First Setup

[WookieeForLife]

I was thinking of getting a new bass. Im afraid to do my own setup....I'm afraid I'll strip a screw. Is it really hard to do, or can the average Joe do a setup on a bass.I already read the fender link in this forum. How much is it to get a setup done by a professional, or is it better for it to be custom. All help appreciated,



P.s. Stories of your setups will be appreciated.

[WookieeForLife]

Anyone?

[PilbaraBass]

read the stickies about setups...

Basic setup

1. Relief (truss rod adjustment)
2. Intonation
3. Action


Advanced setup:

4. Fret leveling
5. Nut slotting


I do all 5...have been doing the basic 3 since I began playing 17 years ago...have been doing the last two in the last 2 years only...

You CAN mess up an instrument by doing a setup incorrectly...but up to 1/2 turn on any trussrod and any intonation & action setup should not cause any issues in 98% of situations.

for a few $, take your instrument to a qualified person...and if they're any good, it's more than worth your money...new bass, old bass, doesn't matter...ALL basses need a good setup.

[jsingles]

it is WELL worth taking it to a qualified person, I recently paid 35 dollars to have my jazz bass setup buy an experienced tech, (i got a student discount) and the difference was incredible.

A proper setup can have a tremendous impact on the playability of any instrument, I recommend taking it to a pro. The person I took it to not only set mine up, but explained everything he did and why, so I could learn about maintaining my bass, and in the future I will know more about making adjustments myself, so I can make minor tweaks.

[WookieeForLife]

Thanks. The main concern is stripping the truss rod screw. I took one to guitar center once and the guy tried to do it himself and stripped it.

[JustDavid]

Originally Posted by WookieeForLife

Thanks. The main concern is stripping the truss rod screw. I took one to guitar center once and the guy tried to do it himself and stripped it.

Get the proper tools. You don't need to go top-drawer in quality, but get half-way decent ones. I've likely reinvented the wheel, but for cheap 'extra-large' feeler gauges I use picks. A 1.0 mm pick won't be very accurate, but it'll get the neck bow dialed in close enough for me.

Read the stickies & the links. garywillis.com has a great visual.

And go for it!!! If nervous get a tech to do it while showing you how to do it, like the above poster. Asking if they'll mind is also a great way to find a good tech.