Need setup kit...

[Knavery]

Hey all,
What would you say is the best setup kit for 60 dollars or less? I've looked at Stew-Mac, but too expensive. This is going to be a Christmas idea and I want to start my own setups.

Thanks!

[fkh006]

Good tools are never too expensive.

Google search and look for some cheap stuff.

[Knavery]

Yeah I've done that. However, having never done this before, I don't want to end up buying crap. I did see a CruzTools set that seems to get ok reviews. However, that can't be the only one besides Stewmac.

[ChuckTrucks]

Get a set of allens and a good ratcheting screwdriver and a nice multi tool.

[fkh006]

I recommend you first learn what is required to do a setup.
Then you will know what tools you need.

The Cruz kit contains the basic workshop tools required to do a setup.
Not setup tools.
You need both.

[JLS]

Originally Posted by fkh006

Good tools are never too expensive.

Google search and look for some cheap stuff.

Like I'm fond of saying: "When was the last time you kicked yourself for buying a good tool?"

Those "understring radius gauges", are another solution looking for a problem, IMO. You can either measure string height with whatever--and their string action gauge does a *fine* jobs, I'm an owner/operator--or eyeball it.

[Knavery]

Originally Posted by fkh006

I recommend you first learn what is required to do a setup.
Then you will know what tools you need.

The Cruz kit contains the basic workshop tools required to do a setup.
Not setup tools.
You need both.

Sorry I don't understand your response. You say the Cruz kit contains the basic workshop tools required to do a setup and then you say "Not setup tools. You need both."

I actually talked to one of the guys at CruzTools. He was a really nice guy and helped me out a bit. So, they definitely got my business.

I'll go from there and see what other tools I need once after I've learned a little more.

Thanks for your responses.

[C.Linton]

Originally Posted by JLS

Like I'm fond of saying: "When was the last time you kicked yourself for buying a good tool?"

Those "understring radius gauges", are another solution looking for a problem, IMO. You can either measure string height with whatever--and their string action gauge does a *fine* jobs, I'm an owner/operator--or eyeball it.

Maybe so, but I've found them quite helpful. Makes setup much more quick and easy.
YYMV.

[lethargytartare]

So my take is this:

First and foremost, if you're going to use tools for a variety of tasks, use them often, and use them on things that you want to take very good care of -- quality tools will NEVER disappoint you. And crappy tools WILL upset you -- slip off and gouge your bass here, strip a screw there (or strip ITSELF and become useless garbage)...

That said, for setups, I end up using whatever tools I have on hand (I have a lot) because I'm not using a lot of force on anything on my basses/guitars so I find cheap tools work fine. YMMV

The prepackaged tool kits I've seen are wastes of money. You get stuff you don't need, you pay a LOT for a lot of cheap tools, and you don't get the most beneficial things -- and you SHOULD for how much you pay.

Setups can cover a lot of specialty work, so let me qualify this as being my suggestion for a kit for common, routine setup tweaks. This does not include adjusting the nut, filing badass bridge saddles, dressing frets, etc. Fretwork and nut work -- quality tools will make your life LOADS easier, even if they're not, technically, essential.

Anyway, here's my suggestion for a basic setup kit, and cheapie prices you could get at a place like Harbor Freight:

A set of metric and sae allen wrenches (minimum: make sure you have wrenches that work with your bridge) ($5)
6-piece of jewelers screw drivers (minimum: make sure you get ones that work with your truss rod cover, and bridge) ($4)
A multi-screwdriver ($2)
Wire cutters (6-piece set, $7)
String winder (<$1)
flannel cloth or microfiber (free)
0000 steel wool (polishing frets, cleaning rosewood fretboard) ($4)
>>> $25 up to here

Things you might already have:

Guitar/bass tuner ($10)
Short patch cable (for tuner)
capo -- a strong one that will hold the strings down well at the first fret -- not essential, but it can make the job easier when you're first learning

Splurge item:
Stewmac String Action Gauge ($20)

Genuinely a worthwhile investment when you're starting out, and it's incredibly practical beyond...

So if you had to buy everything new, you could spend $60 and get a TON more in value for your money than the Cruz set, let alone the StewMac set that doesn't really equip you to do setups at all...

I have my stuff in a little zippered bag. I also have some sandpaper for shimming necks in there, but I wouldn't call that essential or basic.

Good luck!
ltt