How much does a good quality set up cost?

[lowendblues]

Now, do Ric basses have any special needs? I know the truss rods on these suck, and being dual truss rod presents a different challenge. I had to have serious repair work done to my 4003 because I screwed up adjusting my truss rods.

Yes Ricks are a bit different depending on the year, and because of the dual trussrod design. The truss rods dont suck,,, you just dont understand how to adjust them. Go here for some good information: Invalid Link Removed

Everyone should learn to do they're own setups. Only you know how you want your bass to play and feel. Why let someone else try to get it right ?

 

[Kmonk]

Most places will give you a price with strings and a price without. In my area it costs about $65 not including strings. I've only had a bass set up once and was disappointed. I have been doing them myself for years. It isn't hard to do. You just have to take your time and make adjustments slowly and gradually.

 

[202dy]

It's not good for the neck to adjust the truss rod more than a quarter turn each day. .

Absolutely incorrect.

 

[JLS]

I've only paid for a set-up once and it was CRAP! I was very unhappy with what I got for what I paid. You don't know who is going to do the setup, their tastes, nor their experience.

I know it is intimidating at first to try it on your own, but trust me it is worth it. I did my first setup less than a year ago (with no previous knowledge except for what I learned around here and other places online) and am SO glad I did. My basses have never felt so good in my hands.

What I did at first is went to Invalid Link Removed (if you have Fender basses like I do- I am sure you can find the "factory setup" specs for other basses too) and tweaked from there. Most likely the factory setup specs will feel much improved over a bass that hasn't had a setup.

All of this is IME of course. In the small town I live in there are only 3 small music shops and they are VERY good at trying to rip people off. I'm sure I could drive an hour to Nashville and find some awesome places that would give me an awesome setup, but it was definitely much cheaper to buy the tools and learn to do it myself.

Anyone else detect a possible attitude issue here?

 

[Sam Evans]

I dunno, I'm just repeating what I've heard other people say.

Talkbass in a nutshell ...



EDIT: Sorry, but I can't resist sigging this ...

 

[RhynoRock]

The truss rods dont suck,,, you just dont understand how to adjust them.

I'll retract the word "suck".

I was told by a very reputable repair shop in Buffalo, that when Ric updated the 4000 series truss rod system however many years ago, not much improvement was accomplished, they didn't do a whole lot more than make them different than the previous system. Perhaps my use of the word "suck" was too harsh, but coming from a shop who knows doggone well what they're doing, plus the fact that I had owned my 4003 since 2002, bought new, suffered with horrid playability until winter of 2011 after a dozen setup attempts, I'd say they were right, at the very least in my case. My bass required a fretboard beginning to peel off at the nut, resulting in a $250 repair job, to get it right.

I most likely have just gotten a bunk instrument. But thanks for the link to that site! I'll study it heavily.

 

[lowendblues]

The fingerboard separating at the nut is hands down, classic, improper adjustment on the older 4001 rods.

However you mentioned you had a 4003,, odd. Are we sure it wasnt a older 4001?

 

[powmetalbassist]

I just decided to learn to do it. now that I have 3 basses...sending them out twice per year was going to cost me more than the tools required to do it. I only paid $120 for some feeler guages, some allan keys and a few rulers that measure 64ths.

 

[RhynoRock]

Definitely not an older bass. I bought it new at The House of Guitars in '02. Plastic pickup cover, exposed pole pickups, pre vintage tone switch 4003. I can even get the serial # if you'd like when I get to practice today.