Setting up right

Leppard Fan · #1 12-06-2007, 04:03 PM

I am a new player and want to start right. I have a new Squire 4 String Bass that I bought as a beginner package(amp etc.). I have been practicing a walking bass line. I keep getting the dreaded "buzzing" noise which I know comes from finger placement and pressure at the fret. I have both raised and lowered the strings with some relief. What is the ideal height of the strings at the fret board, and what can I find around the house to gauge this distance. I want to work on fingering with the guitar setup properly. Thanks

dman_113 · #2 12-06-2007, 04:43 PM

You might need to unscrew you truss rod a little bit and put some relief in the neck, try fretting the bass at the offending fret and with your picking hand fret the same string at the last fret, if your string is in contact with the fret board at around the 10th fret chances are you have the rod to tight. Also their is no "ideal" string height this is a personal preference. Also you could have a high spot on one of your frets.

202dy · #3 12-06-2007, 06:55 PM

Go to the hardware store and buy a rule that is marked in 64ths of an inch. It should be about five bucks. Use that to measure string height, pickup height, and just about everything else. Feeler gauges ($8-$10)are the tool of choice for measuring relief. Failing that, folks around TB use a business card. Doing setups with anything less is like winking at a girl in the dark.

EADG mx · #4 12-07-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dman_113

Also you could have a high spot on one of your frets.

TS no offense but if it's a Squier (or other cheap or entry level bass) this is definitely more likely.