Fender owners manual setup on my Ripper?

MammaryVest · #1 03-27-2010, 07:40 PM

I recently got a set of feeler gauges which allowed me to give my Fender the factory setup for the first time. I was wondering if the settings in the Fender owner's manual could also be applied to my '78 Ripper. Obviously it is a matter of thousandths of an inch, and isn't a huge deal. However, I always feel better knowing that my basses are set up the way the were originally intended to be. Does anyone know where I could get factory specs for a vintage Ripper?

M0ses · #2 03-27-2010, 07:49 PM

The way they are intended to be is whatever way you want them. That's why they're adjustable! The setup you want depends on your action preferences, the kind of strings you use, how hard you dig, etc., not some numbers in a manual. Those are just guidelines.

MammaryVest · #3 03-27-2010, 08:55 PM

Please do not reply if you are not answering my question.

Pilgrim · #4 03-27-2010, 09:55 PM

If you will reflect on MOses' answer, I think you will find that his response answers your question pretty well. It's not numbers in a manual or a prescription that you need - it's a process.

I don't know where to get setup specs for a Ripper, but at MOses said, you would end up modifying them to suit yourself. Use the Fender process (or any of the many stickies in this forum giving information on setups) and when the setup is right for you, it's right.

MammaryVest · #5 03-28-2010, 11:31 AM

I appreciate what you are trying to say.

If someone asks you "would you rather bang Tom Cruise or pregnant Halle Berry?" you aren't supposed to say "eeww neither". But that's what both of you just did. I would never think that you would bang either of those people under those conditions, the point is to see which one you'd pick if you had to pick one.

Marco A. Mayer · #6 03-28-2010, 11:45 AM

I don't know where you could get factory specs for a vintage Ripper. Google is your friend.

As for the Fender manual's settings, you could apply that to any bass. Although they could need adjustments to suit your playing style.

And try to work on your manners. M0ses and Pilgrim gave fine answers, just because they were not exactly "yea" or "nay" it doesn't mean they didn't answer you correctly.

southshoreconor · #7 03-28-2010, 11:57 AM

i'll tiptoe around an actual answer here.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

I always feel better knowing that my basses are set up the way the were originally intended to be.

I always feel better knowing that my basses are set up the way I intended them to be.

MammaryVest · #8 03-28-2010, 12:26 PM

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything. I'm just saying that if you don't know where I could find that information, don't try to answer my question. I was clearly not looking for a philosophical response. And I 'll try to mind my manners next time so the nameless faceless internet people don't get offended by the other nameless faceless internet person.

southshoreconor · #9 03-29-2010, 12:46 PM

listen, you're asking a question of personal taste and looking for a black and white response. like you said its a matter of thousandths of an inch. someone could tell you "yes, use the same numbers fender gives you for your gibson" someone could say "no, don't use the same numbers fender gives you for your gibson". they'd both be 100% correct. and either way, its so minuscule, you probably wouldn't notice. the beauty of these mass produced instruments is that they can be adjusted to personal taste - which is more important than any numbers you'll read off a piece of paper or on a message board. the only thing the factory "intended" was for it to be adjustable - so adjust it, carefully, please.

Widdershins · #10 03-29-2010, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

I'm not trying to be a jerk or anything.

Perhaps you should try harder?

JoZac21 · #11 03-29-2010, 01:11 PM

Greevus · #12 03-29-2010, 01:15 PM

Set the Ripper up to the specs and make minor adjustments if you need 'em. I set up all of my basses, from P's to BC Rich, to Destroyer, Iceman, 5 string, etc. I've never had training other than reading books and online. There is no "wrong way". If you do it enough, you will figure out what feels right to your liking. I have a bunch of P's and 2 Rippers, and the Ripper ain't gonna feel like a Fender. I've tried and tried, but the Gibsons are their own beasts.

Just FYI, the "factory specs" are loosely interpreted and no two basses are gonna be setup the exact same. I know "thousandths" seem like a lot, but in the world of real live music, it ain't.

I call my setup style "Mexican", not as a knock, but as a tribute. I had some Mexican friends who weren't educated and they could repair my Honda better than any car dealer. It was all trial and error learning, rather than education. Doing it enough IS education.

MammaryVest · #13 03-29-2010, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Widdershins

Perhaps you should try harder?

HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHA

Oh my goodness! I's been raining in Boston for three days, but I don't even care anymore because that was hilarious!

M0ses · #14 03-29-2010, 08:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greevus

Set the Ripper up to the specs and make minor adjustments if you need 'em. I set up all of my basses, from P's to BC Rich, to Destroyer, Iceman, 5 string, etc. I've never had training other than reading books and online. There is no "wrong way". If you do it enough, you will figure out what feels right to your liking. I have a bunch of P's and 2 Rippers, and the Ripper ain't gonna feel like a Fender. I've tried and tried, but the Gibsons are their own beasts.

Just FYI, the "factory specs" are loosely interpreted and no two basses are gonna be setup the exact same. I know "thousandths" seem like a lot, but in the world of real live music, it ain't.

I call my setup style "Mexican", not as a knock, but as a tribute. I had some Mexican friends who weren't educated and they could repair my Honda better than any car dealer. It was all trial and error learning, rather than education. Doing it enough IS education.

Dude. Will you please just give the guy some NUMBERS!?!?! You don't have to be a prick about it!!! All he wants is a specific, succinct, and correct answer! Geez! Why can't you morons stop chiming in with your "opinion" crap and do what you're supposed to do, and provide some information!!??! What is this, Guitar Center?!? He just wants to know how he should set up his gosh darn bass!!!

steamthief · #15 03-29-2010, 08:01 PM

Try an e-mail to Gibson if it's factory settings you seek. talkbass.com is not a factory, just a website with a wealth of good information if you're willing to accept it.

slyjoe · #16 03-29-2010, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

Dude. Will you please just give the guy some NUMBERS!?!?! You don't have to be a prick about it!!! All he wants is a specific, succinct, and correct answer! Geez! Why can't you morons stop chiming in with your "opinion" crap and do what you're supposed to do, and provide some information!!??! What is this, Guitar Center?!? He just wants to know how he should set up his gosh darn bass!!!

Good one.

stflbn · #17 03-29-2010, 08:14 PM

It's a bass setup, it's not rebuilding a racing engine.

Try it... see if you like it. All it is is relief, saddle height and intonation.

Don't do anything you can't undo and you're fine.

You'll learn something in the process.

.

stflbn · #18 03-29-2010, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M0ses

Dude. Will you please just give the guy some NUMBERS!?!?! You don't have to be a prick about it!!! All he wants is a specific, succinct, and correct answer! Geez! Why can't you morons stop chiming in with your "opinion" crap and do what you're supposed to do, and provide some information!!??! What is this, Guitar Center?!? He just wants to know how he should set up his gosh darn bass!!!

You also did not answer his question, so actually you're doing the same as other.

He's asking if the Fender setup will work on his Ripper. Which NO ONE will actually know unless they've tried it. And honestly... if anyone has set up their own Ripper they'll have set it up as THEY prefer, not as Fender ships basses.

Which is how the original reply suggested.

M0ses · #19 03-30-2010, 03:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stflbn

You also did not answer his question, so actually you're doing the same as other.

If you'd have read the entire thread, you'd see what I did there. No harm done, though.

oyobass · #20 03-31-2010, 12:30 PM

This is only hearsay, but back in the 70s, I was told that Gibson's standard setup was to place a 10 penny nail at the last fret. The strings were adjusted so that they just touched the nail. The source of this info? A certain Mr. Warmoth, when he was an working at Boogie Bodies in Puyallup, one of the first high end builders of Fender copies. As I reacall, he was talking about the setup of guitars, not basses, but it gives an indication of factory specs being made to allow widely varying neck straightness and fretwork quality to leave the factory as having passed QC standards. Norlin era Gibsons are not known as shining examples of the art...