first time self set up = success

crowderfan · #1 01-02-2010, 07:29 AM

Last month I purchased a new Fender USA jazz. The factor setup was okay, but I really wanted to lower the action a bit. I had already had it in my mind that I was going to take it to a local bass shop to have it set up, and since I was already planning on spending that money, I figured it wouldn't hurt to try to do it on my own. Afterall, the worst that could happen is they would fix it for me anyway.

So after researching some of the links in this forum, I gave it a whirl, only using the tools provided with the bass from
Fender and my tuner.

I started by loosening the truss rod quite a bit and lowering the saddles almost all the way (just to see how the instrument reacted), and then worked m y way backwards tightening the truss rod and raising the saddles to get the action I was looking for.

It took me about 45 minutes, and many many small adjustments as I went, but I believe I've gotten the action about as perfect for me as possible. I pretty much just eyeballed the arc of the neck by holding down the E string on the first fret and last fret and checking the string height around the 7-9th fret.

I really think the key thing in this process (and this is something that I really didn't see stressed enough in the information I read) was keepin my tuner plugged in the entire time and checking the tuning after each adjustment.

Surprisingly, the intonation at the 12th fret was almost dead on after all was said and done. And virtually no fret buzz anywhere on the neck.

So to anyone wanting to do this yourselves, as long as you have a basic understanding of how the truss, saddles, etc work, it can be done with patience, and trial and error.

I was so happy with the results I got, I immediately did the same thing to my Squire VM 70's bass.

And the best part is, I saved myself the cost of the setup.

bamba22 · #2 01-02-2010, 07:43 AM

Good for you,
That is how you do it.
You don't need to go to a shop and spend your money.
Today you can find anything and the internet, and fix your things

JTE · #3 01-02-2010, 09:41 AM

I think you're going to find that the best part ain't the money you saved, but rather that you will get to know your basses better. Face it, you're gonna spend the $ on bass stuff anyway. But now you will start to learn what makes the difference between a good one and a great one.

Congratulations on taking this important step!

John

peterwsmith · #4 01-02-2010, 09:49 AM

Good job!

I just did this myself for the first time on Monday. It's great to save the money, but that feeling of accomplishment is a nice thing too!

JLS · #5 01-02-2010, 11:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crowderfan

Last month I purchased a new Fender USA jazz. The factor setup was okay, but I really wanted to lower the action a bit. I had already had it in my mind that I was going to take it to a local bass shop to have it set up, and since I was already planning on spending that money, I figured it wouldn't hurt to try to do it on my own. Afterall, the worst that could happen is they would fix it for me anyway.

So after researching some of the links in this forum, I gave it a whirl, only using the tools provided with the bass from
Fender and my tuner.

I started by loosening the truss rod quite a bit and lowering the saddles almost all the way (just to see how the instrument reacted), and then worked m y way backwards tightening the truss rod and raising the saddles to get the action I was looking for.

It took me about 45 minutes, and many many small adjustments as I went, but I believe I've gotten the action about as perfect for me as possible. I pretty much just eyeballed the arc of the neck by holding down the E string on the first fret and last fret and checking the string height around the 7-9th fret.

I really think the key thing in this process (and this is something that I really didn't see stressed enough in the information I read) was keepin my tuner plugged in the entire time and checking the tuning after each adjustment.

Surprisingly, the intonation at the 12th fret was almost dead on after all was said and done. And virtually no fret buzz anywhere on the neck.

So to anyone wanting to do this yourselves, as long as you have a basic understanding of how the truss, saddles, etc work, it can be done with patience, and trial and error.

I was so happy with the results I got, I immediately did the same thing to my Squire VM 70's bass.

And the best part is, I saved myself the cost of the setup.

GOOD FOR YOU!!!

cossie · #6 01-02-2010, 02:27 PM

That's awesome, well done!

I finally found a spare hour this morning to finally setup my latest bass, the difference a proper setup makes to playability is instantly noticeable IMHO.

I think it's well worth the time it may take you as you learn a lot about how the instrument is constructed. And there's the obvious financial savings too.

Craig_S · #7 01-02-2010, 02:43 PM

Good job! Enjoy your new found skill.

marchone · #8 01-10-2010, 03:45 PM

I did it the first time for myself also. There is so much information available on the 'net and in the Stickies at the top of this forum that it is silly not to do it. Even YouTube videos. Besides, half of the time the guitar shops don't do a complete job anyway. My new Spector received a cursory intonation. That's it. I had buzzing in two spots. No more.

I did buy a set of CruzTools GrooveTech Bass Player Tech Kit. Magnetized screwdriver, capo, gauges, straight edge and a flashlight. It was well worth the $50.

Buslady7803 · #9 01-10-2010, 04:37 PM

Thats what I might do, to learn all I can about the instrument and set up myself.

BassPlayer3187 · #10 02-15-2011, 08:30 PM

I have done this on all of my basses, but for some reason cannot get it right on my Spector. Whenever I try to set it up I get too many dead spots in the upper register of the bass with the action where I want it. I have tried several times now, and where I have had no problems on either my Fender or Carvin, my Spector seems to be causing some trouble. Anyone have any suggestions to eliminate some of these problems without having to raise the bridge saddle too much?

darkstorm · #11 02-15-2011, 10:12 PM

Kewl. Doing your own setups will allways give better results then someone else can do in allmost every case since the other person isnt you. Of course Id still leave things like fret leveling to the pros, but truss rod, bridge sadlle adjustments and pups adjustments are something everyone should learn to do for themself for best action possible for the player imo. Congrats on your first self done setups.

hip63 · #12 02-16-2011, 09:14 AM

I recently "learned the dark craft of bass setup" and yeah, 'tis coolness to do it yourself...

hip63

mpdd · #13 02-16-2011, 09:19 AM

my last guitar lesson consisted of a mode, a scale, a blues song, and an intonation and setup lesson

JLS · #14 02-16-2011, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BassPlayer3187

I have done this on all of my basses, but for some reason cannot get it right on my Spector. Whenever I try to set it up I get too many dead spots in the upper register of the bass with the action where I want it. I have tried several times now, and where I have had no problems on either my Fender or Carvin, my Spector seems to be causing some trouble. Anyone have any suggestions to eliminate some of these problems without having to raise the bridge saddle too much?

Get a fret level/recrown done.