Bass set up procedure

[twangman]

So I'm thinking of taking my bass to sam ash to get it set up. I've never done this before, just wondering what exactly do they do? Is it worth it? It's kinda hard for me to trust someone with my bass. Please give me your insights on this.

Thanks

[mulchor]

We have a whole separate forum for set-up and repair. With a FAQ too, iirc.

[Muaguana]

If you want to set it up yourself, there's more than enough info on TB to help guide you, as mulchor said. As far as the "trust" thing goes, keep this in mind: a guitar tech from a reputable store like Sam Ash likely has years if not decades of experience doing this kind of thing. Enough experience for him to expect people to pay him to do something without screwing it up and damaging the instrument. If I were in your shoes and my biggest concern was the well-being of my bass, I would trust a guitar tech over myself any day of the week.

[twangman]

Thanks alot for sharing your opinion, makes a lot of sense

[jkramer5]

Originally Posted by Muaguana

If you want to set it up yourself, there's more than enough info on TB to help guide you, as mulchor said. As far as the "trust" thing goes, keep this in mind: a guitar tech from a reputable store like Sam Ash likely has years if not decades of experience doing this kind of thing. Enough experience for him to expect people to pay him to do something without screwing it up and damaging the instrument. If I were in your shoes and my biggest concern was the well-being of my bass, I would trust a guitar tech over myself any day of the week.

Or he could be like the guy that works in my local hell hole big box, discount, corporate store, and break the nut on your 2 week old, fret buzzing like it's a bee hive, not set up by the store so they can gouge you for another 65 bux Fender Jazz.


Ok that was 2 years ago I should let it go lol. Seriously, take a look at these videos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIzV9462xeE

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D4MdWzN_100

Not only does he go through the basics, but he demonstrates some very good ways to accomplish setting the relief and taking and then setting parts to the correct measurements.

One thing I'd recommend is that if it's possible, see if you can watch the tech do the setup.. Not in a clingy hover-ey way, but in a educational, I'm learning about my instrument kind of way.

[twangman]

Wow, very cool video. Seems like Carl knows what he's talking about. I'm definitely going to try and watch as much of the set up as I can. Thanks boss!

[jkramer5]

Just passing it along, someone else linked to then the other day and they helped me a great deal. I'm learning too and altho I could get close, a few concepts just weren't clicking for me. I used a lot of trial and error.

His method of setting the relief works perfect, and I had the tools already. I got a few of my cheapie bass's perfect now and am well on the way to solving a few issues on a couple others.

[JxBass]

I use Fender's setup guide for my basses, Fender and non-Fender:

http://fender.com/support/bass_guitar_setup_guide.php

[Phalex]

Just go slowly, and don't force anything mechanical. Small increments of adjustment at a time. You really can't screw things up so bad that you can't undo what you did. Especially if you count the number (or fractions) of turns you turned a screw.

[Febs]

twangman, if you let people know where you are located, they may be able to refer you to a good setup guy.

[mulchor]

I dunno Sam Ash. My hunch, given the way retail works, is you're more likely to get a just-barely-graduated-high-school person than an experienced luthier.

But setting up a solid body bass isn't too involved. You CAN do it yourself, with basic tools.

On the other hand, the people who do this sort of work charge very little money to do it. It's like buying an oil change or having your lawn mowed.

[twangman]

Yeah that's what has me kinda worried I know it's 2 different departments but when I see how the retail people are... Makes me kinda worry. Also I'm in Fontana, ca, folks. I looked on fenders authorized services and sam ash was the closest to me

[JLS]

Originally Posted by twangman

Yeah that's what has me kinda worried I know it's 2 different departments but when I see how the retail people are... Makes me kinda worry. Also I'm in Fontana, ca, folks. I looked on fenders authorized services and sam ash was the closest to me

You don't need a, "Fender authorized" setup. You need a good setup, and that shouldn't be that hard to find in your area. Ask around.

[MNAirHead]

jerzy drozd download is a good start

[sammcgrath]

I think that's great advice if you can actually watch the luthier/samash tech set you up to see what he does.

But seriously, you can do it. It's very simple and the abundance of information on the internet is all to your advantage.

Even if someone sets it up, it might not be to your liking or playing style and every instrument is different. I've owned my bass for months (bought a US fender jazz) before having set the way I like it.

I play my bass and if i notice a string is too high from the fretboard, if it has too much buzz, is too far from the pickups, intoation is a bit off, etc, Ill tweak it on the spot. You just need the proper tools and the patience. Although there are basic fundamentals, it's really a matter of preference and how the instrument itself will respond.

I would have never guessed that having my strings a little further away from the fretboard actually gives my bass a way better bassy tone. And having my low E closer to the neck pickup makes it sound clearer and warmer when im playing loud with my band. I would have never known this had I made adjustments on my own where they were needed.

Adjust the neck straight with a little relief (curve) and adjust everything else accordingly. Strings matter, hardware, it's a combo of everything working harmoniously and a someone whos unfamiliar with your bass may not get the nuances just right for $50 or whatever a setup costs. Spend the $50 on the propers tools and you'll always be able to take care of it yourself.

I have faith in you. I was once in your position and now I very much enjoy adjusting my basses as they need it.

[jkramer5]

I totally agree with the above post. I read the setup FAQ's and tutorials here and other places, watched a lot of videos, paid for "pro's" to do it and ultimately through practice, making mistakes and learning thru them, eventually got to where I can do it myself.

The number of bass's I own makes it impossible for me to pay to have it done, I enjoy working with my hands, and am a tinkerer by nature so it suits me to do it myself.

Those 2 links I posted above, for me, removed the last little bit of fog. Seeing him take those measurements, and using the numbers from the guide at the Fender website got me right where I wanted to be.

Another suggestion if I may, if you do try it yourself, take notes as to where things are when you start, and how much you adjust them. Count screw turns by even amounts, Full turn, 1/4 turn etc. Work in an environment that's well lit, has enough room, is comfortable for you etc. Have plenty of soft rags, your tools, a little flashlight and for me a magnifying glass (lol 46 yr old eyes).

Go slow, and most of all have fun. It's really satisfying to succeed, and certainly frustrating to goof, but in the end, I find it highly enjoyable.

[dalconthenovice]

honest opinion? i know some people might disgree but do not set up your bass at a guitar center, they tend to hire whatever schmuck says they can fix a knut or whatever

[twangman]

Yea I know what you mean. Kinda like this guy..
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SgET75Wmy2o

[Hookus]

Wow, he shouldn't be allowed to use tools on a guitar...

[mulchor]

I dunno. Takes a lot of talent to assess relief just by lookin'