Going in for a set up: Etiquette?

[Brendon95]

Next week or when I have the time, I plan on taking my bass to a local shop for a set up.

Slightly unrelated, I'm worried because it's a kit bass I built and to put it nicely, it's finish is very DIY "my first project" kind of thing. I love it because it was the first project I've completed by myself (including soldering!) and I'm proud of it (because the poorly done finish just screams "me"!) but I'm afraid of being judged and then feeling bad because there's so much of me in the bass. After that long aside, I digress.

So here's the issue. The shop is one of those that rents school kids their instruments for band and orchestra. I got my first Trumpet there in 5th grade. It's a very snooty place. You'd never expect a store that sells instruments to be dead quiet but here we are. Not a guitar center environment by any means and very by the book. This is the only shop in town, I should mention.

So I'd like to go in and be able to say something like "I'm not sure exactly what I need but I want to be able to play quickly and get a lot of punch out of the strings"...which I'm pretty sure means low action? (I've been watching videos but I'm still afraid to throw around the word action in case there's a follow up question I don't understand)

But would that offend the guy? Is it okay to tell someone how you want your bass to be or should I trust his judgement? Kinda like how you shouldn't ask for ketchup before tasting cause it insults the chef?

Is this just my anxiety or is there merit in this fear?

 

[buldog5151bass]

You are there to get what you want. You shouldn't feel nervous about asking questions. However, you may want to try doing the setup yourself. There are plenty of videos on it, and it's hardly rocket science.

 

[JRA]

just my anxiety

it's hardly rocket science

yeah, OP, you could mess with it yourself and do a successful setup. you just have to be patient with yourself while you learn a few very basic things.

but even if you take it to someone else:
- it's an instrument.
- what it looks like = makes no difference.
- you want it more playable.
- you are willing to pay for a service.
- the only judgement is yours: did he/she/it do a good job?

i'd say: "this is my kit ax, can you help me make it play better? how much?"

relax. good luck!

 

[Orion1985]

Your desired height of action would largely depend on how hard you play and how much fret noise you are ok with/want. You definitely want to tell them how you want your bass set up. When it’s time to pick up your bass make sure to take your time to try it out, don’t be afraid to ask for the action to be brought up or lowered if necessary.

I encourage you to look up some videos on doing your own setups. However, I once took a bass to get a setup. I think the guy doing the setup was primarily a guitar player and the setup was a little too low but I didn’t know better, so I didn’t really say anything. The moral of the story is to take your time trying it out and speak up if it’s not right, it’s not a big deal for the tech to tweak it. The other moral is to learn to do your own setup, it’s not as hard or dangerous as you might think.

 

[RickyT]

Tell them what you want. Low action with out fret buzz. This isn't anything out of the ordinary.

 

[forrestlaw]

Tell them what you want. Low action with out fret buzz. This isn't anything out of the ordinary.

I would tell this to the person you take it to, but also whether you have a light touch or really dig in. If the tech doing your setup has a very light touch and you don't then the definition of "as low as the action will go without fret buzz" will have very different meanings for each of you.

In the long run... don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and do your own setups. It will save you money and you'll always get exactly what you want (If you don't then you have only yourself to blame).

 

[Zooberwerx]

So here's the issue. The shop is one of those that rents school kids their instruments for band and orchestra. I got my first Trumpet there in 5th grade.

So I'd like to go in and be able to say something like "I'm not sure exactly what I need but I want to be able to play quickly and get a lot of punch out of the strings"

Be on your best behavior and maintain a civil discourse...you'll be fine. You may have bigger problems. Does this shop have any experience with this sort of thing? If not, walk away. You'd be better off doing the adjustments yourself (basic set-up) using the TB stickies as a guide. What takes me 30 minutes may take you 3-4 hours but that's half the fun. Another option: do you have any fellow TBers and/or bass players locally who can lend a hand?

Riis

 

[TreySonagras]

Would you tell your stylist how you want your hair cut? Would that offend them? Ask for what you want in your setup and a professional will do that for you.

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Speaking from the other side of the fence, one of the tough parts of doing instrument repair is figuring out what the customer wants. Many customers are really shy and confused about what's "wrong" with their guitar. They just know that they want it fixed. Like a Doctor or an Auto Mechanic, we're there to help you. But you have to tell us where it hurts. Give us as many clues as you can.

 

[Roland GR 88]

I can say honestly that due to Covid there has been a record number of guitars dropped off for service at shops.
If your cousin Vinny had a guitar when he was 9 it went in for ‘repair’ in 2020 along with the plastic Toys’R’Us models and countless home baked electric messes. Like yours potentially.
Ask for whatever you think you need and good tech will fix what they can and pass politely on what they can’t with a detailed explanation.
Good luck

 

[SteveCS]

...
...So here's the issue. The shop is one of those that rents school kids their instruments for band and orchestra.
...

...
...You may have bigger problems. Does this shop have any experience with this sort of thing? If not, walk away.
...

This is a red flag for me. There are thousands of shops that sell/rent entry-level orchestral/band instruments to school.kids. If you are lucky you will get one owned and run by someone who either knows what they are doing or recognises that they don't but uses or employs someone that does. IMHO and IME it would bd better to invest half of the $$ in a few tools and a few hours reading posts from the likes of @Turnaround, then get to it yourself.
YMMV

 

[lokikallas]

You have to be able to agree to either fret level or just a basic setup IMO. There is an additional cost to a fret level that may make the difference between OK and Good setup. Otherwise just make sure you clean your bass of DNA before you have it set up.

 

[RickyT]

I would tell this to the person you take it to, but also whether you have a light touch or really dig in. If the tech doing your setup has a very light touch and you don't then the definition of "as low as the action will go without fret buzz" will have very different meanings for each of you.

Good call. Having a heavy hand could make a big difference.

 

[Renaissance]

What is the problem with your bass that makes you think it needs a setup? A basic setup is pretty simple and there are plenty of folks on here that will answer any of your questions. There is also a ton of information, videos, etc. online.

A useable setup will make a bass play and possibly sound better but if you want to play quicker and get more punch, a setup isn't the first stop I'd make. Do you really know what you want besides "I want it to play better"? There is no perfect setup that just plays great for everyone. Any properly functioning bass can be made playable but you'll need some idea of what you like if you're to get your money's worth. Does this store carry any bass inventory? Play as many basses as you can to see if you find one you like. Take it to the tech and tell him you like this.

Does this store even do setups? Make sure before you hand over your gear.

 

[Cliff Colton]

If anxiety or embarrassment is a concern, speak in 3rd person language: "Can you help me? My little brother built this bass and he needs help setting it up. He likes low action."

In the event the guitar tech makes any comments about the bass that you find hurtful, simply tell him your brother is 7 years old and builds guitars for Gibson. This is his first bass.

 

[walterw]

Tell them what you want. Low action with out fret buzz. This isn't anything out of the ordinary.

quite the opposite unfortunately, that's what everybody wants, including me! it's like asking for a fast car with good gas mileage

it was the first project I've completed by myself (including soldering!) and I'm proud of it (because the poorly done finish just screams "me"!) but I'm afraid of being judged and then feeling bad because there's so much of me in the bass.

if the guy makes you feel judged or whatever then walk, 'cause that guy's an a**hole. a good tech will appreciate your efforts and want to help you get the most out of the result.

that said, it might be that it will need more work than a "store-bought" guitar to get up to snuff, especially fretwork.

either way, once you get it back play it in the store before leaving to see how it feels, it might need to be adjusted a little lower or a little higher to suit your playing style and the tech should be able to easily do that.

 

[zontar]

If someone is going to do a set up for you and they don't listen to you or want to set it up the way you like it, take it elsewhere or learn to do it yourself.

 

[jamro217]

If I was a shop owner still in business after COVID I'd bend over backwards to accommodate any potential customer who walked through the door. If the clerk looks down his nose at you, walk out. They're in business to sell and service instruments regardless of what shape it's in when it arrives. Emergency room doctors don't turn away patients because of their condition. Describe to the tech what it is you want and get a price quote. As others have said, setting up your equipment and gear isn't rocket science and even if you don't have the correct tools a screwdriver and some patience will yield some results. The important part of learning how to do this yourself is knowing how your bass works, what each part does, and how to get the most out of it (including fixing it if it breaks). There are lots of sources here at TB and elsewhere on setups. Unless the instrument in question has serious flaws that render it moribund, save the cash and do it yourself. Worst case scenario is that you hit a snag and don't know how to proceed. What you do then is what you just did. Get on the TB horn and holler for help. Hope this helps.

 

[Turnaround]

quite the opposite unfortunately, that's what everybody wants, including me! it's like asking for a fast car with good gas mileage

And it's about as impossible as asking someone for a piece of string that's just the right length.

 

[dwizum]

I've re-read your post a few times and I have mixed feelings. It seems like a bit of a shame to give your business to a vendor that has an attitude or would look down on your work. Everyone started somewhere. Everyone who builds has built messy things. That's nothing to be ashamed of. You accomplished something. You're better off than the guy who spent that time sitting on his sofa watching garbage TV. Be proud of it.

That said I think you've gotten plenty of good advice - if you do bring the bass to them, be specific and detailed. Use words you are comfortable with. Don't worry about talking about low action or high action if you're not really sure what that means - tell them what you like or don't like, and explain how you play. Tell them what you want. Tell them why you think you need a setup. Going to a tech and saying "I want a setup" is about like calling a pizza shop and saying "bring me a pizza." Yeah, sure, they can technically do that, but you'll be happier if they actually bring you the kind of pizza you like, and the size you have an appetite for. So tell them what you want!