Recommend setup in Pittsburgh

Koa_Top · #1 10-06-2006, 08:20 AM

I've had a setup done twice by the same guy here in Pittsburgh (who shall remain anonymous), but I'm curious if anyone has any recommendations. I also had a couple other questions:

1) I would assume that lowering the action is as simple as adjusting the bridge screws. Is there anything else that comes into play, such as the neck, etc.

2) Has anyone had their frets honed (or filed)? Did you love it or hate it afterwards?

Dean N · #2 10-19-2006, 03:01 PM

There's plenty of people who know much more about setup on this forum than me, and they can certainly chime in, but setup consists of getting the right amount of relief/curve in the neck and having the bridge adjusted. A little research should result in a lot of info on this.

I'm really interested in hearing about a good tech here in Pittsburgh. There's a guy (Craig is his name) on the South Side, on the river side of Carson, 2000 block. His place is called the String Workshop, and though I've never used him personally, my buddy (a Juilliard-trained viola player) swears by him, and his instrument costs more than some houses. Craig apparently is a luthier too - and reasonable. When I get my project bass put together, He's going to set it up for me.

Hope this helps!

PilbaraBass · #3 10-19-2006, 08:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Koa_Top

I've had a setup done twice by the same guy here in Pittsburgh (who shall remain anonymous), but I'm curious if anyone has any recommendations. I also had a couple other questions:

1) I would assume that lowering the action is as simple as adjusting the bridge screws. Is there anything else that comes into play, such as the neck, etc.

2) Has anyone had their frets honed (or filed)? Did you love it or hate it afterwards?

In Pittsburgh, frets should be leveled with a Primanti Bros "samich" and an IC Light

Get the frets leveled, and by someone who knows why it is you do it.

mimaz · #4 10-19-2006, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

In Pittsburgh, frets should be leveled with a Primanti Bros "samich" and an IC Light

Funny you would say that, I seem to get leveled just about every visit to Primanti's

Dean N · #5 10-20-2006, 03:33 PM

Mmmmm... slaw and fries.... on a sammich...

...and beer....

bburk · #6 10-20-2006, 07:18 PM

Yinz should go dahn to 'Pianos 'n 'at', then git an arn city 'n watch some Stillers.

------------------------

Sorry, I used to live there and just HAD to make fun of what I believe is one of the funniest accents I've ever heard. I don't even know if 'Pianos 'n Stuff' does setups...

Dean N · #7 10-21-2006, 09:23 PM

Wow, forgot about that store. It's dahn 'ere in Blawnox (does a name get any more Pittsburghese that that?) - I think they do setups there too.

Koa_Top · #8 10-23-2006, 08:27 AM

Thanks for the responses - I do in fact frequent Piano's 'n Stuff for most of my purchases (strings, effects, etc.) But I was hoping to find a specific recommendation, not just anyone that happens to be available at a given store, etc. Especially when it comes to filing frets - I don't want just any joker working on my bass, especially one from a place like Primanti's - fries and slaw might work on a samich, but not on rosewood. And after yesterday's pathetic loss to the Falcons, I'm not sure I'm in to watchin' the Stillers, either

Dean N · #9 10-23-2006, 12:27 PM

Hey, yinz needs ta have a lil faith in em Stillers.

The reason the Steelers put so many points on the board was because they made some brilliant plays.

The reason the Falcons put more on was because the Steelers made a lot of stupid mistakes.

...there's still a playoff team there. Uh, well maybe, if Ben doesn't have too many screws loose, and Joey gets healthy.

And when the %$&@ are they going to trade Staley for someone that will actually suit up and play?

PilbaraBass · #10 10-24-2006, 04:43 AM

Yinz guys are killin' me. Get aht a tahn!

Yinz guys should come to Australia. We ain't got no NFL here. All we got AFL (aussie rules...aka...arial ping-pong)...and NRL (rugby league...aka..."I like to wear electrical tape on my ears.")

mimaz · #11 10-24-2006, 10:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean N

Hey, yinz needs ta have a lil faith in em Stillers.

The reason the Steelers put so many points on the board was because they made some brilliant plays.

The reason the Falcons put more on was because the Steelers made a lot of stupid mistakes.

...there's still a playoff team there. Uh, well maybe, if Ben doesn't have too many screws loose, and Joey gets healthy.

And when the %$&@ are they going to trade Staley for someone that will actually suit up and play?

Amen!

What were they, something like 3-5 before heading to the Superbowl back in the mid 90's? Its still out there!

P.S. Sorry, I know you just wanted to get your bass set up in Pittsburgh.

Dean N · #12 10-24-2006, 10:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mimaz

P.S. Sorry, I know you just wanted to get your bass set up in Pittsburgh.

Sorry for the digression. But 'Burgh = Steelers. We all know that.

You're in Greensburg... I'm not sure if Monroeville Music Center is still around, but you may want to check them out. They always did quality stuff.

And for all you Yinzers out there, did you know Carl Thompson is from Pitcairn?

PilbaraBass · #13 10-26-2006, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dean N

Sorry for the digression. But 'Burgh = Steelers. We all know that.

You're in Greensburg... I'm not sure if Monroeville Music Center is still around, but you may want to check them out. They always did quality stuff.

And for all you Yinzers out there, did you know Carl Thompson is from Pitcairn?

Na-uhhhh...get aht a tahn!...ain't no Carl Thompson from no Pitcarin n'at...I thought he was from Coraopolis...

lol

Bass Below · #14 10-27-2006, 01:56 PM

Steelers and bass talk, in one forum... I've died and gone to heaven!

Dean N · #15 10-27-2006, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bass Below

Steelers and bass talk, in one forum... I've died and gone to heaven!

Yep... now all we need to do is add in single malt, and I'll never leave the house...

wildbill59 · #16 10-28-2006, 11:48 PM

I was just at the Primanti's in Greensburg.... Ribeye steak with egg and cheese and a few tall cold Arn drafts, life don't get much better! Anyways, I had some setup work done at Pittsburgh Guitars in Southside about ten years ago, did a great job. Cool little shop to stop by, think it's the 1400 block of E. Carson. I heard about some guy in Delmont that just opened a shop, I'm gonna check him out this week, I'll let yinz know how he does. Okay, now I'm off to Vincent's in Forest Hills, the best pizza in Pittsburgh (if not the world!). Later!!

Koa_Top · #17 10-30-2006, 10:53 PM

Well, now I can honestly say I've 'bout lost faith in dem Stillers - at least for this year. I just think back to when the Patriots won their first, then the next year they did not make the playoffs, only to come back and take the next 2 superbowls. Anyways, wildbill59, definitely let me know about the Delmont contact. I may dive into messing with my action, I'd like it just a tad lower. I'm still thinking about the fret filing, but we'll see.

sat · #18 10-31-2006, 12:12 AM

I feel you on the Steelers.

I can`t believe they didn`t start Batch. There`s always next year. Something that is a little cool though, my brother is an atheletic trainer that lives in Greensburg, and last year he got to work 2 or 3 days of practice each week with the Steelers, and got tickets to the Super Bowl. That jerk!

StringsOf4 · #19 10-31-2006, 07:27 PM

I live in Pittsburgh and all I have to say is GO PENS!!!!!! Anyway Pianos n stuff is my fave place ever, they do OK setups, I only say ok because they do it differently than how I really want my bass to be, but they give me a good starting point to make my own adjustments. They only charge $20 to do it plus the cost of strings. I just got pickups put in there too, they did a really good job there, very clean inside my bass. The guys there are all really cool dudes, will help you with anything in the world. They have a way better selection than GC too. THey have a Jag bass that I want but can't afford right now (I'm just a Target cart attendant). Definitely worth a try for only 20 bucks. Go Pens!!!

4

P.S. I'm from the city and I don't talk with the accent, I think it's annoying and I laugh when I hear it.

Dean N · #20 11-01-2006, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StringsOf4

I'm from the city and I don't talk with the accent, I think it's annoying and I laugh when I hear it.

There's 2 kinds of 'Burghers: 1) Dem with the accent and 2) those who make fun of (1). I'm in category 2.

One of the guys at PnS, Mike, either a manager or owner (don't recall), was a roomate of mine in a big old crappy house in college. Good guy.