who here sets up there own basses?

[OneMan]

just curious ...
who sets up there own basses? 2 of my basses i would like to play more get very little use because they need to be set up but i haven't had time to take them to the local luthier. although i could get it done myself but it would take me way too long. if i knew what i was doing, i could do it
quicker and it wouldn't seem to be such a task.

if enough bassist here set up there own basses, maybe i would learn and save myself time and money.

 

[Baird6869]

There are quite a few threads on TB about setting up your own bass.

I personally do everything myself unless the intonation is way out then I take it to a professional. I have no problem changing strings, adjusting bridge saddle height, truss rod adjustments, etc. though.

 

[doc540]

I do in a Binford kind of way.

HAAAARRRRRR!!

 

[I am Domokun]

I do everything myself usually, except for electronics stuff. I'm clueless when it comes to them.

 

[armybass]

Same here, everything except active electronics.

 

[51m0n]

Do it myself.

Nothing beyond set ups and electronics though.

Handy with a soldering iron, know how to get a bass action how I like it.

No fret skimming or wood working type stuff though.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

I've been doing my own setups for about as long as I've been playing bass...there's a wealth of info on the 'net (and particularly here on TB) which can help you get your basses playing the way that you want. Most of the concepts are really pretty simple, and there's not a lot that you can do wrong that you can't quickly make right again. I'd say go for it

 

[vcs700s]

I do the complete set up (neck relief, string height, intonation etc.) and even put an EMG pickup and controls in my P Bass. I don't do fret work- at least not yet.

 

[robd]

I couldnt imagine letting someone else set up my bass. It takes me a while to get it just right. Tweak it, play it, tweak it, play it...

How could someone else know how I want it set up?

 

[fretlessguy]

I usually do set-ups myself such changing the strings, intonation, treating the fretboard, etc.
When it comes to my Fenders I uaually have my local guitar tech do those (not too good at setting relief on basses I must take the neck halfway off to do). Electronics are also not my thing to do.
Doug

 

[vcs700s]

I couldnt imagine letting someone else set up my bass. It takes me a while to get it just right. Tweak it, play it, tweak it, play it...

How could someone else know how I want it set up?

Exactly!

 

[EddieN]

Some guys act like it's 50% Voodoo & 50% Rocket Science but the basics ain't difficult at all. I do everything except I haven't tried to do a fret level (I will) or cut a nut (I probably won't but I did replace a cheapie stock nut in a Squier with a pre-slotted Tusq, pretty easy & big difference to my ear).

 

[iriegnome]

I do all of my own basic set ups. Since I never use any other kind of string, my set up is very simple. The bridge never changes and only once in a very long time does the neck need to be tweeked. Since I started playing Modulus, the neck is never out as well.
However, when I first get a bass, it goes straight to my Luthier for a major set up. He realigns the neck, fixes everything that needs fixing, replaces the nut and does a fret clean and dress. From there, for me, they will never need anything that much for as long as I own them.
I am pretty anal about taking care of my basses.

 

[Henry D]

I can do it all except fretwork...

Good job I play fretless

 

[Phalex]

I do most everything myself. It usually takes a week or two of minor tweaking to get everything just so, but I'm usually happy with the result. I do have a friend who builds guitars, he's the guy I look to for nut filing and fret dressing.

 

[lonote]

I do the mechanical stuff: truss rod and bridge adjustments, fret levelling, intonation, shims (if necessary). I know nothing about electronics, other than connecting solder free stuff like Audere preamps.

 

[98mtd]

When you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. Setting up your own instrument is part of learning about it. With the appropriate tools, you can have your instrument playing at its premium potential.

 

[jasper383]

Please learn to do setups yourself. The first few times, yes, it will take a while. But you'll get the hang of it, and learn a lot about yourself and the bass along the way.

I can get just about any bass about 90% of the way setup-wise in about 10 minutes now. Paying someone $40 to do this seems a bit much.

 

[McDreads]

Nobody comes near my basses with any tool but me, and I'm the only one who knows how I want it set up. Major jobs like refretting and leveling of the fingerboard is done by a VERY trusted luthier. First setup (like everything you do the first time ) was a bit of a nervous event, but you'll learn!

 

[lpdeluxe]

I've been doing my own setups and intonations since the '70s. It ain't hard, but care is rewarded.