calipers

[mwhite89]

Hi,
is this a good tool for setting up a bass( string height, pick up height and the like)?

Thank you

[saxofunk]

IMHO calipers wouldn't be very useful, but you may be able to worke with them. I generally use a 6" metal ruler that's marked in 1/64 on one edge and mm on the other. A set of feller guages is also useful to check string clearance at frets that are too close to use a ruler.

[MikeyB]

I'm an engineer and I use calipers almost every day, but not for my basses.

I find the metal ruler (as mentioned above) and some automotive feeler gauges work better for setting up a bass. And, actually, I set mine up mostly be feel. Humans can process very detailed tactile information.

-M

[pkr2]

Originally Posted by mwhite89

Hi,
is this a good tool for setting up a bass( string height, pick up height and the like)?

Thank you

Absolutely!

Rules are good for approximation measuring, but they are not really very accurate.

I find a digital caliper to be easier for me to use because my eyes aren't as good as they once were.

They are also great for general routine measurements such as string gauge, TR nut size, nut thickness etc.

I use the pin for most setup measurements, rather than the jaws.

The price has plummeted for machine shop hand tools since China began importing tools into the U.S. I bought the calipers that I'm using now from http://www.harborfreight.com . Item #47257. $19.95.

Worth checking out. They work great.

[mwhite89]

Originally Posted by pkr2

Absolutely!

Rules are good for approximation measuring, but they are not really very accurate.

I find a digital caliper to be easier for me to use because my eyes aren't as good as they once were.

They are also great for general routine measurements such as string gauge, TR nut size, nut thickness etc.

I use the pin for most setup measurements, rather than the jaws.

The price has plummeted for machine shop hand tools since China began importing tools into the U.S. I bought the calipers that I'm using now from http://www.harborfreight.com . Item #47257. $19.95.

Worth checking out. They work great.

Hi,
Thank you all for responding. When I saw this this thing in Lowes I was shoping for the standard metal ruler. I thought this should be great because you can use the pin while having the actual measurements at eye level. My only problem has been figureing out how to use it. I know it is something simple (how to use the increments inside the small window near the head of the instrument), I just need to read more.

Thank you
Maurice

[kyral210]

Digital Vernia Callipers with a tolerance of 0.005mm is what you need. I use the Fender support pages to get my measurements from. Using this with feeler gauges you can accurately reproduce famous setups.

After that, you can go about doing it by feel, but the measuring way helps you get close to your perfection easily.

Dont use rulers, they're just not accurate enough.

[vinny]

For the price nowadays you really can't afford to be without one of these. It may not suit your needs for setups, but there are a multitude of other things you'll use it for. FWIW, get the one with the dial reading or digital readout on it. It's far easier to use efficiently than one with a vernier scale. I think I own 5 or 6 of these & keep one everywhere. Out in the shop, in my office, & a couple at home. They are in-frikkin'-valuable by my judgment.