I hate to break up the different finishes theme of this thread, but I have a setup observation and question.
I do my own setups on all my basses. The norm is to set the relief for a bit of relief, just a little more than what is detectable by eye (I'm too much of a neanderthal to actually make measurements with measurement devices).
This works well with my Mike Lull basses, all the Fenders I've owned, and so far, the Music ManStingray SR5s I've owned. I continued this procedure with my current Stingray Special 5H.
However, I sat down last light to practice for this week's work. I picked up the Stingray Special and after a few minutes, I went "harumph" (literally). It just didn't feel quite right. A buzz here, a clank there, so I started looking at the action. I've been playing bass for a few gigs, but this may be the first "me" time I've had with this bass in a while. Way overdue.
The neck "looked" (I know...) like a touch too much relief. So I tightened down the neck, retuned the strings and raised the saddles a touch. Better. But still...
No, it can't be, but why not try?
So I set the neck to damn near straight. I mean, I have to really stare at the length of the neck to tell that the neck is straight or very nearly. Retuned and raised the strings another touch. Wow, now we are talking!
I played the Special for another hour last night and sat down with it again tonight. Feels really good, even, no buzzing or clanking. It really feels like a new bass.
I was wondering how other Stingray Special users are finding their best setup preferences? Of course, these preferences will vary wildly between players, I know better than to look for a consensus. I really need to learn to use measurements and measuring tools to be sure and just replicate what I've set up and like. And with my gorilla-grip technique, I'm not terribly sensitive to the nuances and details of one setup or the other. I throw on strings, whack the bass into shape and go. Work to do, doncha know.....
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