Hi folks....
Great forum !!!....I was introduced to your place from a drummers forum ....have been messing around with bass as a 2nd instrument on and off for a while, been through a variety of instruments, finally settled on a newer Squier
P-bass Special, playing through a Hartke kickback 10....the sound overall is pretty decent for an inexpensive instrument ( $150 ) ....the build quality is surely a lot nicer than lower priced instruments from 20-30 years ago....
Here is where I need your indulgence, as I don't know the proper terminology to explain my dilemma, but I am certain I can get the point across...
When I am playing towards the middle of the neck, I am getting a pleasing sound....for a given note value, when I play that note on the neighboring string, but up near the nut, the sound is much duller, not as vibrant ...
Assuming that my explanation made sense...how can I remedy this?....Is it a matter of the set-up?.....If so, can you recommend how I can affect changes in the neck angle ( truss rod? ) and/or bridge to give me the same sound qualities on all areas of the neck?....there is also some disparity in volume from string to string, but I am figuring that this is due to the pick-ups?
I guess I can attempt to do some quack lutherie ( is that the proper term? ), knowing that I will end up at a repair bench either way....Will my only tools be a screwdriver, allen keys, a ruler?....How do I evaluate my results?...I figure that there is a method for determining whether neck and or bridge adjustments are needed, and just how much at each point .... how do I tune the strings in regard to one another besides the standard 5th fret, going from 1 string to the next?..
Should I need to take it in, how much is a fair price to pay for a set up?
Lastly, is someone here familiar with a shop ( or better yet, so off-duty tech that lives down the street from me ) in LA
( Hollywood/East San Fernando Valley) that is fairly priced yet skilled....
Lastly, when I was looking around, I was drawn to the sounds and feel of the G&L Tribute L2000, but did not want to spend another $300 at this point ( maybe once I sell some of the drum stuff that has become a dust -covered albatross- you guys are gearheads, so I'm sure you understand
)...will I experince the same sort of issues by going up to that price level...if I have to put some $$$ in at both levels, I will stay where I am, as I like the basic feel of this instrument, which is important to me ( otherwise, I would have kept that beast of a Peavey T-40, which has so many great sound options, but ...well, you know ).
I am certain you have had these sort of questions before, so if there is a link to some resource that can talk me through this, that would be most appreciated as well
Thanks in advance !!!
Best wishes to all
Howard
