Quote:
Originally Posted by Ric5  One of the best skills you can learn is how to be your own bass tech. Knowing how to change strings, set intonation, adjust the truss rod, and adjust bridge height are basic skills every bass player should learn. It will save you a lot of money through the years. I have a dozen basses and if I took them all to a bass tech twice a year for adjustments then I would be spending a lot of money.
Most basses need to be adjusted twice a year due to seasonal changes and specifically due to humidity changes. Wood expands and contracts with humidity level changes. That is why your bass needs adjusting a couple of times per year.
If you store the bass in a humidity controlled room then you will need fewer adjustments. |
Absolute truth here. I've been playing about 25 years and it wasn't until last year I started to get comfortable with being my own tech for basic setup. I was always afraid I'd mess my bass up. I finally took the plunge li,e Ric because I was amassing more basses and I just couldn't justify a trip to my guy every time something felt off.
It's very simple though as long as you have the right tools. I have a capo and feeler gauge for measuring neck relief, and a 6" ruler with 64ths for measuring string height off the 12th fret.
Definitely don't put it off - it's no fun playing a bass that feels like a chore to play. I remember when I was 19 and got my first Carvin, I didn't even know you had to get them setup. I was ready to send it back because I didn't like how it felt. A friend suggested I take it to a shop for some adjustments. Guy spent like 10 minutes on it and handed it to me. I was stunned - it felt awesome.
Good luck!
