Big Problem!

[onenationunderagroove]

Guys I am having a big problem with my bass. I have zero fretbuzz at the moment but this is only because i set the action pretty high. Unfortunately thats the only way I can avoid fretbuzz. What should I do? I would ask this in the beginner section but the stuff thats said there is very confusing. Everyone seems to have a different idea of what relief is, what concave is, etc. Let me go through a few things:
1. At the moment, my neck is adjusted to bend inwards, it bends away from the strings, I did this by loosening the truss rod. If I am correct, your bass neck requires a little of this bend correct? Is the proper term for this relief? Concave?
2. At some points I would only have fretbuzz on the 5th fret but not on the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, etc. frets...
3. How high should action regularly be, just so I can tell you where I am. How do you measure this?

Thanks so much, I really appreciate any response.

[nopicks4me]

action height depends on the bass. what type of bass are you playing.
I also dont think your neck should have any curve to it at all, that could lead to problems. someone smarter will come along.

[fleakeepr666]

Well, to start with, the neck has a curve to it, but it shouldn't at all be visible. This is to let the strings vibrate back and forth. I wouldn't mess with it that much and just go to a shop and get a professional set up. It might just be a bad bass. What is it, by the way?

[onenationunderagroove]

its a 'ray, so I know its not bad.

[fleakeepr666]

Yeah, then I would take it in. Or try a new set of strings.

[onenationunderagroove]

really? how would a new set of strings help?

[fleakeepr666]

Well I find that sometimes I get crazy buzz with certain sets of strings, and then with others; none at all. Or I could be going insane.

[MyFriendOfMisery]

I would take it to a shop since your not able to fix, not to say that your stupid or anything. Sometimes you need to leave it to the pro's. :thumb:

[Misanthropic]

It'd be costly to bring your basses to a shop every time they need to be set up.

Here's a good page:

http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/stand%20maint.htm#TRA

not sure if it's what you're really looking for though.

[kilian]

Every string has another tension and therefore it pulls the neck harder or softer towards the bridge.

But in the end:

It's your neck.

Fret your first fret and put your right elbow on the 15th fret. Now tap on the 8th fret with your right hand. I bet that you have quite some space there to tap. Now if you feel comfortable to adjust your bass yourself read the following link. If you don't feel comfortable, bring it to a shop and look closely. You pay a lot for it, so you may also take a look. If you may not take a look at how they do it, go to the next shop.

http://www.sputnikmusic.com/lesson.php?lessonid=159
Your truss rod is like this if it's a real Stingray :thumb:

http://www.joeysbassnotes.com/TipsPics/TRAdj2pg.jpg