Set Up of a New Bass a Must?

[Fretful]

I'm thinking of buying an Ibanez as my first bass. Do I have to tune the strings or "set up" the bass before I start to play, or are the factory settings good enough?

[kevinmoore73]

A new instrument requires a setup just like a new car needs gas.

[Fretful]

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

A new instrument requires a setup just like a new car needs gas.

Who does the setup?

[kevinmoore73]

Originally Posted by Fretful

Who does the setup?

Why not? It's easy. Read this: ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

[Fretful]

Originally Posted by kevinmoore73

Why not? It's easy. Read this: ALL BASIC SETUP QUESTIONS ANSWERED HERE

So, you're recommending to an absolute beginner who's never even held a bass to get the following tools and perform his own setup?

* Set of automotive feeler gauges (.002-.025) (0.05–1 mm)
* 6" (150 mm) ruler (with 1/32" and 1/64" increments) (0.5 mm increments)
* Light machine oil (3-in-1, toy locomotive or gun oil)
* Phillips screwdriver
* Electronic tuner
* Wire cutters
* Peg winder
* Polish and cloth

And all this is before he even learns to play? I'll pass.

Hopefully I'll get more in depth replies concerning my questions.

[lord toranaga]

don't be a chicken. it is not that hard.


it is best to buy your first instrument from a local mom and pop type shop. That type of store would most likely include a proper set up .




you might save some money by buying on line, but then you would have to take your guitar to the mom and pop shop and pay for a set up.


so you are better off just finding a good local store, and asking them to set ip your instrument.

[ExaltBass]

I have benefited from professional setups. Do my 'work horses' every 12-18 months and the others as needed. (I wish I had the skill to do my own - tried, didn't get there...)

[mortar]

Depends if you buy the bass from a brick and mortar shop they should be able to give it a basic setup free of charge.

A pro setup will probably cost.

You'll have to learn to tune the guitar yourself


You never know though some guitars come out of the box with a perfectly acceptable setup some are so far out of wack it's not funny.

[kevinmoore73]

It's really not all that hard, whether you've held a bass or not. If you can read simple instructions and use simple hand tools, you'll be fine.

You do realize that tuning your bass is something you'll need to do quite frequently, right? Tuning doesn't fall into the "setup" category, though it is one thing that's done (quite frequently) during a setup.

I check the tuning on my bass just about every time I pick it up.

[Fretful]

Well, it looks like my main question (thread title) has been answered.

Originally Posted by lord toranaga

so you are better off just finding a good local store, and asking them to set ip your instrument.

I'm thinking of asking the store I'm buying the instrument from. While tuning can be done quite easily, it's the setup I'm more concerned with and I didn't know it was an absolute must for an off the shelf bass.

Thanks for all the helpful replies.

[Oreomeister365]

I really don't get what is so hard about setting up your instrument that you need to take it to a pro. Something I'm missing?

The right gague string are pretty much personal preference. Thicker means tighter if they feel too floppy to you. Bow the neck so theres a a credit card distance between the string and the fret at the 7th fret when holding the 1'st + 24th fret...set the intonation, which is an exact process, not something someone can do "well" or do "okay", it's either set at the right note at the 12th fret or not. Action, partially preference. This sort of depends on your neck bow being set up correctly and how you play, should probably be the first thing you set up.

Am I missing something that it takes a "pro" to do? Too hard to turn an allan wrench?

Also, for the original question: a definite yes. Everything has to be tailored to how you're going to play it, to fit you exactly. And if its been sitting in a store I doubt things like the intonation are set very well either.

[Fretful]

Originally Posted by Oreomeister365

I really don't get what is so hard about setting up your instrument that you need to take it to a pro. Something I'm missing?

The right gague string are pretty much personal preference. Thicker means tighter if they feel too floppy to you. Bow the neck so theres a a credit card distance between the string and the fret at the 7th fret when holding the 1'st + 24th fret...set the intonation, which is an exact process, not something someone can do "well" or do "okay", it's either set at the right note at the 12th fret or not. Action, partially preference. This sort of depends on your neck bow being set up correctly and how you play, should probably be the first thing you set up.

How I play? I don't know how I play...I think you're missing the fact that as a beginner, I do not have preference or action that you speak of in your second paragraph.

[Joshua]

Fretful - first and foremost, welcome to TB.

If you are buying the bass from a reasonable shop, they should be more than willing to make sure it has a good basic setup. It's a pretty simple procedure, and since you are a beginner that only simplifies it for the shop.

I prefer brick and mortar shops that offer just those kinds of services, but if for some reason you can't have the shop do it, we can walk you through it step by step. The bass will most probably come with basic tools, probably an allen wrench or 2 and maybe a seperate truss rod tool. You should ask the store about the tools, they usually come with the bass.

Keep us posted, and good luck. For what it's worth, don't make any adjustments besides tuning without talking to us. We'll get you through it...

[daveman50]

Let's keep it simple.

A setup, in its simplest form, involves adjusting the adjustable parts on the bass so it plays easily.

(1) The neck has an adjustable truss rod (a metal rod) set into it that can be adjusted to provide more or less "relief" (bow) -- to start, you want a little relief (upward bow) so the strings have some room to vibrate without rattling against the frets.

(2) The "action" (how high the strings sit off the neck) is adjusted at the bridge, usually via small set screws that can move each saddle up or down (on some basses this isn't adjustable for each string separately).

(3) The other adjustment at the bridge is the length of the string, by moving the saddle back or forward - this is to set the intonation (is the string in tune all the way up the neck?). You can see if the intonation is correct by comparing (a) the fretted note when you play the string at the 12th fret with (b) the harmonic at the 12th fret (unfretted note) -- ask the folks at the shop to show you how to do this.

(4) The pickup height is also adjustable; this affects the sound (too close to the strings is not good; too far away can be too quiet).

As you progress as a player, you will form opinions about adjustments 1 and 2 -- but to start, rely on someone in the store.

A more complicated part of a setup is checking the nut, and possibly re-filing it or replacing it.... just ask the store owner if the nut looks OK.

You should also ask for a new set of strings, and a fresh battery if it's an active bass.

Have fun! Welcome.

[Oreomeister365]

Originally Posted by Fretful

How I play? I don't know how I play...I think you're missing the fact that as a beginner, I do not have preference or action that you speak of in your second paragraph.

I understand, that wasn't directed at you specifically, more just a general question of life.

[202dy]

The only time an instrument needs to be set up is when it is out of adjustment. Much like diagnosing an instrument's problems over the internet without physical data, making predictions about the condition of unseen instruments is presumptuous at the least and foolhardy at the worst.

As a rule, Ibanez guitars come off the truck near pitch and setup pretty well. The local B&M only has to do a touch up on one out every forty or fifty. As long as they keep an eye on temperature and humidity in the shop all will be well.

The problems begin when the guitar leaves the shop and the new owner does not pay attention to the environment. At that point there are a number of things that can happen. Most of them will be blamed on the music store or the manufacturer. Almost all of them will be handled by one or the other. Almost none of them have anything to do with either.

Seek out a reputable dealer. Ask them not only about the features and benefits of the instruments in which you are interested, but also ask them to explain the basics of the physical instrument. If the sales staff cannot, ask to speak to a tech. If they cannot or unwilling to help you, seek another retailer. The dealer that can satisfy both requirements has earned your business and will be able to take care of your needs.

[lord toranaga]

great advise

[fearceol]

Originally Posted by Oreomeister365

Too hard to turn an allan wrench?

Maybe not, but you omitted to tell the OP the most important thing when setting up a guitar i.e. only turn the allen key (when adjusting the truss rod ) 1/4 turn at a time or you could damage the instrument.

Guess you were missing something after all !!

[alexofc69]

Well, it seems like you are a new player. Im not sure what model basses you are looking at etc. Buy the bass that feels and sounds the best to you. Chances are that if it feels good that it will not be needing a professional setup. Most big shops or even some mom and pops will do a initial minor setup. But then some of the big shops staff may not be up to par.

Later on down the road once you have been playing a while and things start to get out of whack and/or perhaps you decide to change the gauge of strings will be a good time to lay down $100+ for a pro setup.

I almost always get my new basses setup, unless its perfect off of the rack or I wait until its time for new strings (3-6 months) Then I take it to my tech. Of the last 4 basses I have bought 2 have been 100% perfect and not need a setup for while.

[notenslaved]

Holy overwhelm the beginner, Batman...

Fretful, one of the first things you should learn is how to tune - it's a skill you'll use the rest of your life so may as well get started now. A cheap tuner will help a lot with this. Grab one, they will have them at the music store and you can score one in the $10 range.

The more experienced players do their own setups and set up the bass as soon as we get home (myself included) so things are to our personal likings. Since you're just starting out, you probably don't even know what you like yet - so I wouldn't worry about this too much yet.

If after playing the bass for a little while you feel uncomfortable about something - for example, the strings are really hard to press down or very far from the fretboard, or it never quite stays in tune, or something just doesn't feel "right" in your opinion, then look into a setup.

It's good advice to learn how to set up your own bass, but honestly the first time or so you might want to have a pro do it. When you're ready to dive into doing your own setups, there's plenty of people around here to help you out and tons of things on the net you can read.