Truss Rod vs Bridge/Nut Adjustment

[811952]

If you leave a fretless neck dead Straight you will get more buzz, which is part of the joy.  I have always put a little bit of bow in mine, but not much.
john

[rogertvr]

I agree with what Joey is saying above about setting these instruments up.  I set-up The Dragon's Wing this afternoon, I spent about two hours on it, doing the intonation, action, pick-ups heights blah blah blah...
 
I've owned it since the end of March, I am now down to small, sensitive adjustments and I think today, with the electronics modification installed (see other thread) - it is 100%, possibly more!
 
The beast has been unleashed!  I can't imagine there are too many other manufacturers that give this sort of range of adjustments.  I'll let you know when my Status Graphite basses arrive how they compare!
 
Cheers,
 
Rog

[gare]

Joey
Thanks for these excellent instructions. I did a setup this morning before leaving for work, got all but the intonation done.  
Zipped right thru it. Will get the intonation when I get home tdy. Havent done a setup in a long time, was kind if leary of doin it.
And hey..I'm in tune !
Thx
Gary

[bigredbass]

Gare
 
So glad this worked for you, easier than you thought, eh?
 
J o e y

[bigredbass]

Gare
 
Over time, as you get used to this 'feel' of your instrument, your hands will tell you when it's time to do it again.  Don't underestimate that your hands won't tell you right off the bat next time you pick up a different bass that this bass is NOT set up properly:  The string heights won't be even, the neck relief is off, etc.  The great gift of this is that now you never have to explain or let a stranger try and get it right for you.
 
It's the most amazing example of the capacity of the mind/body interface that you will feel and sense these differences of thousandths of an inch.  Now you understand how the setup guys at ALEMBIC do this by feel, since their hands have done so many, so frequently.
 
J o e y

[gare]

Joey
Yeah, they are pretty simple procedures. For me it was a matter of remembering (a common occurrence), it's been maybe 10 years since I've done it. I've depended on a guitar tech during that time.  
I did notice a slight change when I picked it up last nite. I know some is from the neck settling in,and the temp and humidty are also dropping,so some minor tweaking will be needed,but I'll wait a few days to see if the weather stablizes. Also took measurements across the neck with feeler gauges.
 
'different bass that this bass is NOT set up properly'
I noticed that as soon as I picked up my Spector,which I haven't touched for 2 weeks. That'll will be my next victim !