Well, I had my first professional set up in 15 years!

sk8 · #1 10-23-2007, 12:39 AM

I've had my bass set up by a guitar tech for the first time ever and i've owned played on and off for 15 years

What a difference

The action is low and the fret board is fast and its sounds better

Money, very well spent.

Everyone should have it done!

Aaron · #2 10-23-2007, 12:41 AM

I've always intonated, set the action, raised/lower the pickups, and adjusted the truss rod myself. Does a setup do anything else?

sk8 · #3 10-23-2007, 01:13 AM

apart from greasing the board and cleaning the pots, no

202dy · #4 10-23-2007, 05:26 AM

Tell your friends. Many people, especially younger players, are not aware that their guitars can be made to play better. Many beginners end up quitting simply because their instruments are impossible to play. Maybe one of them could be the next big thing. If one is patient and handy they can learn to do this work themselves. Otherwise, take the guitar to a good tech.

BuffaloBass · #5 10-23-2007, 10:43 AM

Aaron, yes. The local luthier will also "dress" the fret if need be. That's where I've been punting. If I cant set it up right, its usually some fretwork that I have a hard time seeing. Mark finds it right away. So until I ahve that kind of eye... pro.

But yes, pro setups are very worth it. FWIW, almost every bass I bought here ( not that many) neded a good setup! So the other issue is, your preferred setup is different from mine. My luthier has me doing the Marcus Miller no relief thing, and now I dig it.
You cant have that low of an action unless all the paramters ofthe setup are mint.

Sometimes, to me, the pure harmonics you can ring, are worth the cost of the setup! I mean, he gets them just right. I always use the high B (Gstring) to see how good the harmonics are.

So part of the setup we cannot do ( without the expensive tuner and an experienced ear) are setting the saddles exactly right so your harmonics really ring.

bassbully · #6 10-25-2007, 07:11 AM

Glad i looked here i was going to start a new post. I have shops n the area that charge from $65.00 to $85.00 for a fret dress and setup. I do my own pup levels neck relief cleanings etc and my P bass plays real sweet so is it worth it really? I have never done it but thats alot of money just to get a cleaned board. I know guys who take bases and guitars to shops to setup neck cuz they dont know how and are scared to. I was shown how to and am good at it and do it for others but i never did any fretwork but to just clean them.