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Post subject: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 2:54 am
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Hi

just bought a standard p-bass (mex) for small son via the internet. He's grade 5 classical and this is his second bass so I guess he is intermediate standard. It sounds ok to my untrained ear but do I need to set it up in some way?

ian


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 5:24 am
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If it is brand new it had what is considered a standard factory setup. This is what at the time Fender considered as fairly close to being correct. Depending on how the instrument has settled in since the setup it possibly could use a tweak here or there but it shouldn't be anything sweeping or major.

One thing you can easily check for is intonation. Using a chromatic electronic tuner first tune the string to pitch open. Next check for variances off pitch up the neck. Any big variation from on pitch at fret 12, the octave, is a sign that it needs adjusting.

Usually the local dealer will do some minor adjustments after an instrument arrives or before the new owner takes it home. When buying from an online dealer, many of these online dealers never even open the box, so what the factory did is what you get.

Factory setups please nearly no experienced player who has their own preferences about string height, neck relief and how it reacts to their personal style. Many players have the idea that a perfectly straight neck is essential to a good setup, but the truth is that a tad of relief (bowing) is actually beneficial. Many players always setup their own instruments and others don't.

Often the height of the saddles is the first thing adjusted depending on the players touch and personal preference. A simple height adjustment can also impact intonation and require a corresponding minor intonation adjustment. Often this is all that is required if it had a decent factory setup in the first place.

A major setup should only be required if you change to a different string set or do some sort of major hardware change like installing a new bridge. A different string set with different gauges and tensions is what most usually requires a completely new setup with sweeping changes.

Until I decide for sure what string set to use on an instrument I don't take it into a tech for a professional setup. I just get by with it the way it is for a while making whatever minor tweaks coax it into being playable for me until I decide what string set to install.

Whenever changing to a completely different string set I take it to a tech I trust and have them set it up for me, then after that I personally will do very minor seasonal tweaks. Sure I could do the initial setup myself, but not as well as the tech who does hundreds per year and has more tools and far more skill at setups than I do. For example, shimming a neck is something I've never ever done myself, but some of my instruments have shims between the body and neck because the tech made one especially for that instrument. This tech charges for every setup. This is why I decide upon a string set I like on a particular instrument and stick to that same exact set on that instrument indefinitely. Once you get a good setup on an instrument that has settled in, it is easy to maintain it with only very minor adjustments ever required and usually only due to seasonal changes.

There are several different schools or methods of bass setup. I list a few good ones on the DO IT YOURSELF SETUP AND MAINTENANCE addendum page of my website. Here is the direct link to that page: http://brotherdave.com/add_maint.htm Of these various methods I suggest paying particular attention to the one by Gary Willis which has photos and is a very good do-it-yourself guide for a first timer.

You can follow any of the setup guides and get a setup, but most techs can do it way better, but of course will charge for their expertise. Make sure to get a fee quote in advance as setup fees vary widely from tech to tech, sometimes even among different techs working in the same shop. Not all techs are created equal, so the better ones are busier and can charge more. Sometimes an instrument (but usually not a new one) will need some fret work too and this costs extra as well. Be sure to understand what the charge is in advance of the work. Some charge a little, some a lot.


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 6:31 am
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thanks dave for the full reply. Guess I should find a guitar tech


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:16 am
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Also welcome to the forum. If it plays ok and the intonation is ok I'd play it as is until changing to a different string set, unless it is obviously out of whack. You should be able to follow the instructions on the Gary Willis site to make some minor adjustments.


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 9:18 am
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Learn to do these adjustments yourself. They are all straightforward. The problem with a tech (besides costing you money) is that they don't know exactly how you play. Despite their level of experience, they are still guessing when they set the action on your bass. Only you know what works best for you.

Furthermore, setting the action can be an iterative process. You set it, try it, set it again, try it again, etc. until you get it dialed in where it is good for you. You don't want to keep going back to a tech (and paying him) each time you go through this step.

To set up a bass, you merely have to follow the logical sequence in the correct order, getting each bit right before moving on to the next. If you find yourself jumping back and forth in the sequence then you are doing it wrong. Follow this sequence:

Relief
Action
Intonation


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Mon Apr 16, 2012 11:47 am
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warnergt wrote:
Learn to do these adjustments yourself. They are all straightforward. The problem with a tech (besides costing you money) is that they don't know exactly how you play. Despite their level of experience, they are still guessing when they set the action on your bass. Only you know what works best for you.

Furthermore, setting the action can be an iterative process. You set it, try it, set it again, try it again, etc. until you get it dialed in where it is good for you. You don't want to keep going back to a tech (and paying him) each time you go through this step.

To set up a bass, you merely have to follow the logical sequence in the correct order, getting each bit right before moving on to the next. If you find yourself jumping back and forth in the sequence then you are doing it wrong. Follow this sequence:

Relief
Action
Intonation


That is true to a certain extent, but the tech I use knows the way to setup for me. He does it better than I can and trust me I've tried. I worked at a Fender dealer in 71/72 and know how to set one up but there are things a really gifted tech can do that I have never been able to do. I've been using the same tech for at least 15 years. Once he gets it set I make minor adjustments now and then and I'm good. Yes it is price, my tech charges me $60 per setup, and it is worth it or I wouldn't keep going back! Not all techs are going to be really great, the problem is finding the right one.


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:50 am
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While all the information brotherdave has available is excellent, the best advice he gave was, find a good tech. For someone who has the knowledge that he has, and a whole lot more experience than most, he will freely admit that he may have some limitations.

By the way, welcome to the Forums and good luck.


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 11:00 am
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I think I will let him play as is for the time being. My son has a friend who's farther is a pro player so I thought I would ask him to take a quick look to make sure it is basically OK, then when he needs some new strings see if we can get it professionally setup, mind it is expensive here in West London.

thanks for all the advice


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Post subject: Re: setting up new standard p-bass
Posted: Tue Apr 17, 2012 7:57 pm
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I have a guy who owns a shop that can set up like Bro Dave is talking. He just has a way with the neck tweek and bridge that's beyond what I can do. I always call him back after I get home and play the bass and tell him "good job" if he does one. That helps.


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