Author Topic: Set-up? (Read 539 times)

fungke · « **on:** July 29, 2004, 05:32:47 AM »

Hi guys,

I really just wanted some advice about set-up. The action on my Elan is set a little to high for me. Should I go to a good guitar tech (London Bass Centre) or is this easy enough to have a crack at?

I noticed on another thread that there was a guy who'd posted a step by step guide on setting up your Alembic. However I've been unable to find it.

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.

Best Regards, Andy.

bracheen · « **Reply #1 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:47:03 AM »

Andy, I think that was posted by Joey. Try doing a search by user name Bigredbass. Personally I use a tech for mine. He charges about $10 if there's no neck adjustments needed.

Sam

David Houck · « **Reply #2 on:** July 29, 2004, 05:57:28 AM »

My opinion is that you should learn to do it yourself. It might take some practice, but you may find it rewarding. It seems to me that once you get the hang of it, you can adjust to where you feel it is right better than someone else can. Plus, I quite often will, in the middle of practice, give the bridge a little quarter or eighth of a turn; and from time to time, tweek a truss rod or two just for a different feel.

Here are a couple of threads on set up:

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/4623.html

http://club.alembic.com/Images/393/7798.html

keavin · « **Reply #3 on:** July 29, 2004, 06:04:14 AM »

Try lowering your bridge,& or the brass nut (if it's adjustable)it's not that difficult to perform,but make sure your strings are loose during this process.

dannobasso · « **Reply #4 on:** July 29, 2004, 02:39:52 PM »

Do it yourself! To keep your bass in top form you need to maintain it from time to time. I would start with backing the truss rod nut to finger tighten, lower the bridge, make sure the nut is seated flush and then go from there. I currently have 13 basses and I do all my own adjustments. It saves time and money. Have a set of tools in your case or bag so you are never in a situation where you can't tweek it when it needs it. It comes in real handy in recording sessions.
Danno

fungke · « **Reply #5 on:** July 30, 2004, 03:59:11 AM »

Hi guys,

Thanks for the advice. I'll give it a try. I know where to come if I have and more questions

Best Regards, Andy.

kmh364 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 30, 2004, 06:02:11 AM »

My $0.02. Get it set-up properly (and to your likikng) by a pro, and then take measurements so you can do it yourself. My guitar guy writes down the measurements after a set-up so they can be touched-up in between services (and so he doesn't have to re-invent the wheel on each successive service).

kmh364 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 30, 2004, 06:03:16 AM »

Sorry, duplicate post.

(Message edited by kmh364 on July 30, 2004)

fungke · « **Reply #8 on:** July 31, 2004, 03:56:02 AM »

Wise words. I did try but I can't really get the set-up I want. I'll take it to a pro, get them to write it all down, so next time I'll have a better chance.

The main problem was that I changed string gauge from the 45-65-85-105 down to 40-60-80-100. I raised the bridge and nut slightly to try and compensate but now the action is too high, specially for slap. When I try to lower it, I get fret buzz all the way from the 1st to the 5th.

I took the opportunity to give her a bit of clean and polish. I'll give it one more try today and if I can't 'get-it' i'll hand her over to a pro.

Regards, Andy.

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** July 31, 2004, 08:51:49 AM »

That suggests you should do one of two things. First, since the strings are lighter, they are probably also looser to get in tune. That means less string pressure on the neck, and you might need to add some back-bow with a truss rod adjustment to compensate.

Second, if the action is too low at the fifth fret but good at the twelfth, I would raise the nut a bit and leave the bridge alone, or lower it once you get the fifth fret problem cleared up.

I would check the truss rods first, though.

dannobasso · « **Reply #10 on:** July 31, 2004, 10:12:26 AM »

Take a little time to work with it and see how your bass reacts. The beauty is that Alembics have so many adjustment options. Stick with it and you'll become very comfortable with maintaining your instrument. The nut can really do the trick in some situations. Plus the added bonus of instant gratification when you tweek it and not having to go to the shop and being without your bass.
Danno

bob · « **Reply #11 on:** July 31, 2004, 10:52:19 AM »

The phrase 'add some back-bow' might be confusing. If the new strings supply less overall tension (maybe, maybe not) then the neck will become straighter, so you need to loosen the truss rod nuts slightly, allowing it to bend more.

That would be consistent with buzz mostly in the first five frets.

The nut isn't going to help much with this, so I'd put it back about where it was, try loosening the truss rods an 1/8 or 1/4 turn - without changing anything else - and see if that helps. Then you can try lowering the bridge, maybe fine tune the truss rods a bit and repeat. Take it one step at a time.

Getting the neck bow right is the most important step, and it would have been better to start with that, rather than raising both the bridge and nut.

The nut is the least important, and until you become comfortable with adjusting truss rods and bridge height, it's best to just think of using it to make sure the open strings don't buzz against the first few frets. That should get you close enough to work through the other stuff. (I agree it's a great feature, Danno, but not the best place to start.)

bigredbass · « **Reply #12 on:** July 31, 2004, 09:42:54 PM »

Andy:

The heart of what you said was 'should I go to a good G U I T A R tech . . .

First, I know great guitar techs that are at a disadvantage when it comes to basses

Second, I can easily imagine that in London there are surely qualified people to handle your ALEMBIC.

The links back to the previous posts will tell you all you need to know. If the once-over-lightly works for you every couple of years, great. Get it dialed in for your usual strings and have at it.

But believe me, ALEMBICS are the easiest instruments upon which to learn adjustment. The adjustable nut, the bridge, the dual truss rods, coupled with the quality of wood and assembly, make it a breeze to learn yourself. If you have very precise hands and touch, teaching yourself means that every time you try a new brand of strings or different guages, you can dial it right back where you want it. If you can feel these tiny differences, doing it yourself will save you a fortune in trips to the tech. Plus these basses are solid enough NOT to require a lot of touch ups once you get it where you want it.

If you dive in, believe me, your first couple of trys you'll make it into a real plank. Then it will begin to come to you as you slowly find your way back, the movements and the interaction of relief, string height, nut height, etc. will crystallise in your head, and, voila!, you've got it. This is the normal progression as you learn this.

I have never enjoyed playing more since I learned to perfect 'my' setup myself. Most people who try it have NEVER felt action on a bass this nice. And I'm no longer at the mercy of strangers who I just can't seem to explain just where I want it.

Enjoy, but don't say we didn't warn you . . . you will pull your hair out for a while at first!

J o e y

jazzyvee · « **Reply #13 on:** August 02, 2004, 01:46:57 AM »

I have thought about adjusting my alembic to get the action a bit lower especially on the E-string side of my SC.
I have adjusted the bridge and lowered that which has helped.

As for adjusting the neck my question is, if i make adjustments to the neck are they immediate or do they happen slowly, how much do i need to de-tune the strings to do these adjustments.

keavin · « **Reply #14 on:** August 02, 2004, 05:21:01 AM »

d-tune your strings alittle-bit & when you get to the desired height(adjustment)tune them back-up and see if thats mark .