Mofo46 Posted December 11, 2012 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Hi, I recently made my way to a fender after years of playing tobias' and ibanez but my fender jazz needs to be set up and the actioned lowered,and the few places I've tried in the past I wouldn't go back to. Can anyone recommend someone who can set up my bass? I'm also looking for a luthier to sort out my double bass but that can wait as I might sell it as is (how I bought it!) Any help greatly appreciated! Cheers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 There is a guy in Holbury called Tony Rockett who should be able to sort that out for you. He is a luthier and has made a few custom guitars. He seems to know what he is doing. The guitarist in my band used Fret Music in Shirley. Paid £50 for a set up, and the intonation was still WAY out. Shocking service!!!! I've since taught him how to set up his guitar and intonate it. He'll save himself cash in the long run. Here's Tony's website: www.tonyrockettguitars.co.uk/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mofo46 Posted December 12, 2012 Author Share Posted December 12, 2012 Cheers geddeeee, That's pretty close to me too, really struggled to fine a luthier so that's a big help. My girlfriend put her acoustic ibanez into Fret and they basically changed the strings, made no adjustments at all! I don't really rate them, started going to absolutemusic for my gear as its massive and they're really helpful. Going down to try out a tc electronics bg250 soon, I only hear good things! Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 No worries, man!! Absolute Music is great. Nevada Music in Portsmouth is superb too. I could spend hours in there looking at all the lovely gear... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted December 12, 2012 Share Posted December 12, 2012 No offence [color="#282828"]Mofo46, but setting up a Fender shouldn't be too hard to do yourself. Have you tried?[/color] [color="#282828"]You will get the info you need at [color="#009933"][url="http://www.fender.com/support/articles/bass-guitar-setup-guide"]www.[b]fender[/b].com/support/articles/[b]bass[/b]-guitar-[b]setup[/b]-[b]guide[/b][/url][/color] and other vids on Youtube.[/color] [color="#282828"]I on'y ever paid once for a set up. - the worst £100 I ever spent. Also I[color="#282828"] found it's really rewarding once I'd had a few goes.[/color][/color] [color="#282828"]Good luck. [/color] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mofo46 Posted December 13, 2012 Author Share Posted December 13, 2012 Hi, No offence taken! I've set up one or two but just want to get my bass sorted for gigging in the new year. The sound and intonation is good its just a high action, I can't play it for very long before my hand wants to fall off! Just wondering what can be done with the bolt on neck? But I think I'll have a look at some research and ask some fender veterans. I agree on Nevada and absolute music, even though I could walk to fret I won't bother! Thanks again for the info/feedback, I'll let u know what absolute suggest. By the way Tony got back to me, £70 for a set up, I don't think I'll bother as I bought the bass mainly due it's price! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted December 13, 2012 Share Posted December 13, 2012 (edited) £70 seems a bit high. As Grangur said, try out the Fender instructions. Neck may have too much of a forward bow, hence the high action. Might need a 'shim' in the neck pocket. Once you have learned to set it up properly, it's easy after that.... Good luck!! Edited December 13, 2012 by geddeeee Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidlovellbass Posted December 14, 2012 Share Posted December 14, 2012 The guitar store near southampton station is good, the one with the fender amp shopfront. £50 seems fairly standard but home setup isn't hard when using the right tools. Sorry to hear that about Adam at Fret, never had a problem with him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shabbs Posted December 15, 2012 Share Posted December 15, 2012 [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1355355253' post='1897455'] No offence [color=#282828]Mofo46, but setting up a Fender shouldn't be too hard to do yourself. Have you tried?[/color] [color=#282828]You will get the info you need at [color=#009933][url="http://www.fender.com/support/articles/bass-guitar-setup-guide"]www.[b]fender[/b].com/support/articles/[b]bass[/b]-guitar-[b]setup[/b]-[b]guide[/b][/url][/color] and other vids on Youtube.[/color] [color=#282828]I on'y ever paid once for a set up. - the worst £100 I ever spent. Also I[color=#282828] found it's really rewarding once I'd had a few goes.[/color][/color] [color=#282828]Good luck. [/color] [/quote] Similar problem, don't mean to hijack,but these instructions tell you to detune the bass when setting the truss, everywhere else says leave in tune? My MIM was also high but have managed to get it down to a reasonable height through you tube and these instructions. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidlovellbass Posted December 16, 2012 Share Posted December 16, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/user/davey4557/videos?view=0 Watch several of this guys videos on bass setup Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mofo46 Posted December 20, 2012 Author Share Posted December 20, 2012 Thanks for all the advice, I've decided to give it a go and if I'm not happy i think I'll try the music shop by the station as have heard some good reviews. Hopefully I'll have time this weekend and will report back how it goes, Thanks again Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mofo46 Posted January 4, 2013 Author Share Posted January 4, 2013 So gave it a go from the fender instructions and apart from not having any shims to measure the truss rod adjustment and a slight intonation problem on one string (mainly due to my tuner going crazy) the action is so much better and much more comfortable to play. I'm going to go through the youtube instructions today and fine tune but glad I have it a go and saved some £££. Cheers for the advice everyone. I'm now ready for a 3 hour gig we have coming up in a couple of weeks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHRISDABASS Posted January 4, 2013 Share Posted January 4, 2013 [quote name='geddeeee' timestamp='1355415647' post='1898177'] £70 seems a bit high. As Grangur said, try out the Fender instructions. Neck may have too much of a forward bow, hence the high action. Might need a 'shim' in the neck pocket. Once you have learned to set it up properly, it's easy after that.... Good luck!! [/quote] £70 for a setup?!! Thats way over priced! I wish i was in your area as we offer full setup for £30 and a full fret level, crown, polish and setup for £60 There are too many overpriced, under qualified guitar repair people out there!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mofo46 Posted January 5, 2013 Author Share Posted January 5, 2013 Whereabouts are you chrisdabass? Is it a shop or do you do setups yourself? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamfist Posted January 14, 2013 Share Posted January 14, 2013 [quote name='CHRISDABASS' timestamp='1357304095' post='1920621'] £70 for a setup?!! Thats way over priced! I wish i was in your area as we offer full setup for £30 and a full fret level, crown, polish and setup for £60 There are too many overpriced, under qualified guitar repair people out there!! [/quote] Everything like that down South is about twice the price unfortunately. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mofo46 Posted January 30, 2013 Author Share Posted January 30, 2013 I gave it a crack myself (well a couple goes) and its greatly improved. I'll post the videos that I found helpful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JamesBass Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 I know you said Southampton way, but if you can make it down to Portsmouth, there's PJs in Southsea which are amazing! The guys in there are great guys and get some really weird vintage stock in sometimes. They set my bass up for me a few months ago and it was spot on, think it cost £25 but I bought the new strings myself as my old ones were knackered! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geddeeee Posted January 30, 2013 Share Posted January 30, 2013 [quote name='Mofo46' timestamp='1357286897' post='1920275'] So gave it a go from the fender instructions and apart from not having any shims to measure the truss rod adjustment and a slight intonation problem on one string (mainly due to my tuner going crazy) the action is so much better and much more comfortable to play. I'm going to go through the youtube instructions today and fine tune but glad I have it a go and saved some £££. Cheers for the advice everyone. I'm now ready for a 3 hour gig we have coming up in a couple of weeks! [/quote] Excellent news.... It's fairly easy to learn to do a basic setup. Plus it saves you money. Some 'shops' charge an arm and a leg and do a pretty half-assed job. Keep rocking!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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