Setting up a bass

[Jobiebass]

Morning.

Would have thought there was a sticky for this but unfortunatly not.

I was given a website which I cant for the life of me remember which I printed out last night and took back to my flat to tell me how to set it up, but it was quite limited.

Im having problems with set up, I could take it to a shop and get them to do it but id MUCH prefer to learn how to do it myself so I know for future.

Problem lays here...

the action on the A string was massive so dropped that, set them all up to what id expect to be the correct level by holding the strings down with my right arm, holding the first fret in turn and checking there was about a creditcard size gap between the middle fret and the string.

Once I did this I checked where it vibrated on the frets..

G - Very little all over the fretboard, which im lead to believe means I just need to raise the saddle height.
D - after fret 12, which im lead to believe means I need to tighten the trust rod
A - after fret 3
E - all over badly - Raise the saddle height (still some buzz 12+)
B - All over badly - Raise the saddle height (still some buzz 12+)

Looking down the neck I can see the truss rod is quite loose,
I want the action as Low as possible. I could raise all the saddles and stop [i]most[/i] of the fretbuzz but its far too high for my liking.

There has to be a resource out there available to trouble shoot these types of things.
But im hoping someone can come back with a full guide how to set up a bass. I have my fretless to do on the weekend too.

[bass_ferret]

There are a lot of online guides. Finnbass has assembled a collection [url="http://www.finnbass.com/showthread.php?t=2340"]here[/url]

[Jobiebass]

[quote name='bass_ferret' post='207118' date='May 27 2008, 11:21 AM']There are a lot of online guides. Finnbass has assembled a collection [url="http://www.finnbass.com/showthread.php?t=2340"]here[/url][/quote]

I need to be signed up to read that unfortunatly

[bass_ferret]

Well sign up then. I did copy it to the basschat wiki but as finn wrote it I thought it best to delete it.

[Jobiebass]

I dont have access to extenal emails at work, and I work away from home
Suppose I could have a look on the weekend.

Thanks

[Jobiebass]

sweet, managed to get into the site, I signed up but managed to get around not activating my account w00p

[chris_b]

[quote name='Jobiebass' post='207117' date='May 27 2008, 11:18 AM']....I want the action as Low as possible....[/quote]
For very low action you will probably need the frets stoned to get them exactly level.

[bass_ferret]

No point re-inventing the wheel

[The Burpster]

J,

get this book ....

[url="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-Electrics/dp/0879302917/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1211912782&sr=8-3"]http://www.amazon.co.uk/Guitar-Player-Repa...2782&sr=8-3[/url]

I guarantee it'll be the best £11 you ever spend, if you continue working on them yourself!

[BOD2]

This website is always highly recommended

[url="http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]GaryWillis.com[/url]

[Kev]

[quote name='BOD2' post='207854' date='May 28 2008, 10:17 AM']This website is always highly recommended

[url="http://www.garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html"]GaryWillis.com[/url][/quote]
+1

[EBS_freak]

If the truss rod is set correctly, to get the bass action as low as possible, you are looking at at least a fret stoning. I like 40s on low action basses - if you are using anything heavier, you may want to lighten up for that sports car feel. Is the bass in question a bolt on? You may want to look into shims so you can alter the angle at which the neck is set...

[budget bassist]

I just made the truss rod on my MM as tight as i could (without pushing it too far) and then raised the bridge saddles until the buzzing stopped, seemed to work for me and it plays pretty nice for me.