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Do you setup your bass?

Who does the setup on your bass?

  • I set-up my own bass

    Votes: 275 88.1%

  • I take my bass to someone else

    Votes: 26 8.3%

  • I feed my bass carrots until it's just right

    Votes: 11 3.5%
  • Total voters
    312
#101
Ralph Notoro said:
Yes, a new guitar especially takes a few adjustments to settle in -- which is why people should learn to do it themselves. Snap a truss rod? I NEVER heard of that happening before. I'd imagine you'd have to literally twist the truss rod about 10 full turns to do that.
Click to expand...


It was a 1968 Kalamazoo bass. 30" scale. Yeah I probably cranked the rod about twenty times too many. I was 16.
 
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#104
bought these today: Invalid Link Removed

also got a $2 metal ruler that does 64ths . . . this thing is nice for $2.

i also got a cheap cort p-bass today for $25 which i am stoked about . . . perfect for a party/travel bass, and to learn with.

i tried adjusting the string height, but i don't have allen keys small enough to lower the saddles. going tomorrow to home depot to look for some as well as some longer screws for the strap locks.

still looking for a decent how-to vid, some are better than others.

also need to get a proper allen key for the truss.
 
#106
I wish I could, but I always seem to screw up the truss rod adjustment. Maybe one of these days I'll learn how.

I just tried to adjust the relief on one of my P basses and my J, and on both the nut wouldn't turn easily and I was afraid to apply more force. (I have enough knowledge to know that the necks have moved a bit).
 
#107
A copy of Dan Erlewine's "How to make your guitar play great" should be owned by every player.
Step-by-step instructions on setups, best $15.00 I ever spent, it's probably saved me $500 so far,
I'm even making my own nuts now thanks to that book, gonna tackle fret leveling one of these days.
 
#111
highway said:
strings lowered just fine, but it looks like my neck is bowing after.

i gotta find a longer allen key for the truss rod so i can try to adjust that.
Click to expand...

You need one of these, works great.

Fender Truss Tool2.JPG
 
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#115
Fleebag said:
Ouch! didn't know they were 40 bucks, my mia jazz came with one and it also fit an mim pbass special I've since sold, don't know about other models.
Click to expand...
i lied, they are $9 on amazon, but i cant say for sure that they will work on this cheap bass.

gotta try to find a key that fits and then work at finding something longer in the same size

EDIT: found out it's 4mm, checked cort website and dismantled my allen set, and the 4mm fit into the truss :P

got a 9" 4mm hex t-bar on amazon for $2.15 + shipping, should be here in 3-5 days.
 
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#116
vmabus said:
Here ya go:
Invalid Link Removed
Click to expand...
so when i do this: Invalid Link Removed

i have a lot of space with my strings . . . when i do the test and hold my strings down with my elbow and fret #1 on the A string.

i initially didnt adjust the neck, but lowered the strings (this is all i've done since receiving the bass), then checked for relief.

the E string is as low as it will go, and the others are set in relation to that.

Invalid Link Removed

not really sure what buzzing is being discussed here.
 
#117
highway said:
bought these today: Invalid Link Removed

also got a $2 metal ruler that does 64ths . . . this thing is nice for $2.

i also got a cheap cort p-bass today for $25 which i am stoked about . . . perfect for a party/travel bass, and to learn with.

i tried adjusting the string height, but i don't have allen keys small enough to lower the saddles. going tomorrow to home depot to look for some as well as some longer screws for the strap locks.

still looking for a decent how-to vid, some are better than others.

also need to get a proper allen key for the truss.
Click to expand...

Here's some pretty in depth vids that also give you measurements for a "neutral" set-up. Basically just an idea of what you're aiming to do by setting it up. Also shows tools used. 4 vids, each on different aspect





 
#119
On a related point... Whilst I do my own set ups I rely more on sound, feel and tuning rather than line of sight up or down the neck

I find the line of sight thing tricky and whilst I check it I don't rely on my judgement with line of sight alone

And whilst some things are more easy to understand in terms of which way to turn things with action and intonation I always go to google or you tube just to double check which direction for turning the truss road

And as the advice goes, little adjustments at a time ...

And .... Lol ... With more ands ...

I am the type of person that should never do a set up in a hurry,

I always need a time when I am not hassled so I can take it step by step ..

Always comes good if I am patient and steady and always ends up a mess if I rush ....

Rossa
 

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