are depressed. Should I go on with the truss rod adjustment, or is it too risky for a guy who doesn't know much?

What should be the order for me then? Should I start from scratch and exactly follow the steps on the setup page? Anyway guys thanks for your concern. Help me get this done once and for all...

Cheers,
Okan

eviltwin · #12 01-21-2007, 11:37 AM

Trussrod adjustment shouldn't be very hard. The order is important but tweaking the trussrod a bit should be possible withhout adjusting much else, you can always undo the adjustment.

I still think your trem is set too low, I like to see half the knife edge exposed, but you are right about the angle; it could be set a bit lower. It won't need much.

The pictures are clear but to be honest it's still difficult to judge action and angles from a picture. I think setting the neck higher (shimming) could help but the neck angle and bow are more important, IMHO there is too much bow (your last picture) but the neck angle appears ok. Don't bother with a neck shim (it's easier to adjust pickup and trem height) unless the angle is really off.

So my advice:
-check the nut (you may have done this but there's no picture)
-adjust trussrod (to get the 7th fret action to below .5mm with 1st and 24th fretted)
-set trem height (I'm guessing less than .5mm extra )
-set trem angle (this is more work than the others)

swordio777 · #13 01-24-2007, 06:12 PM

I dont think your bridge angle is too far out - its maybe leaning forward a tiny bit but nothing to worry about. The knife edges should be parallel with the top of the body. It definitely sounds like a truss rod problem to me.

waylay00 · #14 01-24-2007, 07:36 PM

Get a neck shim and a truss adjustment, and you should be fine. You have WAY too much relief.

Randy Rhoads · #15 01-24-2007, 08:20 PM

^ exactly....... your guitars neck is shaped like a bow,do not overtgighten the trussrod, do it incremetally, (even if you have to wind and unwind the strings a few times) go slow and youll find the Ibanez neck is very good for adjustements