Bass Setup - Who Does Their Own?

[Gravedigger Dav]

I've tried a million times to understand how setups work. I've watched videos, read tutorials, and I even took a class on how to do it. I still don't understand how the truss rod works. Every time I try to to sight down the neck, I cannot see what I'm supposed to be looking for. So until I can grasp it, someone else will be doing my setups.

However, i can change strings, tune accurately, set string height at the bridge, and set intonation. I'm just still in the dark on how to safely and accurately adjust the truss in conjunction with the rest of it.

When sighting down the neck, you don't look at the fingerboard part. you want to look down the side of the neck. You will be able to see if there is too much scoop or any hump at all. Which way you need to turn the truss rod will vary by brand and model. Tightening the rod increases the scoop or bow of the neck.
hope that helps.

 

[B-Mac]

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!

I do my own and if I can't get it right for me then I take it to my luthier.
There are so many vids to show you how to do this it just doesn't make sense not to try it yourself.

 

[levis76]

Learn what adjustments your specific bass has, most have truss rod, intonation, and string height, but there’s also pick up height, some may have a neck tilt screw, and some have adjustable nut height. Learn what you have to work with and make small adjustments and don’t force anything and you should be fine. Some people like low action with thin strings, others like higher action with suspension bridge cables for strings. It’s all about what works for you as an individual.

Or do none of that, and take it to a shop to have them do a generic setup for you. I say generic because unless you are present for the setup so you can try it out while the guy is making the adjustments, it really isn’t setup for you. Most techs will try to set the action as low as they can without getting too much fret buzz. A good tech will ask you some questions about your playing style to achieve something you’ll find suitable.

EDIT: I do my own setups, but I don’t look down on others that don’t.

 

[GRS1959]

All the links posted look great, but let'e be careful people. Don't go too far down the YouTube rabbit hole or you will be reporting back here about lizard people among us and that the earth is flat.

 

[klejst]

Call me nuts, but unless it's something very apparent I hardly get a pro setup on my basses.

 

[EricMordus]

I can hardly work Lego
Seriously, I'm a spaz with tools

 

[CatchaCuda]

@friskinator
A basic way to think of it.
At your gig, the strings pull the headstock end of the neck towards the audience. The truss rod is there to counteract that pull. Tightening the truss rod pulls the headstock towards the stage. Loosening the rod favors the string pull, to the audience.

By measuring relief, you can see the change on a ruler.

 

[bassliner50]

Get over it. Do your own setup. Full understanding and most maintenance of your instruments and gear is your responsibility if you are in this for the long haul.

 

[fretlessguy]

I do all my own except for the for the older Fenders I have that you have to take off the neck to adjust it. I leave those to the experts.

 

[Slevage]

Basic stuff I do.
Fret and nut filing NO.

 

[Doner Designs]

The longer neck and higher string tension of a bass vs a guitar makes it more important to learn how to do it yourself unless you live and play in a humidity controlled environment. I end up tweaking my truss rods at least four times a year in order to keep the action the way I like it - low but without any buzz. Very slight changes in humidity can upset that delicate balance.

 

[RiZzBot]

This guy got me started. Check out his books too.

 

[Fat Nermil]

I found as a new player, learning to adjust the action, intonation, etc... helped me become so much more comfortable with my new instrument. Learning the basics helped pull back some of the veil of mystery. I used a few sources, including this John Carruthers series:

 

[Fat Nermil]

This guy got me started. Check out his books too.

Beat me to it by a few seconds! I really liked these vids, too.

 

[ClassicJazz]

I've been doing my own for years, a necessity when you are on the road touring. Really not rocket science, just make small adjustments when it comes to the neck. The only real challenge was back when I had an Alembic which has two truss rods (like a Rickenbacker). So not only can you adjust bow, but also twist. And have become a master at making neck shims from business cards! Here my home work bench.... The bass on it is my first home build bass. Made from custom Warmoth neck and body. Besides the making of the body and neck, had to do everything else from installing shielding, drilling holes for the tuners and pickguard, cleaning and dressing the frets and installing everything as well as final setup.

 

[Pops OB]

91% do their own setup?! Seriously? I’ve been doing my own setup and all of my friends’ setups for many years. Seems to me the number should be closer to 5%... or less.

 

[J_Bass]

I don't, but I gonna start doing it myself.

 

[flyingfinbar]

91% do their own setup?! Seriously? I’ve been doing my own setup and all of my friends’ setups for many years. Seems to me the number should be closer to 5% or less.

Yeah, I find that hard to believe, haha. I think one limitation of this survey is that there is an inherent bias amongst individuals that do their own setups...they’re far more likely to want to shout it from a mountain that they do their own, and you should too! Those that don’t, such as myself, tend to keep that information to themselves. Because it’s embarassing, haha. I’m gonna start, though!

I just hate how Fenders require a removal of the neck for truss adjustments. Most of my gear is Fender, ugh.

 

[Fight4Bottom]

Don't go too far down the YouTube rabbit hole or you will be reporting back here about lizard people among us and that the earth is flat.

Obviously the earth isn't flat, otherwise my cat would've knocked everything off of it by now.

And as others have mentioned, having to remove the neck off some Fenders is a pain. But I still do my own anyway. There's tremendous satisfaction in a job well done, particularly if it saves time and money. But hand-in-hand with that must be the ability to know one's limits. There's a lot I can do with a house, or a car, or a bass, but I also recognize when it's time to call the pro.

 

[Pops OB]

Learn to do our own setup. Sure, it is intimidating at first, but it gets easier as time goes by.

The best thing about it is... when somebody else does a setup, many times it will be to factory specs, and that’s not always the best for you; do your own setup and you will find you can dial in that perfect combination for your style. And while you can tell a third party what you want in a setup, only YOU can fine tune it to your likes.