Question Music Man setup question

[recover82]

I have bought two Music Man basses (see sig. below) but I have an inquiry about the setup from the factory.

Example: I ordered both my basses through BassCentral. The Bongo was in stock at the time of order, but specified the finish, fretboard, etc. on the StingRay 5. I don't consider it "custom" by any means, but it was built at the factory as BassCentral ordered per my request.

The question is, when one is ordered "build specific", does more attention go into the setup of the instrument as opposed to say, when there are "x" number of a particular type built and sent to re-sellers around the states?

I realize they are both different models, built for different styles but the StingRay is setup and seems to play so much smoother than the Bongo. Almost to the point of the Bongo giving me hand cramps

Don't get me wrong, I love both of these instruments dearly, but I don't find myself with as much Bongo-Itis as I once had.

Any thoughts?

Thanks.

 

[A.J.]

The same amount of attention goes into every instrument. Everything is built to order with us; in other words, we only build what is ordered. There is no way for our production team to really know whether a store ordered an instrument for stock or whether the instrument was a special order for a customer. We not only strive to ensure quality on every instrument, we pretty much obsess about it.

 

[bovinehost]

...the StingRay is setup and seems to play so much smoother than the Bongo. Almost to the point of the Bongo giving me hand cramps.

I'd check the setup. Things do change over time, and I tweak my basses occasionally. Do you know how to set relief and check string height? It can make all the difference in the world.

Jack

 

[recover82]

The same amount of attention goes into every instrument. Everything is built to order with us;

A.J. - Thanks so much for the prompt and informative response.

I'd check the setup. Things do change over time, and I tweak my basses occasionally. Do you know how to set relief and check string height? It can make all the difference in the world.

Jack - To me, the string height does seems a bit high on the Bongo but when it comes to my bass, I try to follow the rule that musicians shouldn't be trusted with tools... My uncle and brother on the other hand are musicians whom are talented in the ways of both playing and tweaking. That said, i'm going to have them look at it this weekend.

Thanks again.

 

[bovinehost]

Jack - To me, the string height does seems a bit high on the Bongo but when it comes to my bass, I try to follow the rule that musicians shouldn't be trusted with tools... My uncle and brother on the other hand are musicians whom are talented in the ways of both playing and tweaking. That said, i'm going to have them look at it this weekend.

Thanks again.

Don't let them do it without watching and learning. It's not rocket science, and while BP also says never trust musicians with tools, keep in mind that Dudley Gimpel is a damned good guitar player - as are the other engineers at EBMM (the ones that I know, anyway).

Just for grins, turn your truss rod about 1/4 turn clockwise and wait 30 minutes. That really might be all it needs and you won't break it.

 

[five7]

+1

 

[maddog]

Don't let them do it without watching and learning. It's not rocket science...

I vouch for this.

 

[Basspro]

Just for grins, turn your truss rod about 1/4 turn clockwise and wait 30 minutes. That really might be all it needs and you won't break it.


Also remember to loosen up the strings abit before you do that.

 

[bovinehost]

Nah, unless you're going to be doing something more serious than a quarter turn, there's really no need to loosen 'em up. Really.

I mean, maybe on some OTHER brand, sure.

 

[five7]

+1 no need to loosen.

 

[bovinehost]

Note how I very quietly and sneakily disparaged every other brand?

I'm like that.

 

[recover82]

Nah, unless you're going to be doing something more serious than a quarter turn, there's really no need to loosen 'em up. Really.

I mean, maybe on some OTHER brand, sure.

So last night I put a screwdriver tip into the wheel of fortune and rotated clockwise until I couldn't move without resetting the driver.. that is, I only moved it about two holes. Does that make sense? Imagine taking a clock hand from noon to somewhere between one and two. Should that be enough?

 

[cellkirk74]

So last night I put a screwdriver tip into the wheel of fortune and rotated clockwise until I couldn't move without resetting the driver.. that is, I only moved it about two holes. Does that make sense? Imagine taking a clock hand from noon to somewhere between one and two. Should that be enough?

Tune the bass and try if it is better now. If not, turn a little more, tune again, wait a little (I´d go for about 4 hours rather than onle 30 mins) and try again.

Maybe you can also turn down the bridge saddles a bit.

There is one simple rule for the curve a bassneck should have. Grab or use a capo in the first fret of the bass and in the last (=highest) at the same time. In the middle of these points you should at least be able to put your creditcard between stings and fretboard.

For bridge saddles you have to check the intonation forevery fret to get it right.

 

[GGK]

I too was a little terrified when I first adjusted the T-rod, I have only turned it a little less than 1/4. The first time it was very tight and I kind of freaked. I have since re-adjusted it and it was smooth as silk. I have now gone clockwise as well as counterclockwise. I would classify the action as pretty low and the neck of my Sterling is almost perfectly straight. I do wonder if this is in fact the way it should be since there was a little more bow when I first purchased it. All in all it plays wonderful (for me) and I am not really too concerned (unless someone tells me something else ) I keep it pretty clean and always store it in the HS case, overall this is a maintenance free, extremely consistent product with minimal behavioral issues. Just wish I could say the same about myself.

 

[Freddels]

I don't think I've ever needed more than a 1/4 turn either way. Due to the New England weather, I adjust my basses about twice per year. The adjustment wheel on the EBMM basses is the easiest of all.

 

[recover82]

I guess I should follow up on this topic seeing that I started the thread. My initial complaint was of soreness and cramping in my hand while playing my Bongo and after some adjustments, it doesn't seem to be getting any better.

We had two full practices last weekend and I played my StingRay 5 exclusively with zero issues.

I plan on turning the Bongo over to my brother who is more experienced in the ways of instrument set up than I to see if he can make it play any smoother.

It looks like for now I'm back to slaying the low end with my fiver.

 

[bovinehost]

Ah, your left hand is cramping....do you wrap your thumb around the neck?

I do this myself (it's bad technique, I KNOW THAT so SHUT UP) and find that smaller necks sometimes cause my left hand to cramp. But I can kind of feel it coming and take steps to get my thumb where it should be, centered on the back of the neck.

Jack

 

[recover82]

Ah, your left hand is cramping....do you wrap your thumb around the neck?

Yes, and I experience this cramping sensation on both my old Alvarez and Bongo (both 4 strings with smaller necks). For so long I played the StingRay 5 with a larger neck, it just feels second nature.

Maybe I should just be more conscious of how I'm holding the neck when I pick the Bongo up.

 

[bovinehost]

Aha! Look at this, an accurate internet medical diagnosis!

I mean, I think I'm right, it's a technique question rather than an adjustment issue, but I wouldn't trust me as far as I can throw me, and I can't even pick me up, really.