BOUGHT A USED BASS--DO I NEED SETUP?

[Reiver]

I'm hoping I didn't get screwed over too badly on this deal. One way of looking at it: I got my first bass guitar, so I should at least be happy about that.

After searching craigslist and a couple of other local sites, I found what I thought was a good deal. We live near a major army base, and so there are a lot of soldiers and military families always looking to sell things--usually because they need the money, or they're being transferred (again!) and don't want to transport something.

I found a soldier who was selling a Squier Bronco and a Peavy amp. The short-scale bass had well-worn plastic knobs, there were several nicks and chips in the red finish... and despite the fact that he pulled it out of a new-looking gig bag when I came in, I noticed a buildup of dust around the bridge, right where the strings went into the hardware. The Peavy amp looked decent, despite missing three black plastic knobs from the equalizer controls. You could still use your fingers to make adjustments, though. He wanted $100--I passed.

The next guy I visited was also a soldier--and it was his Squier Precision Bass that I ended up buying. The soldier said that he got it as a gift from his mother, but before he could get started, he was deployed overseas. Came back home for a while, then redployed... and again... and again. He finally decided to sell it.

The guitar has a very nice blue finish, virtually untouched. The three knobs are metal, not plastic. Serial # CY 40914490. Cable included. Very small Crate amp. The hard case has one chink on the back, but it's small--nothing a Beatles or Metallica sticker can't cover up. Guitar, case, amp... $125.



There's some cigarette odor in the case, but it doesn't seem to be bad. I'll tackle it with a light mist of vinegar/water solution the next time I have a bright sunny day (or do you have a better idea?).

My main question is this: I keep hearing about "setup." If this guy received this guitar as a gift, and never had a chance to do much with it, does it need a setup? Also, could the strings go bad just by sitting in the case for three, four, five years? I have no clue what the stock strings are on this thing. I've been tinkering with it for the past several days... I can pick out two or three scales, and I can play along with the Monkees' "(I'm Not Your) Steppin' Stone" (E-G-A-C). There can be some pretty bad buzzing on the strings and/or frets, though... the E string is particularly noisy.

Lookin' to get low.... thanks!

--Reiver

[xepher2792]

Sounds to me like you do need a setup.

As for the strings you could probably use some new ones but if you like what you have you don't HAVE to change strings until they are rendered incapable of making noise in some fashion.

If your confident in yourself and are careful, setting up your own bass isn't that hard, there are plenty of guides and videos scattered about the internet, if you check in the setup and repair section of TB you can probably find some links to a few of those.

Otherwise find A good tech and get it set up, playing is so much more fun when you don't have fret buzz and it helps develop good technique because you know if your buzzing its a fault in your finger placement, or attack, or what have you and not the bass itself.

[darkstorm]

Yes of course it should be given a setup. See if you can find a bass player who likes low action and ask them if they'll teach you how to do the basics of setup for truss rod, bridge, and intonation.

[bolophonic]

Originally Posted by darkstorm

Yes of course it should be given a setup. See if you can find a bass player who likes low action and ask them if they'll teach you how to do the basics of setup for truss rod, bridge, and intonation.

Low action isn't for everyone.

[BassNeo]

I just bought the same bass in black. I literally just got in the door and sat down.

My deal included a Yorkville 200 watt amp instead of a crate and I thought i scored with $300. I think you indeed got a sweet deal.

I always do a setup on a new purchase whether it needs it or not. I have no idea how old the strings are, where the intonation might be (although I have a good idea when I try them out) and I set my action where I prefer.

Any decent guitar shop (this does not include 'big box' places) will do it for you or if you do some research you can do it yourself. I suggest the latter as it's always a good think to know the basics of setup.

[packhowitzer]

First: Welcome to Talkbass! Coming here and listening to what these folks have to say will help you immensely.

I think you should take the bass to your local music store and let them set it up for you and maybe change the strings. Then once you have a good feel for what it's like to play on a properly set up bass, you can begin to develop your tastes and preferences for the details. A good setup will give you a good reference point as you progress.

I know my first bass (20 years ago) was never really set up until I had had it for almost a year. What a difference it made. It made learning new skills and techniques so much easier. The strings were easier to press down to the frets because the action was set correctly, and I was able to develop my ear more quickly because the bass was properly intonated.

The only thing to prepare yourself for: a decent setup and new strings are gonna run you about $60-$80 bucks. you may balk at this as it is basically 50% of what you paid for the bass. I still recommend that you do it. You got a great deal on this bass, don't spoil it by not getting the most out of it.

Good luck!

[Marty Forrer]

Even most new basses need a setup.

[paradog]

Nice deal! A set up would be great if for no other reason but to make sure the neck is straight, strings are new and there is no buzzing. You can spend between $50-$100+ to have this done at a shop or find a friendly bass player to help you out...sorry but I don't know much about it...I would rather pay the $$ than screw up something! Rock on!

[rydin4lifebass]

I just bought a used bass tonight and it will be going to my shop/tech for a setup later this week!

[SurferJoe46]

Of course, I would say do it yourself. If you're somewhat serious about playing, you'll need the skills to change a string later.

It isn't brain surgery and if you have some decent eyes (mine are old) and a tactile sense of dimensions and a decent ear for improvements and bad changes to playability, then you're more than halfway to where you need to be to get a decent personal setup that matches you and your playing style.

Even getting a pro or semipro setup is rife with someone else's ideal settings, and they may not prove to be yours.

This site is chock full of adjustments and setup stickies and advice from people who take care of their own or other's basses all the time.

It would be a very good thing to learn.

[BassMan4Him]

About the smoke,.. I once had a case that smelt like smoke bad. I put a few dryer sheets in it and closed it for a few days. The smell was much better afterwards.. Just an idea

[BassMan4Him]

Good Deal, BTW Welcome to TB!!