Opinions : Setting up without measurement tools

XXL · #1 08-06-2007, 11:48 PM

I'm attempting to do my own setups. I am lacking any measurement gages for the action..which I am having a little difficulty with. I have the relief the way I want it, by using the credit card/ business card theory and I was successful in this.
I was wondering if there are any other successful ways of measuring string to fret height and string to fretboard radius with out using the feeler gauges or rulers/tape.
I know some of you guys can just *eyeball* it and get it the way you desire, but I cant do that yet. Its been talked about alot with the measuring of relief with the creditcard...what other devices can be used to measure string heights/radius?

XXL

PilbaraBass · #2 08-07-2007, 12:09 AM

why do you need to measure fret height?

it's about how it feels to you, not what any particular "specs" are...specifications are designed to give a common language for everyone to compare against...but it is only that--a comparison.

I only recently checked the action on two of my basses (still don't know what it is on two others)...as far as relief goes--I use my eyes for that...

by the way...the two basses I did measure, I used a simple 10cm scale...the Yammy measures 1.5mm (1/16") at E-string fret 12, and 2mm (5/64") at the 24th...the cheap chinese p-bass knock-off measures 2mm (5/64") the the B-string fret 12, and 3mm (1/8" at fret 20)...measurements are from string bottom to top of fret...

XXL · #3 08-07-2007, 12:27 AM

OOops my mistake.. I didnt mean actually measuring the fret itself. What I meant to say was the top of the fret to the bottom of the string and that measurement..

Anways I do see what you mean about specs just being a comparison and it does seem to mean more about what feels good ...saying that .. I cant seem to get a good feel on the string height. I might be just to picky about it..but I wanted to get a good starting point or bearing to compare to..just to see if im being picky.. I liked the credit card refrence to the relief. just wondering if there is more with the set up of the action and the radius.

XXL

JimmyM · #4 08-07-2007, 12:59 AM

I used to do it by setting the G string as low as possible without buzzing, then I made all the other strings feel like it. I did it that way for years, and then I finally bought the tools and I shaved almost 20 minutes off my average time doing it.

sjb64 · #5 08-07-2007, 01:08 AM

I like to fret at the first and last frets, and look at the space between the bottom of the string and the top of the fret in the middle of the neck. The string is your straight edge. There should just barely be a space; about 1/64". Almost perfectly straight. I check both sides of the neck.

Once the relief is set, I set the action; this is a one-time adjustment. I like 1/16" at the G graduated to 7/64" at the B. As measured from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret at the 12th fret. I have a light to average attack; heavy handed players will need higher action.

Don't forget to intonate (re-tune the bass first). This is also a one-time adjustment (for the most part) if you don't switch to a different type/guage of strings.

Ultimately neck relief and action should be based on playing comfort (feel), amount of fret buzz, and tone; not neccessarily with a ruler. Different basses behave differently. Experiment. A 6" General steel ruler is cheap and nice to keep in the gig bag.

All checks and adjustments should be done the bass held in a playing position and NOT laying on a bench.

Delberthot · #6 08-08-2007, 07:44 AM

I have never ever used any kind of tool to set up any bass I have owned in the past 20 years other than my eyes and fingers.

For me its purely about feel and no amount of measuring will tell me something is right if I don't think that it feels right with my hands.

I have never spent more than 15 minutes setting up a bass unless it needed a big amount of truss rod adjustment.

I suppose measuring and making notes would be good if you bought a similar bass and wanted a measurement to use as a reference.

XXL · #7 08-08-2007, 10:28 PM

I should just go by feel then. . fair enough..I guess I am just being to picky about it. I dont like any buzz and as low as action as possible.
What about the radius of the strings to the fretboard.. is that even of any significant importance> How many of you that do your own setups include the radius into your routine?

PS- If it helps to know what bass im attempting to do my own setups on..Its a Fender Geddy Lee. Id sure like someone else to give me thier experience and tricks of the trades, with thier own set up. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

XXL

PilbaraBass · #8 08-09-2007, 04:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by XXL

I should just go by feel then. . fair enough..I guess I am just being to picky about it. I dont like any buzz and as low as action as possible.
What about the radius of the strings to the fretboard.. is that even of any significant importance> How many of you that do your own setups include the radius into your routine?

PS- If it helps to know what bass im attempting to do my own setups on..Its a Fender Geddy Lee. Id sure like someone else to give me thier experience and tricks of the trades, with thier own set up. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

XXL

I do all my own setups...when it comes to radius, just understand that the middle strings will be slightly higher (but you know that already, I assume)

just set every string as low as you can get without any buzz...it'll take some time...so be patient...

no particular tricks involved...just understand the effect of each tweak, is all...

Pilgrim · #9 08-10-2007, 03:22 PM

If it feels good and plays well, then it's OK.

But if you live near a Harbor Freight (or probably a Sears), you can pick up one of their metal pocket rules that is marked in 32nds or finer. Just make sure the end of the rule is where the scale starts. Very handy to have around, and not just for setups.

hoosierdad · #10 08-10-2007, 03:33 PM

I have been doing setups on basses (and guitars) for 30 years and I have never used a measuring tool. I do it by feel. Sometimes on my own instruments - I set it up on the high side - play with it for a few days and keep adjusting till it's right for me. If I'm setting up for someone else - I just dial it in as low as I can without too much buzzy stuff.

HamburgerBrad · #11 08-10-2007, 04:00 PM

I've only set up a handful of instruments and I only measured on the first one. After that, I just went by what plays well for me. Set up with a very small amount of relief in the neck, set the bridge height, then set intonation. Two allen wrenches, a screwdriver, and a tuner is all I use.

meev992 · #12 08-10-2007, 04:18 PM

I just take the "zen" approach to setups....become one with the bass

I've become quite good at it and never hesitate to offer a free setup for a friend.

I think setups become more challenging when cutting of the nut is involved (BEAD setup). Either, I was very good at what I was doing, or it was dumb-luck. In all honesty, I don't think I could be paid to do that again, it was laborious and nerve-racking.

XXL · #13 08-11-2007, 01:27 PM

Thanks for the replies.
Ive got my GL playing pretty nice.. I took my time with the adjustments and with a litte patience and not worrying about the specs Ive set up my bass to my liking.
Thanks again guys Ive officially set up my bass!
Oh yea the intonation is spot on too ( maybe my turner needs a new battery) hah

XXL