Portland bass players....help!

Kid-A · #1 12-04-2009, 05:52 PM

I've been wanting to have a professional set up my bass - does anyone have any recommendations in the Portland metro area (Oregon)...

Thanks

craigb43 · #2 12-04-2009, 06:04 PM

google David King , he is a builder there and I believe he does repair work as well

baltimore · #3 12-04-2009, 06:45 PM

In Portland,12th Fret!! 5032311912

bongomania · #4 12-04-2009, 06:47 PM

Chance at Fearless Guitars is excellent. A good guy to support, too. Plus he usually has some neat bass gear you can try out.

4Mal · #5 12-04-2009, 06:49 PM

hmmm... makes me thing that next local GTG we ought to think about a setup clinic maybe ?

John Bigboote · #6 12-04-2009, 07:05 PM

a) Do it yourself. Seriously.

b) Portland Fretworks on NE Alberta.

-jb

Kid-A · #7 12-04-2009, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

a) Do it yourself. Seriously.

b) Portland Fretworks on NE Alberta.

-jb

Forgive my ignorance, but to be frank, I'm not even sure what a pro setup would entail - I can raise and lower my own strings - is that all there is?

Most of the bassist I speak with swear by a "professional setup" - i figured once I found a guy or gal, I could ask him or her what that would include

beyondthe48 · #8 12-04-2009, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bongomania

Chance at Fearless Guitars is excellent. A good guy to support, too. Plus he usually has some neat bass gear you can try out.

+1 Chance is awesome. fearless moved to sandy blvd.

i wasnt impressed with 12th fret. they charged more than i've ever paid, and repeatedly forgot to call me when my parts and bass were ready. needless to say i havent returned.

Cy_Miles · #9 12-04-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

a) Do it yourself. Seriously.

b) Portland Fretworks on NE Alberta.

-jb

Bump.

Set ups are not that complicated. I learned to do mine initially from a book called "The Guitar Handbook". There is an updated version out their.

Frets.com also has some step by step instructions on adusting (if needed) your truss rod.

I am not a professional but I live in Portland and wouldn't mind showing you what I do.

12th Fret and Portland Fretworks both reputable places. I've taken repair work to either and been happy with them both, and David King is an excellent local builder that might answer questions.

good luck

MaxMaps · #10 12-04-2009, 10:04 PM

Toby @ Apple Music in downtown, does a fantastic job of doing a pro set up.

12th Fret and Portland Fretworks are both good places and have heard nothing but good things from either shop.

Cy_Miles · #11 12-05-2009, 01:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxMaps

Toby @ Apple Music in downtown, does a fantastic job of doing a pro set up.

12th Fret and Portland Fretworks are both good places and have heard nothing but good things from either shop.

Oh ya, Toby at Apple Music. At a store that sometimes is friendly and sometimes is not, I have never had anything but good vibes from Toby and he is a working bass player that will also take time to answer your question, and will treat you right if you still want someone to set it up for you.

Kid-A · #12 12-05-2009, 02:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by craigb43

google David King , he is a builder there and I believe he does repair work as well

I checked out David King - Does anyone on here have one of his basses? I'd love to get a custom bass- I'm not sure he'd ever have time for set up advice, but his basses look great on his site...

Passinwind · #13 12-05-2009, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kid-A

I checked out David King - Does anyone on here have one of his basses? I'd love to get a custom bass- I'm not sure he'd ever have time for set up advice, but his basses look great on his site...

I've played a few of his basses, and one has also been brought to a couple of TB GTGs in Portland and out here. Well worth checking out, for sure. His wood knobs are pretty cool too.

John Bigboote · #14 12-05-2009, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cy_Miles

Oh ya, Toby at Apple Music.

Toby *is* a good guy. Can't say for sure he's the *only* good guy at Apple, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility.

To the OP: A set-up involves (in order) 1) setting your neck's relief by adjusting the truss rod, 2) setting the action by raising/lowering your bridge's saddles, and 3) adjusting intonation by moving the saddles back and forth to ensure that every fret plays as close as possible to the note it's supposed to be. None of it is rocket science. Go to the Fender site and look in Support for bass setup. It'll tell you everything that you realistically need to know.

P.S.: You'll need a good tuner, and a bit of patience.

-jb

Kid-A · #15 12-05-2009, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Bigboote

Toby *is* a good guy. Can't say for sure he's the *only* good guy at Apple, but I wouldn't rule out the possibility.

To the OP: A set-up involves (in order) 1) setting your neck's relief by adjusting the truss rod, 2) setting the action by raising/lowering your bridge's saddles, and 3) adjusting intonation by moving the saddles back and forth to ensure that every fret plays as close as possible to the note it's supposed to be. None of it is rocket science. Go to the Fender site and look in Support for bass setup. It'll tell you everything that you realistically need to know.

P.S.: You'll need a good tuner, and a bit of patience.

-jb

Thanks John! I think I'll mess with my backup bass initially until I'm comfortable with what I'm doing...

John Bigboote · #16 12-05-2009, 08:17 PM

Almost forgot the final bit: Adjust your pickup(s) height(s) after everything else is done.

-jb