Set up my bass (almost) tonight.

[bassmonkey]

Thanks to tkarter for the setup pdf. I sorted out my 20th Anniversary Ray tonight. Had a buzz on the E-string F and the action was too high. This bass had been really neglected. It really wasn't difficult. Straightened the neck and lowered the action.

2 questions:

1. The intonation is out, do I adjust this with the strings loosened off, or can I do it with the bass in tune?

2. My fretless is a real mess, so I want to sort that out. Is there anything in particular I need to be aware when setting up a fretless? Are the parameters the same, eg string height above the 12th "fret"?

I really can't understand why anyone would pay someone to do this. It was so straightforward. My bass plays so well now.

 

[Psychicpet]

....probably the people that get paid to do it know how to do it....


?

 

[Figjam]

For a fretless i would set it with very very little relief. Just barely above completely straight. Action wise, as low as you can go without the upper notes getting choked sounding works for me.

 

[bassmonkey]

....probably the people that get paid to do it know how to do it....


?

Sorry, I guess my post came across as a little arrogant. I know there are lots of things that a good guitar tech can do that I would not even attempt.

The point i was trying to make was that I was scared to touch my bass. The whole process always seemed like witchcraft to me, and if I tried it my bass would explode in a thousand pieces. Well I tried it and I am really pleased with the results. if you are a guitar tech, then I apologise if I have offended you.

 

[Aussie Mark]

1. The intonation is out, do I adjust this with the strings loosened off, or can I do it with the bass in tune?

With the strings tuned to pitch. In simple terms, intonation is just adjusting the saddle length so that the open string and the 12th fret are the same pitch.

 

[todd4ta]

With the strings tuned to pitch. In simple terms, intonation is just adjusting the saddle length so that the open string and the 12th fret are the same pitch.

With the string at pitch, if it's showing flat at the 12th fret the saddle needs to move towards the headstock. Sometimes you have to 'push' on the screw a little after loosening it to move the saddle. Be sure to retune the string each time you make an adjustment. In addition to checking at the 12 fret, I always check a few notes in between.

I have received at least a couple of used basses where the owner thought they knew what they were doing, but really should have taken it to someone that did (or spent some time educating themselves). The only thing I've found that is sort of major is when someone has really over-tightened a trussrod or left a neck off of a bass with the trussrod too tight. Or, sometimes screws get stripped out, etc.

 

[drgroovenstein]

I tune to find out what adjustment I need to make. When I make the actual adjustment, I detune the bass so the strings are completely loose. This avoids scratching the bidge up with the saddle hieght adjustment screws.

 

[phatduckk]

The point i was trying to make was that I was scared to touch my bass. The whole process always seemed like witchcraft to me, and if I tried it my bass would explode in a thousand pieces. Well I tried it and I am really pleased with the results. if you are a guitar tech, then I apologise if I have offended you.

+1

i thought setting up a bass required some voodoo dolls and other crazy stuff like bat's blood ... but no, i can make it playable myself. the guitar guy I take my stuff to once in a while definately has some magic up his sleeve and he's brilliant, but i can get stuff really close to great.

i honestly think that the truss rod wheel was responsible for squashing my fear. somehow its not as intimidating to use as the headstock thinggy. That's why Dudley is my hero

 

[Fuzzy Dustmite]

I agree with that 100% phatty. On my !b@nez, you have to take off this little plate on the headstock with a tiny philips screwdriver, wedge an allen wrench in there and turn it. Total P.I.T.A.

 

[azzy_wazzy]

I don't even have the faintest idea of how to access my trussrod, so let's hope I don't need to before I get a Sterling!

+1 to what you've all said.

 

[MCBTunes]

I tune to find out what adjustment I need to make. When I make the actual adjustment, I detune the bass so the strings are completely loose. This avoids scratching the bidge up with the saddle hieght adjustment screws.

This is how the intonation should be adjusted