How to tell if a setup job was bad?

JJBass30 · #1 10-10-2009, 05:20 PM

I just read through the posts on volume. But I'm still not sure what the route of my problem is. I recently had a warped bridge incident. I took it to a local luthier who replaced the bridge and installed adjusters.

Before this I had a good amount of volume and good tome. The setup was a touch to high for my tastes but just a touch. Now I've got the action back to where it was minus a tad. But the volume is significantly dropped and the tone subsequently not as good.

There are a few things that I think could be the problem. The first is the position of the bridge (either too close or too far from the end of the fretboard). The second is that the strings need to be replaced. The third is something was wrong when the bridge was cut or the adjusters were installed.

Somethings that I have already considered are the feet not making full contact and the string height which I'm pretty sure are not factors.

Thanks in advance.

JtheJazzMan · #2 10-10-2009, 05:54 PM

How long ago was the work done?

Basses never sound right just after theyve been set up. But a week of heavy bowing will get the components to settle in.

JJBass30 · #3 10-10-2009, 06:45 PM

It was last Wednesday I got it back. It's a pretty significant difference though.

drurb · #4 10-10-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Basses never sound right just after theyve been set up.

What?

drurb · #5 10-10-2009, 07:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJBass30

There are a few things that I think could be the problem. The first is the position of the bridge (either too close or too far from the end of the fretboard).

It's a "fingerboard" and the position of the bridge is pretty well set and usually marked by the f-hole nicks.

JJBass30 · #6 10-10-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

It's a "fingerboard" and the position of the bridge is pretty well set and usually marked by the f-hole nicks.

Haha my bad I'm new to the upright and used to the electric. Mines about a cm above the nick

JtheJazzMan · #7 10-10-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

What?

hdiddy · #8 10-10-2009, 08:10 PM

Well tuning and de-tuning will certainly affect string life. Maybe your strings just went dead? What kind of strings are they?

Beyond that, I'd give any bass changes about 2 weeks before making judgement whether something worked or not.

JJBass30 · #9 10-10-2009, 08:37 PM

The bass is about half a year old (That's how long I've had it the bass itself is like 15 years old) and it has the strings that came with it

hdiddy · #10 10-10-2009, 09:07 PM

So you don't even know the life of those strings? Yeah they could've gone dead on ya. I'd look at getting another set first and see.

Usually luthiers don't do crappy jobs unless you went to someone unqualified.

reedo35 · #11 10-10-2009, 09:16 PM

Soundpost, anyone?

JJBass30 · #12 10-10-2009, 09:34 PM

I'm doubting the sound post because it was ok and the guy who replaced the bridge didn't touch it.

Yeah my only problem with the string theory is it wasn't gradual it happened while it was gone. would loosening them and tightening them once kill them?

JtheJazzMan · #13 10-10-2009, 09:50 PM

Wait, lets back up. So the bridge is not between the markers in the middle of the F holes?

Alex Scott · #14 10-10-2009, 09:53 PM

Here is some super general stuff to check:

Middle of the bridge lines up with the notches on the inside of the f holes

Bridge feet are flat against the top of the bass

Soundpost can be seen about a soundpost diameter below the g string side bridge foot.

JJBass30 · #15 10-10-2009, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Wait, lets back up. So the bridge is not between the markers in the middle of the F holes?

It's a little above about a cm I intend on moving it down tomorrow. I'll wake people up if I start in on it tonight.

JtheJazzMan · #16 10-10-2009, 09:57 PM

Thats the thing, if the bridge isnt in the correct spot, you dont know if the soundpost is in the correct position in relation to the bridge foot, and that would go a long way to explain your sound issues.

Seems odd that the luthier would do that? I think you should go back to query it.

drurb · #17 10-10-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

What?

You said basses never sound right immediately after they're set up. I don't agree. Sure, there is some settling physically and it may take some time for the player to properly evaluate the changes. Still, in my experience, it is the case that changes (whether they are improvements or not) made during a setup sure are immediately apparent and the character of those changes is essentially present right as the bass comes off the bench. I've heard quite a number of basses sound very "right" immediately after being set up.

JJBass30 · #18 10-10-2009, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JtheJazzMan

Thats the thing, if the bridge isnt in the correct spot, you dont know if the soundpost is in the correct position in relation to the bridge foot, and that would go a long way to explain your sound issues.

Seems odd that the luthier would do that? I think you should go back to query it.

I think the fault might have been mine. I loosened the strings because the action was much to low. and I might have moved the bridge a bit in the process. But it's not a huge distance. Would it really be that significant of a difference?

Andrew McGregor · #19 10-10-2009, 11:09 PM

Yes, it would. Even 1mm matters, 10mm is an enormous shift. So be precise when you put it back.

Also make sure the back of the bridge (the tailpiece side) is accurately square to the top of the bass.

JtheJazzMan · #20 10-10-2009, 11:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JJBass30

I think the fault might have been mine. I loosened the strings because the action was much to low. and I might have moved the bridge a bit in the process. But it's not a huge distance. Would it really be that significant of a difference?

Yeah, considering that the luthier shapes the bottom of the bridge feet to match up with a specific area of the bass (hence affecting contact area) and the soundpost - bridge relationship is down to minute adjustment, and that the bridge is no longer in the intended section of the top.

Actually the short answer is just yes. I would be very surprised if it didnt make a large impact on the tone.

Tone just after setup seems to vary as well apparently. Ive always found it takes some time for the bassy depth to come back to the tone, and for the strings to settle into their proper tone (steel strings). Individual results may vary hey.