Double Bass New Bass Setup and Effect on Price

[mpf]

Newby question: I am looking around for a new bass, and see that the price can vary quite a bit between shops for the same bass. Is this likely due to the difference in how they set up the bass? In other words, in addition to comparing price, do I need to compare what they do to setup the bass? Or do most reputable shops do the same level of setup?

 

[Jeff Bonny]

A luthier could tell you better but from what I've seen with new Chinese instruments they can take several hours to set up well. I'd guess a shop could easily invest $200-$500 or more in labour making a bass play anywhere from pretty well to superbly. I'd suspect that level of initial commitment by the shop varies.

 

[SGT. BAKER]

... Is this likely due to the difference in how they set up the bass? In other words, in addition to comparing price, do I need to compare what they do to setup the bass? Or do most reputable shops do the same level of setup?

From my experience, the level of set up can vary. But wasn´t a relation in the price for this thing. In the most music shops I´ve found basses that the was setup long time ago. Some of them was with a playable setup, but another ones they was hardest to play. When I asked to the shop dealers all they said me the same: "I can´t set up´em all together in the changes of seasons (cold/hot). Only I do it when the customer he asks for". So some basses was setup several months ago. I´ve never seen differences prices for differents set ups.

I ever ask for to the shop dealer set up the bass before to buy it. If he or me can get a good set up I ended up buying it.

The main thing before to buy some bass it checking the stiff and straight of the neck´s bass. If some bass has his neck twist doesn´t matter how much it cost, just don´t buy it.

 

[drurb]

The OP is asking about differing prices for the same model of a new bass. To the OP-- Yes, you should compare what a shop does to set up a bass. No, one cannot count on the same level or quality of setup across shops. Given the paramount importance of the setup, it's wise to buy from a real bass shop with skilled and reputable luthiers. Some shops take new basses and replace various bits of the hardware, etc. Some deliver them with the "factory" parts. Some do a somewhat cursory setup. Some include re-planing of the fingerboard and even replacing the supplied bridge altogether. Perhaps you can tell us a bit more about the basses you're considering. I suspect that we're not talking about the difference between $550 and $600 for a CCB.

 

[mpf]

Thanks all -- and thanks Drurb, that was the conclusion I was coming to after poking around in old posts here. I am looking at a nice hybrid -- a big step up from what I'm playing now. Based on what I've read on tb, the shop with the best price is quite reputable, as is the luthier. I've spoken with the luthier, and it sounds to me like I'll be getting a decent set-up (new bridge, new tailpiece) but not necessarily a pro set-up (no re-planing of the fingerboard, I'll get the factory tuners, etc.). Bottom line, I think the answer is that I have found my next upright.

 

[Greg Clinkingbeard]

When I set up basses (which is nearly every day) the first thing I do is pull the nut and dress the fingerboard. I wish I could skip that step on a plywood bass but it almost never happens. A good setup starts with a good, properly dressed fingerboard. I'll fit the soundpost and carve the supplied bridge, making a nice adjustable bridge for the intermediate level basses. There's a lot of time involved in doing setups, anywhere from 6-12 hours depending on the bass and level of work involved. Other shops have their own standard but that's what I do.

 

[james condino]

It depends upon several things. The amount of "value added" in things such as setup, strings et cetera plays a role. There is also a component of ....how shall I politely put it....overhead, # of ex wives, greed???? I know a shop that charges $5200 for a Chinese bass that I can buy wholesale for about $1400. No amount of setup or extras justifies that. Like everything, shop around, ask a lot of questions, and generally try to be a well informed consumer.

j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com

 

[PaulCannon]

You should also consider any warranties, guarantees, and extras that might be included. Policies vary wildly from shop to shop. Some offer zero warranty on parts or set up, while others will give a one or two year warranty on the instrument and as much as a life time guarantee on their own labor (not including normal wear and tear). Some shops will include a case and bow with entry level basses, some won't.

When I was in the business, our typical set-up for the cheapest basses included fingerboard planing and re-cut nut. We would keep any bridge it came with, but would always re-cut it and re-tap the adjusters for easier use. We would always replace the stock end-pin with something that wouldn't break after two months, and the useless factory strings would be switched out for Helicores. That shop was always dealing with large bulk orders, so we never had time to do much more than that. And I have no idea what our warranty looked like -- that was another department.