Author Topic: Bass Setup Class in SF (Read 152 times)

oddmetersam · « **on:** March 07, 2011, 12:15:35 PM »

I've always wanted to do my own setup but didn't think I'd be able to hack it without supervision from someone much more knowledgeable. Took the setup class offered by SF Guitarworks yesterday.

http://www.sfguitarworks.com

Fantastic. They only take three students at a time and the instruction is hands-on and personalized to the max. They even give you a list of tools you'll need in the future and where you can get them.

Now I understand my adjustable nut, dual truss rod-equipped baby much better!

BTW, they'd seen my bass before, but the whole time I was there I was still continually complimented on her looks, features, tone and build quality. Once I acquire all the feeler, radius and other guages (and a capo) I'm going to tackle all my other (non-Alembic) basses.

-Sam

bigredbass · « **Reply #1 on:** March 07, 2011, 11:47:32 PM »

There is nothing better than being walked through this by the right guys who do this for a living. This is money WELL spent, I'd give anything to run across something like this.

J o e y

oddmetersam · « **Reply #2 on:** March 08, 2011, 10:44:55 AM »

I didn't get a chance to play her when I first got back to the studio. Last night when I pulled her out of the case she played smoother than ever and was consistently in tune at both the 12th AND the 19th frets (something the class suggests you check for).

They also mentioned checking all the measurements and writing them down before you start trying to adjust things. That way, if you get totally lost you can bring everything back to the original settings and start over.

But there's something else. Our basses are like thoroughbred horses. We can just play notes on them, or we can become one with them and really get something that goes beyond that. The class has made me feel much more intimately connected than I already did. And I sense the best is yet to come.

-Sam

tbrannon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 08, 2011, 11:06:53 AM »

Awesome stuff!

Some of the best advice I got upon purchasing my first Alembic was to take it apart and clean all the hardware. Pulling apart the bridge, cleaning the tailpiece, etc, helped me to better understand the design of the instrument and made it easier to tackle the setup.

toma_hawk01 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 08, 2011, 11:12:23 AM »

Know thy bass...

From the rooter to the tooter.

Peace and Love,

Hal-

bigredbass · « **Reply #5 on:** March 08, 2011, 11:10:12 PM »

I bought the BigRedBass as a consignment piece at a local store. Really fine shape, but of course the brass bits needed the usual TLC.

So in the process of restringing and cleaning/oiling the ebony and the frets, it was obviously the right time to pull the bridge, field-strip and polish and lubricate. No big deal, I'm a reasonably (!) intelligent person.

Looked great when I finished, put it back on, strung it up . . . and it was on backwards ! !

So, BEFORE you do this, make yourself a little diagram where the saddles were and WHICH way they're facing !

J o e y

mike1762 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 09, 2011, 03:33:08 AM »

I did the same thing Joey... it's not obvious at first, but there IS an UPside and a DOWNside to the bridge.

lbpesq · « **Reply #7 on:** March 09, 2011, 07:05:59 AM »

BEFORE you do this, make yourself a little diagram where the saddles were and WHICH way they're facing !

These days, before I take anything apart, I pull out my phone and snap a few pics. Can't get a better reference when it's time to put it all back together again.

Bill, tgo