Er, yeah... I managed to negotiate a 'hands-off' approach to that one segment of my finances. the rest of the toys I'd been planning to get over the next few years are essentially cancelled, though. Apparently babies are pricey...
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Er, yeah... I managed to negotiate a 'hands-off' approach to that one segment of my finances. the rest of the toys I'd been planning to get over the next few years are essentially cancelled, though. Apparently babies are pricey...
Regarding setups...
I have a more holistic approach. I do it purely by feel. I just know how much a string will bounce for the right amount of relief for a low action setup, and likewise, for more of a Will Lee kinda' "I dig in like crazy" setup. Honestly, setup guides that give me specific measurements just get in my way. I also enjoy varying things with my mood. Like right now, I'm really into a fairly median setup. Gives me enough space to dig in and get that nice angry hard hitting tone when I need it, but then also does well with a lighter touch.
Bottom line is, this stuff is, and should be, SO totally subjective/personal, and it should change with our "musical mood swings" as it were.
Setup guides are GREAT for beginners looking for a baseline, but IMHO, that's all they should be. I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it again... we should all be very well versed in doing our own setups, and not be afraid to tweak it one way or another over time. It's EASY, doesn't require any special tools, and IMHO, fun to mess with.
The key to the whole thing is starting with a bass that's made right... one that can easily take any type of setup without having to battle heel rise or fret level issues, etc... yeah, like a Sadowsky.
Peace.
I have a more holistic approach. I do it purely by feel. I just know how much a string will bounce for the right amount of relief for a low action setup, and likewise, for more of a Will Lee kinda' "I dig in like crazy" setup. Honestly, setup guides that give me specific measurements just get in my way. I also enjoy varying things with my mood. Like right now, I'm really into a fairly median setup. Gives me enough space to dig in and get that nice angry hard hitting tone when I need it, but then also does well with a lighter touch.
Bottom line is, this stuff is, and should be, SO totally subjective/personal, and it should change with our "musical mood swings" as it were.
Setup guides are GREAT for beginners looking for a baseline, but IMHO, that's all they should be. I've said it a thousand times, and I'll say it again... we should all be very well versed in doing our own setups, and not be afraid to tweak it one way or another over time. It's EASY, doesn't require any special tools, and IMHO, fun to mess with.
The key to the whole thing is starting with a bass that's made right... one that can easily take any type of setup without having to battle heel rise or fret level issues, etc... yeah, like a Sadowsky.
Peace.
Totally agree with this...I'm usually cool with setups, although all the basses I've ever owned to this point had little to no fret buzz high up so I've hardly ever adjusted relief...but yea, I do it by feel as well...get as low as possible and then slowly raise action til it feels right...and i tend not to follow the radius when it comes to the E and B string, I like it at the same level or even a HAIR higher than the A...just feels better to me and sounds better IMO when slapping.
True, and i was the same for years. I STILL recommend you try the above. For me it was truly a revelation and i find with the measurements i can experiment with different settings and get EXACTLY back to where i started. And each bass has kind of a 'sweet spot'. I will say also that sticking to Roger's recommended pickup height makes a big difference, especially with the PJ setup.
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I agree with the feel approach to action. I use a progressive setting where the 4 strings get 1/64" lower each from E to D & then slightly lower from the D to G. This allows me to bar the strings comfortably when fretting rather than moving finger tips around too much & I have the E set to "dig in" ht so there's no clack. Just as important to me is the sweet spot for pup ht. ( a balance of volume to tone.) The P pup is ideal for this & the bridge J pup w/ raised A & D poles actually works out well with this set. I just adjust to what balance I'm hearing.
B.
B.
Reading glasses and 1/64 rule work well. My ideal is 5/64 on the b - fretted at first and measured at 15th, with the g ~ 4/64. At the same time I set the neck near dead flat, just slight relief, not measured - based on rattle while fretting at third... oops... edited to be 64ths and not 32nds
Measurements? Bah! I just eyeball it. Additionally, I can probably count on one hand the times I've had to adjust the truss rod on both my Sads combined. 
LizzyD said:Measurements? Bah! I just eyeball it. Additionally, I can probably count on one hand the times I've had to adjust the truss rod on both my Sads combined.
This. You rock, Lizzy.
I haven't had to do much adjustment on any of my Sads but did raise the action on my new WL a little bit since I dig in like a madman while playing rock.
Hi
I just drive to NYC and let the experts do it!!. Good excuse to visit the shop, also. Upstate NY is a wacky climate. I adjust my truss rod more than most of you. Then again, I have the action super low
Rob
I just drive to NYC and let the experts do it!!. Good excuse to visit the shop, also. Upstate NY is a wacky climate. I adjust my truss rod more than most of you. Then again, I have the action super low
Rob
Chef
In Memoriam
In Missouri, we have big summer humidity, and small winter humidity; especially once the furnace really starts running all the time.
For most of my bases this means 3-4 small trussrod tweaks a year.
With the Sadowskys, it really couldn't be easier. The spoke wheel means you can do it with dang near anything (including the spiffy little rod that comes with the bass) in nearly no time at all.
For most of my bases this means 3-4 small trussrod tweaks a year.
With the Sadowskys, it really couldn't be easier. The spoke wheel means you can do it with dang near anything (including the spiffy little rod that comes with the bass) in nearly no time at all.
I have the same problem in Ohio. I do like my action really low so I tweak a little more.
Me too, but I'm glad you said it first!
Additionally, I can probably count on one hand the times I've had to adjust the truss rod on both my Sads combined.
I tweak the truss rod more often than you, but that's possibly because I'm constantly trying different strings (brand and type), and tensions can vary wildly. Heck, there's a significant difference in tension between Sadowsky blacks vs. blues. That said, a gentle tweak is all I've ever needed.
Yeah, but that's just 'cause your climate is pretty consistent... it goes from rain to more rain, with an occasional break to not raining, but still super humid.Additionally, I can probably count on one hand the times I've had to adjust the truss rod on both my Sads combined.
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,150
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
Yeah, but that's just 'cause your climate is pretty consistent... it goes from rain to more rain, with an occasional break to not raining, but still super humid.
Lately, I feel like I live in Seattle.
It's been non stop rain for weeks!But, to stay on the setup subject... I tweak the neck maybe twice a year
if needed. That's a big IF! I'm planning on a trip to the shop this summer.
I'd like to get Rob to do a killer setup on my red Standard 4 while I'm there!
Joeykun
pronounced ジョーイくん
- Jun 22, 2007
- 4,200
- 16,150
- Disclosures
- Endorsing: LAKLAND SADOWSKY GENZLER DARKGLASS NORDSTRAND TEMPLEBOARD KIRLIN DRSTRINGS ACCESS
Hmmm. It sounds like coffee.
"Sadowsky Select Dark Roast"
(also available in decaf!)
"Sadowsky Select Dark Roast"
(also available in decaf!)
Sadowsky Select???
