Stew Mac basic setup kit

RobertPaulson · #1 02-03-2009, 08:15 AM

With all the talk of homemade tools I wanted to see if anyone has this set:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...Setup_Kit.html

I've been doing setups totally by feel and I really need to start doing a better job at it as you can probably imagine I'm not very consistent doing it in this way. No specific questions, just looking for thoughts on this kit or recommendations for something else if you don't think it's a good deal.

thanks.

father of fires · #2 02-03-2009, 08:31 AM

The string action gauge is essential. The straight edge is handy. The radius gauges always seemed like a gimmick.

I do my set-ups by feel and my customers seem happy. I have certain parameters I like to hit then I average evertything else out.

You may want to get the truss rod wrenches and some nut slotting files.

Madcity Fats · #3 02-03-2009, 11:52 AM

I have an 18" straightedge I use when evaluating relief, but I think I paid maybe $8 for it. I'm sure the $47 version is engineered to a far higher standard, but I can't say I've ever had a problem with the cheapo version. For me, if it's straight enough to draw what appears to be a perfectly straight line to my eye, it's straight enough to use for a setup. Then again, this isn't my profession, and I'm only ever setting up my own stuff.

I use a small (also cheap) precision 6" rule for an action gauge. I was tempted for awhile to buy a set of feeler gauges, but lately I've been getting great results without them.

I can't say I've ever felt the need for a radius gauge.

WalterBush · #4 02-03-2009, 11:56 AM

I like the kit, but I didn't pay for it, it was a gift. The radius guages haven't done anything for me beyond telling me what radius block use on a given neck; the guages in my set were too small for a wide-spaced 5, also. The straightedge and string action guage are awesome, setting up is much faster, now.

I've been told that a 24" framing t-square is much better for bass setups, though. I haven't bothered to try it out and see if it's an improvement yet.

RobertPaulson · #5 02-03-2009, 04:38 PM

allrighty that's what I needed, thanks. I think I'll get the action gauge and just pick up a framing square at lowes.

CinneaghBass · #6 02-04-2009, 08:37 AM

I was considering that kit as well. What I ended up doing was ordering the 24" straightedge from StewMac and I will live with my 6" rule for action for now. They had a 1-2 back order on the setup gauge so I will look into that later when I order more stuff (!).

The Home Depot L- and frame squares either looked too rough for the unlined fretless rosewood board on one of my basses or too wide to get by the strings for an accurate reading. YMMV

I felt I could not justify the kit because I would only use one of the radius gauges. Also, one of the Erlewine books I have has cheapo radius guages in the back if I want to check that.

snappytom · #7 02-04-2009, 09:13 AM

Another source for cheapo (free) radius guages is a link to a PDF on this page;

http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/

unclejane · #8 02-04-2009, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobertPaulson

With all the talk of homemade tools I wanted to see if anyone has this set:
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Sp...Setup_Kit.html

I've been doing setups totally by feel and I really need to start doing a better job at it as you can probably imagine I'm not very consistent doing it in this way. No specific questions, just looking for thoughts on this kit or recommendations for something else if you don't think it's a good deal.

thanks.

The most essential tools left out are a set of nut files. You can't do a proper setup at all without those so the rest are basically useless without em.

The string action gauge you don't need.

A straight edge and radius guage would be pretty useful tho.

I play fretless so I'd want a set of radius blocks also (I guess you can level frets with a radius block too, but dunno).

Then you need allen wrenches and the tool for adjusting the truss rod, tho presumeably those are supplied with the bass (or you can just get those at lowes, etc.).

LS

father of fires · #9 02-04-2009, 11:13 AM

"The string action gauge you don't need."

I use my action guage the most.

It allows me to see string action in the thousands. I use it to adjust my string height on all my set ups.

I place it at the 12th fret, with the guitar in playing posisiton and it gives me an accurate reading.

I swear by it.

+1 on the nut files, though

RobertPaulson · #10 02-04-2009, 12:05 PM

I already have allen wrenches and I picked up a framing square and a 6" precision stainless ruler over lunch, I'll give them a go tonight, worst case I'm out 12 bucks. Do you really file the nut on most setups? I guess I'm not too horribly anal about my setup as long as it plays decent but I've never even really considered that as something i needed to do.

RobertPaulson · #11 02-04-2009, 07:58 PM

well, i did the setup, turns out the straightedge wasn't very helpful at all. I used the little ruler and did the whole hold down the first and last fret deal, then adjusted the nut and the bridge. My warmoth plays like butter now.

unclejane · #12 02-04-2009, 08:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by father of fires

"The string action gauge you don't need."

I use my action guage the most.

It allows me to see string action in the thousands. I use it to adjust my string height on all my set ups.

I place it at the 12th fret, with the guitar in playing posisiton and it gives me an accurate reading.

I swear by it.

+1 on the nut files, though

The editor removed my "Nomex suit on/of" xml that I had surrounding that statement

. But I'll continue anyway and risk more flaming, so here goes.

IMO, the action is the one thing that needs measuring the least, since you set that according to personal preference rather than to this or that measurement. Radius gauge would be the next, since, for example, my radius at the bridge rarely follows the neck radius because of how I like to set my action (I'm usually a little flatter at the bridge). So I'd probably leave that out too.

Personally, all I need to do a setup is the allen keys for the bridge and truss rod and a set of nutfiles.

If I have to make repairs or something like that, then I'd need the radius blocks, straightedge and etc.....

LS

JimmyM · #13 02-04-2009, 09:51 PM

I have always had a problem with Stew Mac pushing tools you don't need. I bought their refretting video a long time ago, and it was basically a commercial for all these specialty tools that you don't really need. All those things are completely unnecessary unless you're doing fretwork or fingerboard shaping. For a basic setup you need the tools for the bridge and truss rod, a couple different screwdrivers, a capo, and a set of feeler gauges. And the capo and feeler gauges are optional. And radius gauges??? You can make a radius gauge with a compass and some construction paper!!! Sheesh!!!

Honk'n_down-low · #14 02-07-2009, 03:36 PM

Anyone own the Cruztools Kit for setting up Basses?

http://www.cruztools.com/musicproducts.html

ia02 · #15 02-07-2009, 03:43 PM

i use:

-stew mac string height gauge
-stew mac nut files (NOT THE DOUBLE EDGED FILES, just the normal files), no substitute for real, good quality nut files
-stew mac understring radius gauges
-my strings as a straight edge
-cheap 24" aluminum ruler sometimes. keepng in mind that it is by no means an accurate straightedge

in short, buy the action gauge, buy the radius gauges seperately and skip the straightedge (for basic setups). buy the individual nut files instead (skip the double edge versions, they do not cut tight enough slots for basses like fenders that have very little string break angle on the A string)

P.S. i'm lazy, didn't read the whole thread and didn't see that you had already made the buy. my mistake. i guess my info is just or future readers then...

bass_snake · #16 08-21-2009, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snappytom

Another source for cheapo (free) radius guages is a link to a PDF on this page;

http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/

Thanks for sharing this site. I' m looking to get tools that I need for setting up my basses. So this site it a great help.

Fred

bass_snake · #17 08-21-2009, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honk'n_down-low;6943329[URL="http://www.cruztools.com/musicproducts.html"

http://www.cruztools.com/musicproducts.html[/url]

Are they any good?

sickest beast · #18 12-15-2011, 09:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by unclejane

IMO, the action is the one thing that needs measuring the least, since you set that according to personal preference rather than to this or that measurement.

LS

It's exactly because of personal preference that I use feeler gauges to measure my action... this way once I find the action I like, I can get it exactly the same every time.

Now... it's not 100% necessary to measure anything, I'm sure I could do a basic setup without any measuring tools, but being anal, I like to measure.

sickest beast · #19 12-15-2011, 09:27 AM

I was looking into these today.

The only setup tool I think is remotely worth it on the Cruztools site, is the all-in-one tool.

This one:

Now... I own every tool on this thing, BUT, it would be nice to have one of these in my bass case, kind of as a road/gig tool. Keep all my separate tools in my box at home.

Quote:

Originally Posted by bass_snake

Are they any good?