My bass just doesn't feel awesome.

Andy.mpeg · #1 04-23-2011, 05:39 AM

And I don't even know why.

I mean, it's not that it's uncomfortable to play. It's just that every time I try out any other bass at a music store or the pawn shop, even cheaper instruments, they just feel a lot better to my fingers than my own. The annoying thing is that I just can't put my finger on what it is that makes them feel so much more comfortable to play.

Is it as simple as taking it to a guitar shop and letting them work their magic? I've never actually had my instrument serviced before by anyone other than myself (and by that I mean I've changed my strings and cleaned it... never really had reason to mess with the truss rod or anything) and even if I took it in, I wouldn't really know what to ask them to do for me.

I wonder if I'd be better off selling up and buying something that feels better, but really I've grown quite attached and I love the aesthetic of my bass as well as the tone I can get out of it. The only missing piece is the way it feels.

It really doesn't feel bad, but just not as good as I'd like it to. Your thoughts?

Jazz Ad · #2 04-23-2011, 05:45 AM

Any poorly setup instrument will feel bad. Start by properly adjusting your bass. If you don't know how, bring it to the luthier.

waleross · #3 04-23-2011, 05:57 AM

What make is this instrument? You should clue this Forum as to the make. You can fix up most basses with a set-up or bridge re-placement but some aren't worth doing anything except selling them.......

thunderstation · #4 04-23-2011, 06:02 AM

sit with it - in the lotus position and chant..."Ohhhhmmmmm"

Andy.mpeg · #5 04-23-2011, 06:11 AM

It's an Ibanez SRX300, and yeah, maybe all it needs is a trip to the luthier... Should they be able to identify what needs to be done and go ahead and do it without me figuring out what needs to be done myself? I mean I'm not even sure if this is a matter of personal taste or if it is indeed a poorly set up instrument, haha. But I suspect it may be the latter.

miltslackford · #6 04-23-2011, 07:35 AM

why not just sell your bass and get a different one? Aren't you overthinking this a bit?

chetorch · #7 04-23-2011, 07:40 AM

just ask them to do a setup and that should inlude a change of strings, cleaning and truss rod/ action adjustment. thats what they do at the guitar shop I take my axes to.
my first bass was ok at first, then I went to buy new strings there and they had a look at my bass, which is a Squire Bronco (still love that thing), they told me the action was way high and needed a set up. Left it there and picked it up two days later and it was playability was like you said...magic.

if you're a beginner, its ok if you don't know everything that needs to be done to maintain your instrument. the important thing is to learn and ask the luthiers questions when you are there!

Evil Undead · #8 04-23-2011, 07:51 AM

In my experience, even the most expensive instruments can feel like cack if the set up is bad. And you can get a cheap bass to play really well with a good set up.

I had a bass a couple of years ago and it was horrible to play, so I took it for a set up and it was like a brand new instrument.

Evil Undead · #9 04-23-2011, 07:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by miltslackford

why not just sell your bass and get a different one? Aren't you overthinking this a bit?

-1

Andy.mpeg · #10 04-23-2011, 09:26 AM

Alright, thanks for all the advice

I think I'll finally take it in for the set-up it deserves. Just one more question - how much would it likely cost me? I'm planning on bringing my own new set of strings, so just for the service, how much would I be looking at? I've only been playing for just over a year now so I still have much to learn x)

omnimutant · #11 04-23-2011, 10:51 AM

Shouldn't be more then $50 or so if you have your own strings, unless there's some serious issues with it.

turbo chicken · #12 04-23-2011, 11:25 AM

i think GC charges 30ish plus strings....

**251** · #13 04-23-2011, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

Alright, thanks for all the advice

I think I'll finally take it in for the set-up it deserves. Just one more question - how much would it likely cost me? I'm planning on bringing my own new set of strings, so just for the service, how much would I be looking at? I've only been playing for just over a year now so I still have much to learn x)

Bringing strings to a set up will not make a friend of the luthier. Tell him/her which strings you want & ask what they will cost. It usually doesn't cost more & it puts a few dollars in the luthier's pocket. Those are dollars you would have spent elsewhere, anyway. If the luthier says he can''t get the strings, doesn't care ... then bring strings. I find I get better service & have fewer questions about what I got for my $$ if I treat a craftsman with respect rather than as a servant. YRMV.

unclejane · #14 04-23-2011, 04:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy.mpeg

It really doesn't feel bad, but just not as good as I'd like it to. Your thoughts?

Try to identify what exactly it is you don't like about it; then you'll be much better equipped to fix it, either by modding/repairing your current bass or getting a different one. Common ergonomic problems are things like:
- neck dive (you have to hold the neck up with your fretting hand)
- neck too wide or thin
- string spacing too wide or narrow
- setup problems like action too high, relief incorrect leading to difficult action or excessive buzzing, etc.

Common tone problems are
- muddy, indistinct sound (or the reverse - too clear/clean, need a more "traditional" sound).
- pickup placement incorrect or undesirable
- just wrong voicing for your preferences in general - too trebly, nasally, or too fat and heavy, etc.

It can be one or two of these, or even a whole constellation of things you don't like. But it's important to clarify what the problems are exactly, or at least as close as you can. Trial-and-error can really be expensive without at least some idea of what you like in a bass and what you don't like. Yeah, there will be a certain amount of trying different things out, but it'll go easier and cheaper if you have a good idea of what to look for first.

For instance, for me, the most important characteristics are good balance and clear tone with a firm initial "attack" on the notes. The first thing I had to ditch was frets - going fretless was the first thing I did. Next, I have to have the bridge PU centered approx. 3" from the bridge (34" scale bass). This is where the string tension is just right and I always pluck over the pickup. That narrowed my search down considerably (lots of basses have the bridge PU in this region). So far, the best match for these fit/tone requirements for me has been the Carvin Bunny Brunel - it's main feature is good balance and good full clear tone. Also, the stock bridge humbucker is in exactly the right place. It's also available in a fretless model. Sold..... I have a G&L L2000 that's a pretty close fit also.

So basically, list your main wants and needs, then go find a bass that has them (for an affordable cost of course).

LS

Andy.mpeg · #15 04-23-2011, 06:23 PM

Thanks for all the advice, I'm very glad it eventually occurred to me to come here to ask for it. I might take 251's advice and not bring my own strings, although it's very tempting since I live in Australia and bass strings are about $60 per set which is pretty insane, especially since I'm just a teenager without a whole lot of money to throw around... As opposed to the $20 it costs me to get a fresh set from webstrings.com

And thank you for that list, unclejane, I'm carefully scrutinising every one of those aspects at this very moment. :]

kr0n · #16 04-24-2011, 01:06 AM

I'd rather spend the $60 (60-70€ for me) on a set of good strings than pay $20 for crappy strings that require retuning after a song.

Andy.mpeg · #17 04-24-2011, 02:13 AM

True, but they're actually pretty good strings and certainly don't need to be retuned after every song. I discovered them from this very forum, there seem to be a fair few who love them

So Low Bass · #18 04-24-2011, 07:37 AM

"... doesn't feel awesome "compared to what?

Evil Undead · #19 04-24-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by So Low Bass

"... doesn't feel awesome "compared to what?

The first post answers that question dude

sikamikanico · #20 04-24-2011, 08:12 AM

yeah, i never thought of asking the luthier to provide the strings, but it makes sense in some way... in the end, you can keep yours and use them when you replace the strings...

every bass needs some work from time to time, to get it back in perfect order... this just reminded me that my bass might be due for some maintenance, although I'm not a picky player...

i find string height the most important aspect of a set-up (comfort-wise). not so much the overall height (action; I like it relatively high anyway) as the relative height of every string compared to the other 3 (or 4 or 5). it has to follow the radius of the fretboard, but also take different gauges into account + personal preference and other factors, all of which make it an art (or science, if measuring tools are used)!