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Proper way to set up a fretless

Discussion in 'Hardware, Setup & Repair [BG]' started by progplayer, Nov 7, 2001.

  1. Nov 7, 2001 #1
    progplayer

    progplayer

    Nov 7, 2001
    I just bought a new Warwick Corvette Standard Fretless. I'll have a few questions on this and hopfully u guys can offer advice.

    First off the neck. It seems to be bowed back a bit and the string height is pretty high. My other bass the action is really low and the neck is almost straight. Seeing I bought this brand new and I think Warwick set this bass up (who knows maybe not, maybe it got dropped!?!?!?? :mad: ) before shipping, I want to assume that this bass is set up correctly (but then again maybe not)

    My question: does a fretless bass need to have a higher action than a fretted? I like low action but if it effects the TONE of the fretless I don't want to touch it. Please help me before I start making adjustments to this bad boy. Thanks
     
  2. Nov 7, 2001 #2
    embellisher

    embellisher Holy Ghost filled Bass Player Supporting Member

    Apr 18, 2000
    Heber Springs, Arkansas
    If you want the mwaahhh tone that most people like, low action is a must for fretless, as well as very little neck relief.
     
  3. Nov 8, 2001 #3
    progplayer

    progplayer

    Nov 7, 2001
    Ok, obviously GC lied to me so I need to set this bad boy up myself. I've never done it but I want to do it myself because I need to learn. I've been to a few sites and I watched the tech do my other basses BUT i need confirmation here.

    Right now the fretless action is WAY TOO HIGH. The neck has a noticeable "dip". How shall I go about this. I need to "Tighten" the rod correct? Here is my plan of action.

    1- Take off the crappy Warwick strings, put on DR Sunbeams. Tune.

    2- Lower bridge to adjust action. Making sure bass side doesn't buzz on 1st fret too much and treble side doesn't buzz too much on?????

    3- Adjust truss rod. Take that dip out a bit but leaving a little bit of releif. I know u are supposed to put some tension on the neck while doing this???Tune

    4- Adjust pick up height. Bass side higher than treble side?????

    5- Adjust intonation, and tune.....

    any help you guys can give me would be awesome, I want to do this tonight but want to do it right. The only thing that worries me is the Truss Rod, everyone says I'm a pansy. They say just never turn it more than a 1/4 and u'll be fine. well???? :confused:
     
  4. Nov 8, 2001 #4
    progplayer

    progplayer

    Nov 7, 2001
    u know what.... i'll have the tech set it up for me. this guy did my two other basses and they play like butter, really.

    And this fretless I want set up just the way I want. I mean GC told me they set it up for me before I got there (I called in advance), if THEY DID I think they screwed up the whole neck. When I got it home, the 4th string was tuned to Db. the rest followed that sort of. The action is so high i can't even fret the thing.

    Man it better not be messed up or else I'll really make some noise with that store mgr.

    thank u for your posts guys!:D
     
  5. Nov 11, 2001 #5
    eli

    eli Mad showoff 7-stringer and Wish lover Supporting Member

    Dec 12, 1999
    NW suburban Chicago
    I agree with everything written here so far.

    I will add that IME the pickup(s) may need to be a bit higher (closer to the strings) on the high string end in order for the high notes to be heard equally to the low notes IN A BAND CONTEXT. What sounds good solo doesn't always cut it when the drums & guitars storm in.
     
  6. Nov 13, 2001 #6
    progplayer

    progplayer

    Nov 7, 2001
    I've spoken to a few people about this but wanted to get opinions. About when does the fretboard on a fretless begin to show considerable wear, like when is it a time for a polish down? And how much should it cost - I heard its only $30 but sounds a bit cheap to me.

    I actually played an old Fender Jazz fretless and the board was pretty grinded down. The guy told me he has used roundwounds on it for 6 years straight. The board was ebony and it looked terrible, BUT when I played it, it sounded really cool. Hard to explain the tone. i guess really growly and scratchy yet cool. Hmmmmm, anyone?