Please help me set up my new Epiphone Thunderbird IV BASS

[Tom Ward]

G’day everyone
I have just received my brand new Epiphone Thunderbird IV Bass guitar! Wanted one for ages and finally got it - however straight out of the box its set up is horrible!
String height is so high from the fret board I could build a townhouse in between!!
Please could someone in “easy, fool-proof” instructions guide me how to set this up so it feels and sounds as sexy as it should

 

[ColdAsThe Snow]

I'd go for neck relief of 0.012, set your string height to 5/64 (ish) or whatever is comfortable. For the 3 point bridge, do not set it flat - the back two screws must be lower than the one at the front, or the whole thing may be pulled out of the body when it's under tension. The thread on the screws should be cut in threads per inch, so turn them all the same amount (if the back two are the same height) to raise or lower the string height. If your nut action is too high, you'll have to get the files out or take it to a pro. If you lower the strings, remember you may need to lower your pickups too.

As ever, it depends on your style or whatever you find comfortable and like the sound of. Thats roughly how my Thunderbird is set up.

 

[Tom Ward]

I'd go for neck relief of 0.012, set your string height to 5/64 (ish) or whatever is comfortable. For the 3 point bridge, do not set it flat - the back two screws must be lower than the one at the front, or the whole thing may be pulled out of the body when it's under tension. The thread on the screws should be cut in threads per inch, so turn them all the same amount (if the back two are the same height) to raise or lower the string height. If your nut action is too high, you'll have to get the files out or take it to a pro. If you lower the strings, remember you may need to lower your pickups too.

As ever, it depends on your style or whatever you find comfortable and like the sound of. Thats roughly how my Thunderbird is set up.

Hey thx for that, really appreciate u writing that to help me.

Ok so if I don’t have any gauges, I should just go on feel, so what feels good to me.

So out of the box the strings are so high of the fret board - should I start at the bridge and not the trussrod?

 

[ColdAsThe Snow]

Truss rod first, but without the gauges, it could be tough. Fret the first fret, the 17th fret, and see if there is a gap between the string and the 7th fret that you can press the string down in. It should only be slight but like I say, without gauges I can't really tell you what to look for.

String height you can do by lowering them evenly and using a common ruler, but you don't want any fret buzz. Frets, even on a brand new axe, may not be perfectly level, so keep that in mind as they will be the cause if the sound chokes out or buzzes anywhere high up the fretboard.

Without the tools I'd recommend taking it in to a shop. If it's new and the frets don't need work, a quick set up and some new strings will be very worthwhile and inexpensive.

 

[Gilmourisgod]

You need a capo, feeler guages, and hex keys or screwdrivers to fit the truss rod and saddle adjusters, and a tuner. You can improvise a capo with a pencil and rubber bands. Do this 4 part setup in the exact sequence shown. If it still doesnt play right, you have neck issues, return it or take it to a Pro.

 

[Tom Ward]

You need a capo, feeler guages, and hex keys or screwdrivers to fit the truss rod and saddle adjusters, and a tuner. You can improvise a capo with a pencil and rubber bands. Do this 4 part setup in the exact sequence shown. If it still doesnt play right, you have neck issues, return it or take it to a Pro.

Cheers mate

 

[Turnaround]

If you don’t have feeler gauges, use a business card (not a credit card) to set relief. Fret simultaneously at the first and 17th frets, measure at the 7th - a business card should just fit in there. Once you get that right, adjust the string height at the saddles using a ruler.