Fear of messing with my axes!

[white_cloud]

Hello folks,
 
After years of paying luthiers and the like to set-up/repair my basses I have decided to become my own set-up/repair man!
 
I just bought the Dan Erlewine book guitar player repair guide but, man, I still find the idea of messing with truss rods, bridges etc FRIGHTENING!
 
I dont get it.  
 
Im an accomplished amateur furniture maker/designer and have done loads of real nice pieces for a wide range of people - but the thought of messing with my basses scares the hell outa me! Im a practical guy so why am I so unsure of this?
 
I have read all of the great tips here at the club, and have watched in admiration as some of you have stripped your Alembics down to their componant parts - but im too scared to have a go myself!
 
What do you all think of this?

[blazer]

Well with me being a professional guitar repairman for ten years and counting I had a way to get over that fear pretty quickly.
 
Because prior to me getting that Job as a repairman and luthier I assembled guitars from loose parts I'd buy all over the place and working with cheap guitars learning my craft and keeping my eyes and ears open soaking up everything there was to learn. In those days I didn't have internet yet and so I learned from keeping track of everything.
 
But in doing so I ruined a lot of instruments but in the end it was worth it. I paid my dues and enjoy the merits of what I learned.

[white_cloud]

You ruined a lot of instruments?  
 
Oh no, I dont like the sound of that at all! The only basses I want to work on are mine and I dont want to ruin them!
 
Now Im really scared!

[keavin]

You only live once learn your axe while you can,a guitar is like a wife.......dig into it!

[tbrannon]

John,
 
Start by disassembling the bridge for cleaning- once you've taken it apart and realize just how cool the design is, you'll begin to realize that it's much simpler than you think.  I was like you- I didn't want to mess with it, but once I had taken it all apart for cleaning all the mystery was gone.  
 
It's been said here several times- just take some digital photos before you begin taking stuff apart.

[blazer]

Don't worry white cloud, I was kidding about having ruined lots of instruments.
 
And I learned my trade on cheap plywood electrics.

[hieronymous]

I also used to be afraid of adjusting my instruments. I literally went for decades (well, two anyway) without touching the truss rod or bridge saddles. I either lived with a crappy setup or had a technician do it for me. But I remember watching my buddy tweak the truss rod in his bass, and it dawned on me - it's not magic, it's a machine! So I gradually started acquiring the tools I needed, and now I can do basic setup on my own. Especially with the wealth of information available on the internet.
 
It might even be worth picking up a cheapo instrument to experiment on, kind of like what blazer was saying.

[Bradley Young]

Harry,
 
I have to disagree-- don't practice on cheap slabs, because they aren't (generally) designed to be properly set up.
 
Alembics are great basses to learn on, just take it slow.  Small changes to the truss rod are the key to happiness.  And you have to let them settle in for a bit.

[s_wood]

Totally agree with what byoung said about truss rod tweaking.  It's easy, and IMHO as important for you to know as how to tune your bass. Just remember that 1/2 turn of the truss rod nut is a lot, and that it takes a good hour or so for the full effect of your adjustments to show up.

[hieronymous]

Bradley, I can see your point. But remember, in the case of the original poster we're talking about irrational fear, so it might be a good idea to have a beater to just mess around with, just to get over the initial aversion? But in my case, I just went for it with nice basses, though I double- and triple-checked on the internet or in a book which direction to turn, etc.

[white_cloud]

Well,
 
I do have a Dean Jeff Berlin signature arriving in two days wich I picked up for next to nothing...if you guys catch my drift
 
Perhaps I shall cut my teeth on it by trying a basic set-up!
 
John.

[edwin]

Set up isn't that hard. Just go slow. Most adjustments can't hurt anything. Just don't overdo the trussrod in one day. As byoung said, go a little bit at a time. I've taken a bass or guitar in for a setup a couple times just to see what a pro will do and in most cases, I end up going over it myself anyway.
 
Edwin

[tbrannon]

John,
 
I think Alembics are easier to learn on- the bridge is set radiused to the fretboard (which makes adjusting action much easier IMO).  I started with Fenders, G&L and Peavey basses and got just plain frustrated trying to shim necks and individually adjust the height of each string saddle + deal w. the spring loaded intonation.
 
It wasn't until I got an Alembic that I really 'got' it.  Seriously- read and re-read Joey's setup post and it'll get you sorted.  It's a pretty simple deal.
 
Toby

[georgie_boy]

John,
If you get stuck, send me an E_mail and I'll give you my phone number so we can talk
 
george

[georgie_boy]

Forgot to say
Some years back, I built a bass from scratch.
I bought the woods, bridge, pickups, switches position markers, fret wire etc etc.
It was a 3 pickup Rickenbacker shape with through neck and side laminates etc.
I did all the work myself; it took 9 months of working in the garden shed. I even sprayed it and finally played it live. It was good!
I gave it to a young bass player in London who was just starting out, and had no money to buy a half decent instrument.
I even wired it stereo with coil taps etc. He really liked it.
I hope she is still alive
This is how I learned about guitars
 
G