Im getting tired of factory setup complaints

[Razzpukin]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.



OT, but that's actually something that I've encountered a few times over the years.
And I don't have worked on a lot of P-basses.
Played even less, I don't quite like 'em .

Only one genuine Fender split P if my memory serves me correctly, but quite a few cheap copies.

The catch is either to have a PU that's wound straight on the polepieces, which tends to short the winding eventually as the polepieces move, or the more common failure method of the magnet detaching.

The first obviously kills the PU, the second either kills it completely or there's just a whisper.

Regards
Sam

What!?!?! Then some people, who think they do, DON'T know everything!?!?!? Hmmmmmm?

[bootsox]

I love them, people sell good gear cheap because it's setup like garbage

[Munjibunga]

Haven't I seen some posts here in which the recipient complains about a new bass not being in tune out of the box?

[Razzpukin]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Hi.



OT, but that's actually something that I've encountered a few times over the years.
And I don't have worked on a lot of P-basses.
Played even less, I don't quite like 'em .

Only one genuine Fender split P if my memory serves me correctly, but quite a few cheap copies.

The catch is either to have a PU that's wound straight on the polepieces, which tends to short the winding eventually as the polepieces move, or the more common failure method of the magnet detaching.

The first obviously kills the PU, the second either kills it completely or there's just a whisper.

Regards
Sam

Btw, thanks for backing me up

[soulman969]

It's not asking too much that a new bass arrive undamaged, in proper working order and set up to factory spec so that it's at least playable when you take it out of it's box or case.

I believe most manufacturers take a certain degree of pride in doing that. I know the few that I've bought new certainly met that criteria. But if you're expecting more than that hdracer has it nailed right here.

Originally Posted by hdracer;
"Expecting a bass that was boxed up and shipped from the manufacture to a distributor and have it sit in their warehouse for who knows how long and then shipped to you and expecting it to be set up the way you like it is crazy".

If that's what you were expecting kwitcher-bitchin'. It ain't gonna happen. Nobody in China, Korea, Mexico, Germany or even California know how you like your bass setup. So buy a few tools, get some know how and learn to do it yourself. It's just not that hard to do!

[henry2513]

Originally Posted by two fingers

Heck I wouldn't even dream of spending a couple grand on a bass until I put MY Allen wrenches on it.

This.

[bumperbass]

I agree that a bass should be somewhere close out of the box. The action should be somewhere playable. My main gripe is high nut height. Yeah, I've done setups on all my instruments almost since day one, but I don't think I should have to buy a set of nut files in all gauges to make my instrument playable. Most basses and guitars I pick up off the rack have a nut height that's too high. I know when I bought an acoustic for my daughter, I tuned it up and was showing her a few chords. I knew I'd better get the nut fixed or else she'd lose all interest pretty quickly. It was Deja Vu to MY first six-string, which my father had to get fixed for me. While I don't own a REAL set of bass nut files (but should), I get by with some common sense using one of those cheap-o '10 files in a pack' deals.

[Kmonk]

Originally Posted by hdracer

Cars do not need tune ups any more. They haven't for more then 20 years.
You change the oil and do a service at 25,000-50,000 miles on most cars and trucks.


Depending on what part of the country you live expecting a music store to keep all of their guitars and basses set up perfectly is crazy. Around here the set up will change every other week.
And who is to say how it should be set up? The way I like it? The way you like it?

Expecting a bass that was boxed up and shipped from the manufacture to a distributor and have it sit in their warehouse for who knows how long and then shipped to you and expecting it to be set up the way you like it is crazy.

When I buy a bass I order the strings I like at the same time.
When I get it I do a full set up on it including setting the nut the way I like it, check all the fret's and dress as needed check ever screw and solder joint. By the time I plug it into my amp it is gig ready and plays the way I want it to.
It's not rocket science.

Absolutely NOT TRUE! The longest you can go without an oil change on any car is 10,000 miles and this is the exception not on "Most Cars". Some VW models which use Mobil 1 full synthetic oil suggest 10,000 miles in easy driving conditions. There isn't even one manufacturer which has a recommended 25,000 to 50,000 oi; change. The longest for a "tune up" is 100,000 miles. Modern cars only need to change plugs and filters for a tune up. I know this because my family has owned auto parts stores for over 40 years.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Razzpukin

Btw, thanks for backing me up

You're welcome.

Originally Posted by Razzpukin

What!?!?! Then some people, who think they do, DON'T know everything!?!?!? Hmmmmmm?

Usually they just haven't encountered the said situation. For a reason or another.

The way I read georgestrings's reply is that he doesn't deny the possibility, just that he has never seen that to happen.

Some folks are blessed in a way that they get to work with quality, regardless of the field of intrest, some like me are hopeless junkyard rats and crap-magnets who are drawn to and attract...JUNK .

Take a wild guess who get more experience about things NOT working .
Not that I'd mind, wouldn't have it any other way.

Regards
Sam

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by Kmonk

Absolutely NOT TRUE! The longest you can go without an oil change on any car is 10,000 miles and this is the exception not on "Most Cars". Some VW models which use Mobil 1 full synthetic oil suggest 10,000 miles in easy driving conditions. There isn't even one manufacturer which has a recommended 25,000 to 50,000 oi; change. The longest for a "tune up" is 100,000 miles. Modern cars only need to change plugs and filters for a tune up. I know this because my family has owned auto parts stores for over 40 years.

Calm down,
I meant you change the oil at regular intervals.
I know this because I have been a professional mechanic for 45+ years and own my own shop

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by Makatak

I know its nice to have a " plug and play " instrument but there are so many preferences people have regarding String Height , relief , pickup height etc , it astounds me how many people give a Bass maybe a 4 star rating instead of 5 because the factory setup wasnt great, *** ?? From where I sit thats like someone not liking a car straight off because the drivers seat was way forward when all it takes is adjustment . Im sure if you`re buying a budget instrument , its gonna have a budget setup ? , saying that ive even picked up an Alembic which made me feel like id run a marathon after playing it for 5 minutes .

Ya ... what he said!!!!

[Razzpukin]

Originally Posted by T-Bird

Usually they just haven't encountered the said situation. For a reason or another.

Then they should question someone who has

Originally Posted by T-Bird

The way I read georgestrings's reply is that he doesn't deny the possibility, just that he has never seen that to happen.

I took it just like he intended, condescendingly

[exidor]

man I hate it when I buy new shoes and I have to re lace them.they should be laced just right out of the box!
stupid shoe stores!

[hdracer]

Originally Posted by exidor

man I hate it when I buy new shoes and I have to re lace them.they should be laced just right out of the box!
stupid shoe stores!

ROLF!!
You mean I'm not the only one that wants my shoes laced a certain way?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by Razzpukin

I took it just like he intended, condescendingly

Can't speak on the fellow TBer's behalf, but it didn't strike me as that condencending.

Welcome to the internet hierarchy anyway.
The day You register, is the day you're born.


And the day You pay up, then you are of age and can mingle with the rest of the grown ups .

I'm rather old so I don't mind or even want that. Yet anyway .
If You want my advice, don't mind that either, waaaay easier on the nerves that way methinks.

Regards
Sam

[Razzpukin]

Maybe i just read it that way, if that is the case, i apologize

[skychief]

Originally Posted by Makatak

...ive even picked up an Alembic which made me feel like id run a marathon after playing it for 5 minutes .

Ive never had the opportunity to play an Alembic, but i feel your pain,

Paid $1400+ for a new bass and it wasn't set up at all.. Fortunately, a turn and a half of the truss rod and some tweaking on the bridge saddles yielded a great player.

I guess its something we just gotta accept with stringed instruments.

[Templar]

Originally Posted by bumperbass

Most basses and guitars I pick up off the rack have a nut height that's too high.

Too true. Nut slot depth is crucial, yet often overlooked. Many players don't know how to check for proper depth, or are unaware of its importance.

[eddododo]

Originally Posted by Makatak

I know its nice to have a " plug and play " instrument but there are so many preferences people have regarding String Height , relief , pickup height etc , it astounds me how many people give a Bass maybe a 4 star rating instead of 5 because the factory setup wasnt great, *** ?? From where I sit thats like someone not liking a car straight off because the drivers seat was way forward when all it takes is adjustment . Im sure if you`re buying a budget instrument , its gonna have a budget setup ? , saying that ive even picked up an Alembic which made me feel like id run a marathon after playing it for 5 minutes .

But theres a big difference in the driver's seat being forward and the steering wheel being in the backseat.

By that I mean: a bass doesn't have to be set up to my liking to be well-enough set up to be analyzed.. A good setup you hate isnt the same as a terrible and uneven setup

[James Judson]

I find it interesting that 3 pages in no one has mentioned "LUTHIER". Ya'll youtube Guitar Summit and you'll find 3 guitarist that are over the top good. These guys are each national acts. I had the privilege of asking each of them how often their guitars see a Luthier and all three said "about every 6 months". If a set up was so easy why don't they do it themselves?

I been playing since 1965 and my Luthier sees things that I just don't see unless pointed out. I do most of my own set ups but my Luthier is worth his weight in gold.

I used to frequent GC and spend hours playing every guitar I can reach. My take??? If you buy a new guitar, drop it off at a good Luthier on your way home and you'll have one fine instrument. Price doesn't matter. I've played many $4000.00 instruments that need a set up. Besides that new instrument is probably made of wood and the weather "WILL" reek havoc over the next several years so you should know a good Luthier even if it doesn't need a set up right now.

My advice is find a good Luthier before you buy any stringed instrument.

YMMV