Setting up my bass

**andrewrepasky** · #1 11-27-2011, 02:40 PM

After tinkering with my tech 21 sansamp, amp, and 10 band eq....ive come to the conclusion that my bass needs to be set up again....I am getting too many "hot spots" on certain frets(mainly on the lower E string) and a lot of "dead spots" on the A string...i play with an Ibanez Soundgear SRX390, and usually vary from tuning(some in E dropped down a half step, and some in Drop D down a half step)..it seems no matter what I do, these issues appear predominantly....i have taken the bass into a guitar shop to have it set up, but I am getting tired of having to take the bass in for someone else to set it up....I need help on how to set up my bass..i prefer a low action for faster play, and if it makes a difference, i use Rotosound Swing Bass 105-45 strings.....

is it just my inexperience, or are my issues just set up issues, or are they EQ issues? Im still trying to learn, but just played a gig last night, and the "hot spots" were really standing out to me....i mainly play progressive rock, with elements of funk and blues

henry2513 · #2 11-27-2011, 02:54 PM

Setup Instruction Manual

I used this manual, I was able to get incredibly low action following these directions.

**andrewrepasky** · #3 11-27-2011, 03:08 PM

wow...that really seems like a pretty complicated process....i don't know if i feel too comfortable setting up my own bass now...just because its the only bass that I have at the moment...im awaiting tax return to hopefully purchase a project bass...thinking a squier jazz bass, but gut it completely and buy all new components...good link though, if it weren't for the fact of owning one bass I would definitely attempt this

Pilgrim · #4 11-27-2011, 04:20 PM

Don't buy a Squier and gut it - buy the bass you need. If that's an MIM or MIA, buy used and don't pour money into a bass that will probably lose value by being modified. If you buy the Squier, just play it.

**andrewrepasky** · #5 11-27-2011, 04:23 PM

i was looking to do that to save money as opposed to buying a Standard Jazz Bass, the Squier doesn't have the electronics inside it to be a "quality bass"

**andrewrepasky** · #6 11-27-2011, 05:29 PM

nice! i may have to find a bass to borrow to practice this on...I have gigs coming up soon, otherwise i would try to attempt this myself....i just can't be without my axe for that long without having a backup..ill have to start looking into set up techniques and do some more research

**pacojas** · #7 11-27-2011, 06:06 PM

set-ups are easy, man!

look at that thing,..

some wood, metal, and plastic. dip it in butta, by having a good set-up to your liking. if you DIY, you can nail the fit! GL.

Pilgrim · #8 11-27-2011, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewrepasky

i was looking to do that to save money as opposed to buying a Standard Jazz Bass, the Squier doesn't have the electronics inside it to be a "quality bass"

A used standard jazz bass is worth more when you buy it and will be worth more as long as you own it. Your call. With luck you can find electronics used on Ebay....but you'll have to define the particular "quality" parameters that the Squier doesn't meet.

I don't agree that the Squier doesn't meet a "quality bass" standard. The VM series is widely known for delivering good sound and playability.

I think that many times, "quality" is an imaginary standard that's automatically one step "better" than whatever the beholder owns.

**andrewrepasky** · #9 11-27-2011, 08:26 PM

honestly i am not really looking for resale value...i have a friend that plays a squier P-bass where he replaced the components to match one of the standard models...im still mulling my options....i have however heard nothing but praise on the Musicman Sterling's...and seeing how im not able to afford a $1k+ price tag, that may be an alternate path...ive looked through several craigslist ads for jazz basses and the majority seem to be MIM or MIJ....and from my understanding the MIJ's are supposed to be the most similar to the models made in the U.S.

Pilgrim · #10 11-27-2011, 08:31 PM

I don't blame you. I have a MIM J that's a great bass and cost me under $250 used on Ebay. I think you'd do well to look that direction . Nothing beats laying hands on it before you buy, but a J is pretty much a J. The MIJs are reputed to be very good indeed, and therefore they'll cost a bit more.

I also own a couple of Squier basses, and I have no complaints with the body, fit, finish or electronics.

DerTeufel · #11 11-27-2011, 08:35 PM

Setting up your bass is really quite easy. Read a bunch of tutorials and take your time.

**andrewrepasky** · #12 11-27-2011, 10:01 PM

thats what i plan to do...ive got a lot of research to do...and ill have to learn to trust my hands and ears more...thanks for all the advice everyone...it has been a real learning experience!

NelsonNelson · #13 11-29-2011, 11:33 AM

Warwick has amazing setup videos on youtube that really helped me save a ton of money. And fyi; @ the last fret you want around a 2mm gap for that super low action and also for your pickup height. Grab a US nickel, it's 1.98mm and use that as your measurement tool. All you really need is stuff you have laying around already too. A business card a flathead or philips and a few allen keys. Mind you, it took me a good 2 hours to get my bass "just perfect" using their videos on my Corvette. Also, shield your control cavity really well if it is not already. Hope this helps you out.

Solarmist · #14 11-29-2011, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewrepasky

wow...that really seems like a pretty complicated process....

Really - it's not, but do it in the right order.

1) Neck relief: hold down on the 1st & last simultaneously, and check the clearance at the 8th/9th for about a credit card's thickness.

2) Action height: I set mine off the 24th for the greatest accuracy (relative to the 12th). A Stew-Mac string action gauge works perfectly.

3) Intonation: Match 12th fret note with 12th fret harmonic.

**andrewrepasky** · #15 11-29-2011, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Solarmist

Really - it's not, but do it in the right order.

1) Neck relief: hold down on the 1st & last simultaneously, and check the clearance at the 8th/9th for about a credit card's thickness.

2) Action height: I set mine off the 24th for the greatest accuracy (relative to the 12th). A Srew-Mac string action gauge works perfectly.

3) Intonation: Match 12th fret note with 12th fret harmonic.

What do you mean by sew-mac string action gauge? I think im going to set it up myself..I don't think we have any december gigs as me and my guitar player work retail. My real problem may persist in the fact that I had the shop set up my bass for Drop D flat..and I switch between that and E flat

grendle · #16 11-30-2011, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewrepasky

What do you mean by sew-mac string action gauge? I think im going to set it up myself..I don't think we have any december gigs as me and my guitar player work retail. My real problem may persist in the fact that I had the shop set up my bass for Drop D flat..and I switch between that and E flat

Check the stew mac site. Lots of cool tools.

**andrewrepasky** · #17 02-02-2012, 11:34 AM

Ok I think I have a set up issue. Could be the gauge of my strings too..it seems as if my low e string in my ibanez srx 390 gets too overly bass compared to the other 3 strings. Its mainly when im in drop d down half a step, when im playing from the 5th fret down...is this a set up issue? I tried eqing it out, but when I do I lose bass on the other strings...I tried lowering the neck pup but it won't go any lower. What do I have to do? I have a gig on Sunday and the techs closest to me are all busy and won't be able to get it back on time so im left to fix the issue myself

**lowendfriend** · #18 02-02-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NelsonNelson

Warwick has amazing setup videos on youtube that really helped me save a ton of money. And fyi; @ the last fret you want around a 2mm gap for that super low action and also for your pickup height. Grab a US nickel, it's 1.98mm and use that as your measurement tool. All you really need is stuff you have laying around already too. A business card a flathead or philips and a few allen keys. Mind you, it took me a good 2 hours to get my bass "just perfect" using their videos on my Corvette. Also, shield your control cavity really well if it is not already. Hope this helps you out.

Carl Pedigo of Lakland has the two videos for English measurements...

Lakland Bass Setup With Carl Pedigo (Part 1 of 2) - YouTube

Lakland Bass Setup With Carl Pedigo (Part 2 of 2) - YouTube

And the Jerzy Drozd guide:

http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/akcn...ide_ver100.pdf

Relief first, action second, then pickup clearance then intonation. Take your time and learn...u will be glad u did. No mystery here.