How often do you have your bass setup?

JUSTINKP · #1 05-26-2011, 06:01 PM

I had my bass setup in March. (Musicman Ray 34 4-String). The tech was very knowledgeable, and has lots of background in music and stringed instruments and told me the wood used on the Ray 34 line is absolutely terrible. He got the instrument setup for me at the time and eliminated the fret buzz I was getting on the 1st and 2nd frets.

Today I looked at my bass, and noticed the fretboard is bending again and it looks like a banana again near the neck. We're getting warmer weather now, and I've heard weather and humidity changes can do this, but still, it's only been 2 months!

How often do you guys need your bass setup? Any resources on doing it myself? The dude only charges me $10 to set it up, clean it, etc. but still it's a long drive.

lethargytartare · #2 05-26-2011, 06:06 PM

Tons of resources and help here -- start with the sticky.

When I had to pay, I probably only had my instruments set up once or twice -- when I saw the benefit, and the cost, I got determined to figure out how to do it on my own.

GREAT setups take time to be able to do consistently, but you can readily learn the basics to keep your instrument in great playing shape. And then you can do it whenever you feel like ANYTHING isn't to your liking.

My better instruments still don't need anything all that often, but I still fuss around with everything a lot more -- as often as monthly.

But 10 bucks for basic adjustments...pretty decent deal for him to give you!

Hope that helps!

ltt

prokfrog · #3 05-26-2011, 06:09 PM

I have two, neck-thru basses. Both are five piece necks. They both require truss rod adjustments around the same time of year which is mid May, and mid December. So to answer your question, twice a year.

MattyH · #4 05-26-2011, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JUSTINKP

I had my bass setup in March. (Musicman Ray 34 4-String). The tech was very knowledgeable, and has lots of background in music and stringed instruments and told me the wood used on the Ray 34 line is absolutely terrible. He got the instrument setup for me at the time and eliminated the fret buzz I was getting on the 1st and 2nd frets.

Today I looked at my bass, and noticed the fretboard is bending again and it looks like a banana again near the neck. We're getting warmer weather now, and I've heard weather and humidity changes can do this, but still, it's only been 2 months!

How often do you guys need your bass setup? Any resources on doing it myself? The dude only charges me $10 to set it up, clean it, etc. but still it's a long drive.

Can't beat that deal, especially for an experienced luthier. I've heard that about the Rays. Sound and ply great, but delicate necks.

I get mine set up every time I replace the strings. About every 3 months. I have a 1962 Reissue Jazz, and it too has a very delicate neck. Plus, I play 4+ times a week regularly all year. Weddings near and far. So it gets used and worked hard. Definitely an adding factor.

Weather will effect it absolutely. I notice it very much on that main bass I mentioned. As far as setting it up by yourself I'd practice on an old beater bass. Read up, study, research, get the proper tools, get the hang of it. If you feel you might do more damage, don't jump into your main bass!

1st Bass · #5 05-26-2011, 08:30 PM

Funny--I thought this was the double-bass set-up and repair section. Some kinda time-space anomaly at work here?

chuck3 · #6 05-26-2011, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Bass

Funny--I thought this was the double-bass set-up and repair section. Some kinda time-space anomaly at work here?

ha ha - since I play both, it works for me.

It's funny what someone said above about the '62 reissue Jazz. That is my most used bass guitar, and it's never been set up since I bought it three years ago. It has stayed just about perfect. But it's ready for a string change so I'm going to take it to a guy to do that and a setup.

Both my uprights can use setups, gotta get around to that too.

Bassmickeyd · #7 05-26-2011, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Bass

Funny--I thought this was the double-bass set-up and repair section. Some kinda time-space anomaly at work here?

LOL
But whether upright or electric bass the owner should spent the time and energy to learn how to set up their own instrument. ..... All my basses, electric, EUB, an acoustic upright need no more than one set up a year. ......
Even an off shore instrument may settle down with the right attention.

littlepope · #8 05-26-2011, 11:30 PM

Every time I change the bridge. The strings.

allexcosta · #9 05-27-2011, 04:55 AM

Every time they need a setup. Could be once an year or once a week, depending on the bass and how the neck behaves through plane trips, AC, direct sunlight and such...

Pilgrim · #10 05-27-2011, 11:12 AM

I live in an area without much humidity, and I never change strings. Therefore, unless a neck goes bad or develops problems, I generally have to only set up an instrument once.

tdub0199 · #11 05-27-2011, 11:14 AM

I do my own setups.... so, whenever I feel like they may need it....

whisper14072 · #12 05-27-2011, 11:26 AM

I have mine set up and unless the intonation goes off I don't take it again unles I change the brand of strings. I had an OLP I had set up with EB strings and as long as I used the same strings the intonation was never off.... I chenged to try something else an it was off a bit.

ok... that was long winded... too much coffee today...lol

**251** · #13 05-27-2011, 01:02 PM

You will need some tools & patience. Resting the head of the bass on a table can add to the set up. When you lift the bass, you do not get the result you expected. Learn to adjust the bass while wearing it on a shoulder strap. No more than 1/4 turn of the truss rod adjuster at a time. Most wood necks respond quickly. Learning to use feeler gauges can take a while, as can arranging for light where you need it to see. Patience & practice will eventually save money & give you the best your instrument has to offer.

Good luck. Here are some useful links;
ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE - TalkBass Forums
Setup - TalkBass Wiki
Setup Instruction Manual
setting intonation on fretless bass question - TalkBass Forums
Intonation
http://www.fender.com/support/bass_g...etup_guide.php

**pacojas** · #14 05-27-2011, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prokfrog

I have two, neck-thru basses. Both are five piece necks. They both require truss rod adjustments around the same time of year which is mid May, and mid December. So to answer your question, twice a year.

about the same here.

**251** · #15 05-27-2011, 01:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Bass

Funny--I thought this was the double-bass set-up and repair section. Some kinda time-space anomaly at work here?

I found this posted to the Hardware, Setup & Repair (BG) Forum.

Your Time/Space Results may display Time Dilation or Frame Drag.

**pacojas** · #16 05-27-2011, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck3

It's funny what someone said above about the '62 reissue Jazz. That is my most used bass guitar, and it's never been set up since I bought it three years ago. It has stayed just about perfect. But it's ready for a string change so I'm going to take it to a guy to do that and a setup.

DUDE!!! my '62RI JB is 1.5yrs old and it's my only bass that hasn't needed a set-up. i adjusted the string height when it arrived and the neck is still perfect. even after 3 different brands of strings, all i needed was a slight intonation tweak.

OTOH,.. my other 3basses and 1guitar need TR adjustments at least twice a year.

Pilgrim · #17 05-27-2011, 06:30 PM

My '63 P has had one neck tweak (about 1/2 turn of the truss rod nut) in the past 14 years.

PaulMacCnj · #18 05-27-2011, 11:12 PM

I, too, do all my own setups. Whenever something doesn't feel, play or sound right, the tools come out and I get to work. As long as I stick with the same strings (manufacturer, model and gauges) on replacement, I don't have to do much with the relief, action or intonation. Otherwise, it's a process over at least a day while the instrument adjusts to the difference in tension. I actually enjoy the whole process of doing a setup.

darkstorm · #19 05-28-2011, 01:23 PM

Couple times a year for weather changes. Other then that just when trying diff brand of strings if set up tweak is needed.

Rocky McDougall · #20 05-28-2011, 04:30 PM

Never, since I do my own set-ups. I do adjust it several times a year, not because it gets out of adjustment, but I just want to try something a little different. I never change strings, my TI's are many years old, so that is not an issue. Necks react to temperature and humidity changes, so the more they are exposed to changes, the more adjustment the could need. Learn to do your own setups. If you are smart enough to play a bass, you are smart enough to do excellant setups.
Rocky