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Help with Bass setup please


cyberpunk409

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Posted

hey guys... i've been doing my guitar setups for ages, and am pretty good at them (setting up action, relief, tailpiece height and intonation). However, im new to basses, having just got one a couple hours ago.

 

Can anyone provide a DIRECT LINK to take me to a sight with either diagrams and/or easy to follow steps for directions.

 

I need ballpark figures for string height at 12th fret and the amount of relief suitable for a bass.

 

What i need is the equivalent of something like the info found here http://mysite.verizon.net/jazz.guitar/guitarsetup.htm#Adjusting%20the%20string%20height%20at%20the%20bridge but for basses.

 

I *know* that action and relief is a personal thing, but i want a website with recommendations, not personal settings from members here because i'll end up with a MASSIVE range im sure and it'll leave me even more confused.

 

I've already done a forum search and couldnt find a link to a website for BASS SETUPS. can anyone help? thanks guys!

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Posted

a fellow user on the HCBF named kindness wrote up the best and most complete setup guide ive ever seen. i cannot seem to find it for you using the search. someone else will read this and direct you to the thread.

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Posted

I do all of my own setups, and honestly...I have never measured how high my action is. If it feels right, that where it stays. I will use a radius gauge to get the bridge radius matching the fretboard, but that's about it...

 

If you're pretty good at doing guitar setups, it's really exactly the same thing.

 

You could look here as well...this is the thread dDigitalPimp speaks of:

 

http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1710236

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Posted

I do all of my own setups, and honestly...I have never measured how high my action is. If it feels right, that where it stays. I will use a radius gauge to get the bridge radius matching the fretboard, but that's about it...


If you're pretty good at doing guitar setups, it's really exactly the same thing.


You could look here as well...this is the thread dDigitalPimp speaks of:


http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1710236

 

yeah, i tried that link... it's kinda dead though. the 1st post (assumingly THE ONE explaining setups is deleted). And setting up guitars and basses is basically the same thing, except i dont have any ball park figures for action and relief to start with. If i set action and relief the same on my bass as it is on my guitar it would be unplayable :(

 

where has KINDNESS' thread on setups gone?

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Posted

 

Each bass is different. My neck through has lower string action due to a very straight neck.

 

 

yes, i know. that's why i need a link like the one i provided... http://mysite.verizon.net/jazz.guitar/guitarsetup.htm#Adjusting%20the%20string%20height%20at%20the%20bridge .... it explains how to setup action and relief on all different guitars to suit all types of different playing styles. that's the sort of Bass setup sight im looking for

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Posted

yeah, i tried that link... it's kinda dead though. the 1st post (assumingly THE ONE explaining setups is deleted). And setting up guitars and basses is basically the same thing, except i dont have any ball park figures for action and relief to start with. If i set action and relief the same on my bass as it is on my guitar it would be unplayable
:(

 

I didn't know the thread was dead...you can always PM him...he isn't called kindness for nothing!

 

But what I'm saying is, if you have an idea of what you are doing, a little trial/error isn't going to kill you. I certainly wouldn't be trying to setup my bass with guitar figures, but I don't think any figures are necessary in the first place. Do it by feel...it works every time.

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Posted

nevermind about KINDNESS's thread, just found this pretty recent post from him

 

KINDNESS: "I was contacted by one of my instructors and he asked me to remove the threads. While clearly I was not compelled to do so, nor could have been, out of courtesy I did. In this context it is much more important to maintain professional courtesy than to assert my rights.

Anyone is welcome to ask me any question anytime and I will respond as well as I always have."

 

so that rules that out (2 of you have already pointed me in that direction - must've been good).

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Posted

Try sighting down your neck and look at the bow. I try to get mine straight and start by lowering the saddles. Sometimes I file the nut to get the lowest action. I intone next and lower the strings again if nessesary. Piece o' cake. If you need to adjust the rod loosen the strings and turn it 1/4 turn at a time.

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Posted

i don't mean to sound ungrateful, but im really after WEBSITE LINKS.

 

i can do trial and error processes myself. and i can 'guess' a good starting point. and i can see the bow and see exactly how much relief i have... however, i dont know if it's too much or not enough for a bass.

 

If someone asked me the same thing for a guitar, i'd say:

 

- i use string gauge 11-49

- action at 12th fret on treble side = 3/64

- action at 12th fret on bass side = 4/64

- relief = 0.010 (ideal for rock & roll)

 

this is the sort of info im after... thanks all the same :)

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Posted

Sorry I can't help you like that. I would if I could. I'm not sure of any WEBSITE LINKS that have that sort of information. One source of good information would be books by Dan Erlewine. I've got a few of his books, and they all list information like this...head to the bookstore and grab one.

 

:wave:

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Posted

Something EXACTLY like that Fran Da Man :) :)

 

except... hehe... i already found that site. i want at least one more to make sure there aren't any major conflicting suggestions... something to compare it with if you will (for my own personal reasons).

 

now if you could post ANOTHER site just like that i'll be in your debt :thu:

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Posted

cyberpunk, while that site is good, i don't quite buy this part:

Style of playing Type of action desired Relief in inches

Rock & Roll Medium - Low 0.010

Jazz Medium - Low 0.013

Acoustic-Electric Medium - Low 0.013

Classical-Electric Medium - Low 0.023

Electric Bass Medium - Low 0.020

 

My genre of music i play does not dictate my setup.

My personal preference and fingering technique sets my basses up.

When i set up other peoples stuff i like to watch them play to evaluate their attack, heavy hitter, hard plucker, light touch, soft strummer etc...

I don't really care what type of music they play; i want what they want...a guitar setup that fits them.

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Posted

yeah, but those numbers are just guides... it ASSUMES that people who play rock and roll will have a different style of playing than those who play jazz (not to mention different types of guitars)... it's just an assumption made to provide a ballpark figure.

 

and that's precisely what i'm after at the moment... doesnt mean i *WILL* set my bass up like that, i just thoroughly enjoy reading and researching. it's for my own personal benefit and satisfaction, more so than deciding how my bass will end up.

 

i like websites with this sort of info... the fender one is an EXCELLENT example of what im after. ideally, i would like 2 more before i get started.

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Posted

thanks to all those who replied and tried to help... sorry if i seemed grumpy with some of your replies. i was after more than "just set it up to what feels good to you" type responses is all.

 

bass is now setup and like new. gonna start a new thread titled "BASS SETUP HINTS" with links to about 4 websites i found that were helpful, including a link to KINDNESS's setup hints (in pdf format).

 

i'll also be posting pics of before and after shots.

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