Greetings,
I have a Z5 that is in desperate need of a set up. Got it new when they first came out, and it is hardly been touched. THE ACTION IS TOO DAMN HIGH! I like the action pretty low as I mostly slap/tap/toedangle. It has been set up by a local luthier, but he didn't do a good job. So I stripped it down and gave it a good cleaning. Have new strings, just need to go get a couple tools in the morning. I have done some maintenance before but was always too fearful to monkey with the truss rod. It is time, and I don't see how I can make it any worse LOL. I have lurked for a while and got some great information on how to do a setup, but I have a question regarding string height and fret-board radius. The jerzydrozd guide (
http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/akcn...ide_ver100.pdf) says that the string height should correspond with the radius of the fret-board, so the saddles for the B and G string would be lower than the A string, he even gave templates. Then I watched Carl Pedigo's video (
Lakland Bass Setup With Carl Pedigo (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube) who says that strings should be near level with each other in the saddles. Since I have taken it all apart for cleaning, I wonder what method would be a better starting point once I get it back together, strung and tuned for the beginning of the setup.
I know it's not the greatest bass in the world, but I should be able to get it close to awesome. It's made well, sounds pretty good stock, but the action between 12 and 24 was ridiculous. It is not nice to play at all. Before I removed the strings I dropped all the saddles all the way to see what I was in for, and the B E and G still seemed to high to me. Hopefully I won't need to shim the neck, if I do, so be it. The neck looks to be close to correct, a slight bow upwards, and I checked the fret level and they check out good, with a slight relief as Carl showed in his video. Should be a fun adventure, any thoughts, opinions and/or advice is greatly appreciated, thanks!
