Some set up questions.

[Tommygunn]

So I tried to set up my bass myself after reading a bit about it on the interwebz.

I think I just screwed up my bass more trying to do this.

So I am gettin it set up by a pro for $35. Good price?

How often do you have to get your bass set up?

I forgot the rest of my questions but I'll post em as soon as I member em.


thanks guys.

[Tylerrr51]

My local guitar shop does it for $20. but they don't file frets which bugs me.

[Zooberwerx]

$35 is a decent price. I'd be a little wary of any tech who offers fret leveling, etc., for $20. A bad set-up can be reversed / remedied fairly easily....a bad fret job can not.

What exactly went wrong with your home-brewed set up? There's no reason you can't do basic maintenance as the character of your bass will change with use, age, seasonal fluctuations, etc. Just have to know your limitations.

Riis

[tom once dead]

I do all the set ups on my basses, and innotation. Started off doing them pretty bad, now my actions are amazing low.

[Tommygunn]

Intonation mostly is what I can't to. I also can't get a perfect low action on my fretless, before I had to get the nut replaced the strings were pretty much touching the fingerboard without and buzz on any string any where.

[Zooberwerx]

Are we talking intonation on a fretted or fretless? If fretless, I'll defer to another.

Riis

[Tommygunn]

Intonation on a fretless. I know it's off cause when I play at the fifth and the next open string (5th on the d and open g) they are not the same. And I know my bass is properly tuned.

[Mrdak]

Hi.... have you had a look at this page yet? http://www.talkbass.com/wiki/index.php/Setup

[Tommygunn]

Yes and I've done a lot of that stuff (as necessary). Shims have been done too.

[seamus bass]

set-ups should be done by you,for you. who else knows what your looking for?
even a fretless can be done. as far as how often, i set them up everytime i change strings, a whole step in tuning, or if nothing else every 4-6 months.

[Tommygunn]

Well thats a lengthily process every few months. Man I need a bass tech to do it for free!

[tobie]

Originally Posted by Tommygunn

I need a bass tech to do it for free!

You already have it - it's you! It takes a bit of time in the beginning. Later on you instinctively know what and how much is needed when - and you can do the necessary in no time at all!