NBD straight to setup

[SaucyJackBass]

Anyone else notice a consistent pattern of getting a new bass from a TB member, everything checks out technically, but it is almost unplayable in its current state. I almost always take it in to get a setup. I'm not complaining since after setup I usually love the bass, but I would feel bad selling a bass that had terrible fret buzz or inconsistent intonation.

I know we all like our action a little different, so maybe it's just me, but does anyone else find that their used purchases need set ups?

 

[BulbousMoses]

Anyone else notice a consistent pattern of getting a new bass from a TB member, everything checks out technically, but it is almost unplayable in its current state. I almost always take it in to get a setup. I'm not complaining since after setup I usually love the bass, but I would feel bad selling a bass that had terrible fret buzz or inconsistent intonation.

I know we all like our action a little different, so maybe it's just me, but does anyone else find that their used purchases need set ups?

Part of the problem could be changes during shipping, especially if the bass is going a long way through several different environments.

 

[phishaholik]

The first thing I do with any bass I buy used is clean it, set it up and put new strings on the bass. I don't really want to be playing on top of other people's funk and it's a rarity that a bass comes to me already set up for my liking.



Michael

 

[Huge]

Even when I buy a bass from a store I at least tweak the setup when I get home. I've never played a bass, that wasn't mine, that was setup the way I like.

 

[MrTaff]

Pretty much every bass I've bought new or used has needed a setup, they've always got the action too high & too much relief for me to play comfortably.

 

[jbybj]

Needing a set up makes perfect sense to me. What I don't understand is why you would take a bass anywhere have somebody else set it up for you.

If you have some disability that prevents you from operating an Allen wrench or a screwdriver then I sincerely apologize. No disrespect intended.

 

[trowaclown]

It makes sense to send a new (to me) bass in to a tech for the first set up. I can't do things like

1. Ensuring the frets are all level, since I haven't got a straight edge.
2. Filing the nut to a proper height, since I haven't the round nut file.

Beyond the first time, however, I do prefer to set it up myself. In fact, I check for intonation again when I get the bass back from the tech, since different people press on the strings differently, and pluck them differently, to cause variations in optimal intonation.

 

[faulknersj]

I have always had to set up every bass i have ever purchased...whether used or new... to my liking....part of the fun imo.

 

[HeavyRockBasser]

I agree. I've been playing for 30 years, and can do most of the set ups, myself. But, assuming you can afford it, it makes a world of sense to get a one-time pro setup, to start things off. In addition to fretwork and the nut, a pro can do any required neck shimming, bridge saddle shaping, and give the electronics some touch up, as well. Sure, I can do all or most of this myself, but there is nothing like a master's touch.

Also, in addition to a deep cleaning, one of the first things I do is to go over the instrument and tighten all of the hardware. My last bass had no less than 14 loose screws, and I could actually see daylight under two of the tuner mounting screws.

 

[Dark Horse]

Anyone else notice a consistent pattern of getting a new bass from a TB member, everything checks out technically, but it is almost unplayable in its current state. I almost always take it in to get a setup. I'm not complaining since after setup I usually love the bass, but I would feel bad selling a bass that had terrible fret buzz or inconsistent intonation.

I know we all like our action a little different, so maybe it's just me, but does anyone else find that their used purchases need set ups?

I do all my own tech work, so i don't worry about it much. In fact I'll often look for basses with intermittent jacks, loose pots, high action, etc so i can get a better deal, even though those things are all easy fixes.

 

[jbybj]

I agree, fret dressing and nut filing is more of an art form than an adjustment. By doing my own first set up, I found that only two of the approxately 40 basses I've owned needed fret work. By set up I mean adjustments, and I have never heard of anyone being anything but happy with switching over to doing their own setups.

 

[Webtroll]

I got a Warwick from a TBer that not only didn't need a setup but I haven't even swapped out the strings yet. Not my favorite strings, but they're clean and snappy so why waste them?

 

[DwaynieAD]

last 2 basses i bought didn't need a setup for years.