First Set Up?

[Icarus26]

I bought a used OLP bass for $177, condition is decent. I love the tone i can get out of it compared to my Fender for some songs, but there is one problem that i need to have fixed. There is buzzing on the third fret for the BEA strings, (on some other frets in that low region, WHICH I NEED SO BAD) so i think i need to get it 'set up' if thats the right term for it (never been exposed to it). Just wondering, how much do these things cost? I'll probably just go to a local music store, but i need to know how much to bring =]. What does a 'set up' consist of?

[jsingles]

30-50 bucks usually for a setup.
truss rod is adjusted, bridge is adjusted for string height, intonation is adjusted, pickup height is adjusted, general inspection usually as well.

hopefully that buzzing is caused by a poor setup and not poor fretwork in general.

a good setup is an amazing thing, your bass will play MUCH better with a good setup.

[Icarus26]

Originally Posted by jsingles

30-50 bucks usually for a setup.
truss rod is adjusted, bridge is adjusted for string height, intonation is adjusted, pickup height is adjusted, general inspection usually as well.

hopefully that buzzing is caused by a poor setup and not poor fretwork in general.

haha, i know i'm not the best bassist out there, but after a year, i'm pretty sure it's not my fretwork...Hopefully...THIS CALLS FOR PRACTICE! haha. Anyways, a set up for this beat up bass will be good. It'll be a gem, just wait and see. thanks for the info.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I think jsingles ment the fretwork on the fretboard, not Your fretting technique .

If You're anywhere handy and own a hex key suitable for the truss rod, I'd suggest loosening the truss rod for 1/4 of a turn first and see if that helps.

If the problem is most pronounced around the 3rd fret it sure sounds like high 4th fret to me too. You do have a fresh set of strings in it, do you? If the playing is mostly centered on the open, 3rd, 5th and 7th frets there's a tendency to wear the frets and strings on those spots very easily and if the action is low there's buzz.

A professional setup is never a bad thing though, but as every instrument and every player requires a bit different setup, it's a handy skill to have.

Regards
Sam

[joeyl]

check out the setup and repair section, lots of info in the stickies