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Time to eat some crow

#41
A local privately-owned store just north of downtown Orlando has pretty much every bass set up properly before it's hung on the wall. A few years ago I was trying out some and mentioned that I wish my bass played as well as all of their basses did. The employee at the counter looked at his watch and asked "Got a few hours? Bring it in and let me teach you how to do it." Two hours later, after going to get it and returning, I left with the most amazingly easy to play bass. AND better than that - I knew how to set it up myself. He even gave me the website of the business who made mine with about a dozen videos on how to set them up. I've not only done mine when it needs it but have helped 'educate' others who have OK basses but hate how they play. I don't know if we can mention names here but the store has a big web site and their initials are B. C.
 
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#42
Blankandson said:
A local privately-owned store just north of downtown Orlando has pretty much every bass set up properly before it's hung on the wall. A few years ago I was trying out some and mentioned that I wish my bass played as well as all of their basses did. The employee at the counter looked at his watch and asked "Got a few hours? Bring it in and let me teach you how to do it." Two hours later, after going to get it and returning, I left with the most amazingly easy to play bass. AND better than that - I knew how to set it up myself. He even gave me the website of the business who made mine with about a dozen videos on how to set them up. I've not only done mine when it needs it but have helped 'educate' others who have OK basses but hate how they play. I don't know if we can mention names here but the store has a big web site and their initials are B. C.
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That kind of service rarely exists anymore....when I first got into cycling, you used to be able to go into mom and pop bikeshops and bribe the mechanics with a case of beer to show you how to do basic repairs/maintenance. Now, you can rarely get past the teenage "sales associates" who know less about the product than you do.
 
#44
The ability to do one's own setup and intonation is a gratifying skill to have. I've done my own since the turn of the century, which would be about 20 instruments that have passed through my hands, or make up the current arsenal. Every now and then, professional help is needed, but even the pro guys are complimentary of my work. I'm gracious in accepting the compliments, and always say that I am at the limits of my skill, when involving them. The pros appreciate that, too.
 
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#45
jpmcbride said:
Have you been in a GC lately? Out of tune slightly from hanging on the wall and being played is fine. But a lot of them are way out as if they've never been tuned. A lot of customers are newer players that can't tune by ear. And they may not want to ask for a tuner, or there may not be anyone available to ask.

And I've seen plenty with setups so bad that they're not really playable. And for me it does affect my ability to determine if I like it or not. Strings a little high ... OK. But I've seen plenty in nearly unplayable conditions.

No GC bashing here. I just wish they understood that a little work to keep the basses and guitars in decent condition on the wall helps customers and would increase sales.
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I couldn't agree more. If the store staff aren't tuning their guitars occasionally what do they do all day? With this lack of service I'm not surprised their customers go On-Line.
 
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#46
I despise going into a brick & mortar store only to find an inventory of Basses which are not set up properly. My experience with GC’s is that they’re among the worst! (W/ the exception of the GC I visited in downtown NY city)
It’s like no one there understands what an Allen key is for and God forbid you bring a set in with you! I’ve actually done that @ a local mom & pop store. I explained that I might be very interested in a particular bass, but only if I could be assured of it’s playability. To do that meant that I needed to set it up. After explaining how I’d have to address the razor sharp fret ends once I got it home, they adjusted the price accordingly.
 
#48
Old_Noob said:
I liked the Sub4 the best.
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Keep doing what you are doing. Get better playing current bass while every so often hitting a store to play around on some other ones. Not even to buy just for fun.

I just play shorties but love trying every new bass I haven't seen or retracing them to see how they feel.

I too liked the sub4 the most (of full scales) that I've tried.

So many basses out there. Got to try them all. <looks sadly at my local store that rarely has a new bass to try>
 
#50
I've always been very glad I learned to do my own setups, and grow the knowledge of what I can do vs. when it's time for a 'professional intervention' with a real tech.

Regarding the OP's title, I've had to learn so many different ways to eat crow I should publish a cookbook.
 
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#51
Old_Noob said:
Well, I am pretty set on throwing money down a hole and doing a parts bass/mod bass with either a Jaguar body or one of the pre-cut/drilled body blanks you can get on ebay.
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Nah, don't go into it thinking it'll be some kind of "money pit". As a long-time tinkerer and assembler of parts-basses, I always suggest looking at such projects as a "learning experience". And even if the results don't meet your expectations, or it ends up costing a bit more than you wanted, your successes, failures and even the occasional stumbling blocks are all teachable moments that can help deepen your understanding of what makes these instruments tick. :bookworm: :thumbsup:
 
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#52
AudioTaper said:
Not just a reply to you, but to everyone about the setup. When I was 17 (late 1990s) I got a job at the local independent store. My job was to take out trash, clean up, and keep the guitars and basses cleaned and maintained. It was awesome.

Edit: I hit post before making my point. It's been said these big box stores dont have things set up and maintained because it would cost too much. I'm sure there's some bbn 17 year old somewhere who would love to make min wage learning how to set up and work on guitars. Not to mention get a nice employee discount when they buy gear.
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I agree. Also, here in Canada Long and McQuade which I believe is the largest music chain offers a free setup with purchase of strings within a year of purchasing a new instrument..
I've also had an issue with a new bass and they replaced it when it couldn't be repaired. No hassle.
 

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