Had a quick scan...looking to find foolproof bass setup guide

[Musicman20]

I have been lucky enough to not have to set up a bass, apart from minor tweaks.

You might find this crazy, but Ive never adjusted a trussrod. I dont think Ive ever needed to.

I have a careful eye and im pretty patient. Id like to start being able to do a good basic setup on my basses eg trussrod, string height, intonation. One of my Fenders has super low action (perhaps to low) and another needs lowering a little.

Are there any good threads or valuable guides on the internet? I want to know the proper way of doing this so I can be sure Im not going to mess up.

Ive watched the Lakland setup videos and they seem pretty detailed.

Can anyone recommend any thread/videos/online guides etc on how to officially and safely set up a bass?

Thanks

[Cat Burrito]

I appreciate you haven't mentioned spending money but

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual-Maintain-Guitar/dp/1844258173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279488851&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual...8851&sr=1-1[/url]

is a really useful & easy book

[renniks]

Burrito is the book you mentioned generally transferable to other basses (with a bit of common sense and know how) or should a more general book be acquired for non fender set ups (sounds like I believe fenders are different to other basses, but thought I'd ask)

[velvetkevorkian]

Here's a guide from [url="http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]Gary Willis[/url].

[Cat Burrito]

[quote name='renniks' post='898450' date='Jul 18 2010, 10:38 PM']Burrito is the book you mentioned generally transferable to other basses (with a bit of common sense and know how) or should a more general book be acquired for non fender set ups (sounds like I believe fenders are different to other basses, but thought I'd ask)[/quote]

Really Fender & Fender type basses only.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='898444' date='Jul 18 2010, 10:35 PM']I appreciate you haven't mentioned spending money but

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual-Maintain-Guitar/dp/1844258173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279488851&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual...8851&sr=1-1[/url]

is a really useful & easy book[/quote]

Thanks! Looks like a good buy.

[Musicman20]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='898471' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:01 PM']Really Fender & Fender type basses only.[/quote]

I'm guessing it's similar to Stingrays apart from tools/truss rid wheel etc?

[Musicman20]

In addition, do I need any more specific tools other than a tape measure, screwdrivers, and the tools that came with the Fenders?

Thanks!

[tony_m]

[quote name='BurritoBass' post='898444' date='Jul 18 2010, 10:35 PM']I appreciate you haven't mentioned spending money but

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual-Maintain-Guitar/dp/1844258173/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1279488851&sr=1-1"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Fender-Bass-Manual...8851&sr=1-1[/url]

is a really useful & easy book[/quote]
+1 on this. As BurritoBass says it does concentrate on Fender basses, but I'm sure the general principles are transferable, except maybe to some really exotic / left-field instrument.

Alternatively, I occasionally refer to the [url="http://www.fender.com/support/bass_guitar_setup_guide.php"]Fender bass setup guide[/url] (obviously this is also Fender-specific), or the [url="http://www.pittmanguitarrepair.com/index.cfm?mode=entry&entry=8d7ec035-d610-a6a8-6849f496817a9522"]Pittman guitar repair[/url] page, which also has pictures.

Edited July 18, 2010 by tony_m

[MIJ-VI]

How to set up a bass.
[url="http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=How+to+set+up+a+bass.&meta=&btnG=Google+Search"]http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sour...G=Google+Search[/url]

[tony_m]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898480' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:11 PM']In addition, do I need any more specific tools other than a tape measure, screwdrivers, and the tools that came with the Fenders?

Thanks![/quote]
Depending on how exact you want to be, maybe a [url="http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/Images/Pickguardian%20Neck%20Radius%20Gauges.pdf"]Pickguardian radius gauge[/url]?

[renniks]

[quote name='MIJ-VI' post='898487' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:15 PM']How to set up a bass.
[url="http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&source=hp&q=How+to+set+up+a+bass.&meta=&btnG=Google+Search"]http://www.google.ca/search?hl=en&sour...G=Google+Search[/url][/quote]
I'm going to go out on a whim here, half of those results will be crap... As someone who loves Google, I'd prefer not to trust every result that comes up from that search with items of great value...

[molan]

How about the [url="http://www.jerzydrozdbasses.com/ultimate-guide-to-perfect-bass-setup.html"]Jerzy Drozd Guide[/url]

You have to sign up for the newsletter but the guide is 60 pages or so of useful stuff & it passes the 'free' test too

[MIJ-VI]

[quote name='renniks' post='898500' date='Jul 18 2010, 06:33 PM']I'm going to go out on a whim here, half of those results will be crap... As someone who loves Google, I'd prefer not to trust every result that comes up from that search with items of great value...[/quote]

Whim is a substitute for investigation?

Suit yourself...

[renniks]

[quote name='MIJ-VI' post='898509' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:46 PM']Whim is a substitute for investigation?

Suit yourself...[/quote]

When asking for guides that are good, without knowing what is and isn't yes?

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898480' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:11 PM']In addition, do I need any more specific tools other than a tape measure, screwdrivers, and the tools that came with the Fenders?

Thanks![/quote]
Ideally, you also want:

- an 18" straight edge ([url="http://www.staples.co.uk/desk-accessories/drawing-and-graphic-equipment/45cm-metal-ruler"]I got mine from Staples[/url])

- a 6" ruler with 64ths of an inch at the end (not in the middle, I got mine from B&Q)

- a set of feeler gauges (available from any reputable tools or automotive supplier)

The [url="http://www.youtube.com/user/LaklandOwners#p/u/9/cIzV9462xeE"]Lakland set up guide[/url] shows how to use them.

Edited July 18, 2010 by EssentialTension

[MIJ-VI]

[quote name='renniks' post='898511' date='Jul 18 2010, 06:48 PM']When asking for guides that are good, without knowing what is and isn't yes?[/quote]

If, for example, three (or more) different electric bass setup guides cite essentially the same approach to say.., adjusting a truss rod, then the chances are good that...

Setting up an electric bass is not difficult. I taught myself how to so decades ago after realizing the futility of paying someone else to set up my bass when I'm the only one who knows how I like an instrument to play, feel, and sound.

Curiosity>prejudice.

[Musicman20]

Some of the YouTube vids are very poor and imprecise.

The Lakland ones are fantastic!

Speaking of tools, will this kit basically do everything?

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_bass_player_tech_kit.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_b...er_tech_kit.htm[/url]

Are the feeler gauges essentially the same as the thickness gauge in this kit?


I only have the odd tool or two so a decent set will help me with other things as well, including string changing, (cutters).

I have a pet hate for the wrong size tools!

Edited July 18, 2010 by Musicman20

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898529' date='Jul 19 2010, 12:27 AM']Some of the YouTube vids are very poor and imprecise.

The Lakland ones are fantastic![/quote]
Agreed, and Carl Pedigo makes it look so simple.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898529' date='Jul 19 2010, 12:27 AM']Speaking of tools, will this kit basically do everything?

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_bass_player_tech_kit.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_b...er_tech_kit.htm[/url][/quote]
The thing missing there is the longer 18"/45cm straight edge/ruler to check the neck relief. However, I think it all looks quite expensive, I think you could pick up those things cheaper although I'm not completely sure.

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898529' date='Jul 19 2010, 12:27 AM']Are the feeler gauges essentially the same as the thickness gauge in this kit?[/quote]
The feeler gauge set looks correct and presumably they'll include a gauge roughly the correct size - which I don't recall just now.

[MIJ-VI]

Tuned strings also function as straight edges, and a *flat-pick can serve as a feeler gauge to achieve an arbitrary and repeatable gap between the fret crowns and the midway point in the length of the E & G strings as each is held down by a capo at the 1st fret and a digit at the fret closest to where the neck meets the body.

*I just eyeball the slight gap required.

IME a good setup is a balance between:

- proper string height at the bridge and the nut (which is often overlooked)

- appropriate neck relief (*ALWAYS loosen the strings before tightening a truss rod, and never adjust it more than 1/4 turn per day so that the neck has a chance to settle) to compensate for the vibrational orbit of the string type & gauge being used (in general, flats don't flap about as much as round-wounds do)

- proper pickup height (level with the pick-guard and high enough for a good capture/strong electrical output, yet low enough to minimize the magnetic damping of string vibrations leading to a loss of timbral life & sustain, and in extreme cases, Stratitis--where harmonics are pulled out of tune)

- and an understanding that an instrument's feel may change slightly from time-to-time (weather, a player's altered perception brought on by mood swings and/or a shift in one's health or sobriety) and thus one would do well to avoid any frivolous truss rod tweaks. Show your wooden music friend and partner some due patience.

My .02

*EDIT: The reason for this is because truss rods are designed to hold a neck to a degree of relief, not to unduly force it into that relief. Tightening a truss rod without first loosening the strings serves to further compress the wood 'neath the truss rod's nut and to add needless strain on the nut's threads.

Edited July 19, 2010 by MIJ-VI

[OldGit]

There's a lits of guides and things on [url="http://basschat.co.uk/index.php?showtopic=248"]this thread[/url]

[harvey1-8]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898529' date='Jul 19 2010, 12:27 AM'][url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_bass_player_tech_kit.htm"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/cruztools_bas_1_b...er_tech_kit.htm[/url][/quote]

Why does that kit have a torch in it? I’ve never needed a torch to setup a bass? Have I been doing it wrong?

[dave_bass5]

[quote name='Musicman20' post='898480' date='Jul 18 2010, 11:11 PM']In addition, do I need any more specific tools other than a tape measure, screwdrivers, and the tools that came with the Fenders?

Thanks![/quote]

The Lakland vidoe changed the way i set all my basses, in a good way.

While ive always known the basics, the idea of using a straight edge (and not a string) has really helped.
I always struggled to determine if the gap was right, even when using a feel gauge. There was always a bit of leeway. Being able to feel the straight edge rocking has really helped me get it right.

[Musicman20]

I might be able to get a kit of tools cheaper than the whole package offered by Cruztools, but then again apparently it has everything in plus the kitchen sink and they are a pro quality, eg not screwdrivers that come with a Christmas Cracker haha.

Edited July 19, 2010 by Musicman20

[velvetkevorkian]

Honestly, for a basic set up I've never felt the need for anything more than a screwdriver and some allan keys, and I like my action very low. Try reading through some of the guides online (like the Willis or Jerzy Drozd ones), apply it to your bass(es). If you're happy, sorted. If not, you can buy additional tools and resources.

It's not voodoo, but the only way to learn is to try it IMO. It's pretty difficult to do any permanent damage unless you're using totally excessive force.