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Bass Setup - Who Does Their Own?

Bass Setup - Who Does Their Own

  • I have a luthier do my bass setup.

    Votes: 43 6.4%

  • I do my own.

    Votes: 604 90.3%

  • Carrots.

    Votes: 22 3.3%
  • Total voters
    669
#181
I take issue with those who say everyone can setup their their own bass because I know one person who can’t. Best TB advice I ever received was to bring a newly acquired bass to a pro for the first setup so at least you know the bass is close to playing at its maximum potential and there’s nothing wrong with it. All those used basses at GC were setup by inexperienced amateur luthier assistant wannabee’s like me who deceived themselves into believing the setup was good and proper because they did it themselves.
 
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#183
At one time a friend would do my set ups for me (bass & guitar)--because he liked doing set ups--but over the years we both got more busy & its as harder to sort out time for that
I had learned some things from him though & also had others do setups at times (Such as ones that came with buying an instrument in a store)
Then one store had a free set up day--and they messed it up
I said to leave the bridge at the height it was & they lowered it.
When I said the action was too low he put a bow in the neck.
Rather than get them to fix that I took it home.
I borrowed Dan Erlewine's The Guitar Player Repair Guide & checked other resources--and practiced truss rod adjustments on a cheap guitar--and then adjusted the aggrieved guitar to where i like it.

the problem with getting someone else to do your set ups (Other than potential cost) is whether they will set it up the way you like it--or the way they like it.
If you do it yourself --then you set it up how you like it.
There are a handful of people I trust to do that.
 
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#185
BostonJazz72 said:
Is it possible to self learn bass setup and maintenance? If so - how? I want to learn how to do basic setup like trust rod adjustments, etc. What essential tools do I need? What books/videos can be recommended?

I am in Chicago and there is a shop called 'Chicago School of Guitar Making' that offers the following course:

Guitar Set-Up & Maintenance - Chicago Workshops - Specimen Products

Has anyone taken this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
I became unhappy with the work being done in my area, also the time and expense involved. I’m handy, so I slowly started doing my own set ups by going online, watching tutorials, and just experimenting. Over the last 10 years I assembled tools, and measuring devices. I now do everything myself, except refretting. It’s very satisfying to be able to get everything the way I like, and make changes when necessary.
 
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#188
songwriter21 said:
This may be blasphemy, but I have never used gauges, rulers, or any kind of measuring tools. It makes more sense to me, to go by feel and eye, rather than a measurement. Measurements can also be different over time, as the wood can change.
Click to expand...

That's right . I started playing in the '60s and have always done it by feel and sight - no tools. It's not rocket science.
 
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#189
I learnt to repair, renovate and set up guitars first by buying beat up old guitars from charity shops and doing them up. They then got sold on.

Then i started playing bass so went through the same process culminating in building a j bass from scratch (I bought in the neck).

Since then I have learned how to straighten bowed necks, level and crown frets, sort out shielding issues and lots more.

There is a plethora of info on the internet and youtube but treat it all with caution because there really is some crap out there.

Don't buy the complete set of tools that you MIGHT need but buy for the job in hand. Like me you will eventually build up a good collection.

Start with a 6 inch engineer's rule, a set of feeler gauges, various sizes Philips (not pozidrive) screwdrivers and a set of Allen keys. That should be all you need for setup, no repair tools needed yet.

The piece of advice I give to anyone trying DIY for the first time is to take your time and pay attention to detail.

Enjoy your fettling
 
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#192
Haven’t read the entire thread, but I learned a ton of stuff from Dave on “Dave’s World of Fun Stuff” YouTube channel. He’s funny as hell, too, with a kind of crusty, Archie Bunker-like charm. He’s given me the confidence to remove and straighten necks, solder pots and pickups, set intonation (for the nation), and even plug and redrill bridge mounting screws. Yes, I’ve screwed a few things up, but have also had some great successes.
 
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#194
flyingfinbar said:
Honest question:

I’ve literally never removed the neck of a bass before. My Fenders require me to do so to adjust the truss rod. Is there a set protocol for the removal and installation of a standard bolt-on neck? Thanks!
Click to expand...

It’s always more work on those necks that must be removed to access the adjustment screw. Get a notched straight edge for Fenders and check the relief. Fender publishes its specs. Unfortunately, it may take a few adjustments until you find what is best for you, but manufacturer specs are the place to start. Remember specs are to made for standardization, but that is not always the best for you.
 
#195
flyingfinbar said:
Honest question:

I’ve literally never removed the neck of a bass before. My Fenders require me to do so to adjust the truss rod. Is there a set protocol for the removal and installation of a standard bolt-on neck? Thanks!
Click to expand...
As far as removing the neck plate, I don't think there's a set protocol. I use the same method as changing a car tire, depending on how many screws are involved. (Usually 4, my Samick GB Corsair has 5, and I've seen a few with 6). I use a crisscross pattern when removing them and try to put them back in in the reverse order, and don't fully tighten them until I have them all in about 1/4 inch from all the way. I use my drill driver for that part. Then I tighten them down fully, being careful not to over tighten them. I usually finish the job with a screwdriver so I won't. If you do decide to put them all the way in with the drill driver, only do that if you can set the torque. Most modern cordless models have that capability.
 
#196
BostonJazz72 said:
Is it possible to self learn bass setup and maintenance? If so - how? I want to learn how to do basic setup like trust rod adjustments, etc. What essential tools do I need? What books/videos can be recommended?

I am in Chicago and there is a shop called 'Chicago School of Guitar Making' that offers the following course:

Guitar Set-Up & Maintenance - Chicago Workshops - Specimen Products

Has anyone taken this?

Thanks!
Click to expand...
There are loads of YouTube videos and, if you are patient and gentle, a basic set up is very easy, takes only a few minutes and only needs a couple of hex keys. Try the Joe Walsh setup video first...
 
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#198
On my way.... Bought this Squier Jaguar off Reverb for around 100 bucks. Action was super high. Now it’s much better. And surprisingly I haven’t broken anything yet. Still waiting for my understring radius tools and fretboard straight edge notched ruler but so far so good.
87E2C517-A181-4E63-A9C0-39608D6E20AF.jpeg
 
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#200
Online research, YouTube, talking to luthiers... I did my research, started off with small things, did my own setups for the last 15 years. Now I’ve worked my way up to doing my own refrets. I started on a cheap trashed neck, had great results. A few days ago, I refretted a US Fender Strat. It was my third refret. It’s not perfect, but very close. It plays like buttah and looks fantastic! I did the work for free for a friend. He did buy a tool and the needed supplies.

If you’re decently handy, you can do setups and more.
 
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