Setup costs

[woodyratm]

Hey guys,

I’m wondering if anyone in the know could advise the cost to setup a bass from standard to lower, with the nut being adjusted to suit the larger strings? Also, adding the strap locks which I believe needs a wee bit of drilling? 
 

Right now, I have no idea how to do it myself and was generally happy to pay. But since 2022 when I was first using a local place, the cost has increased 163%. I understand everything costs more nowadays but I feel this is a bit mad… it’s kinda making consider buying the tools and cheapo bass and learning myself. 
 

obviously, I understand there maybe cost changes depending on area but I’m looking for ballpark really. 
 

thanks in advance. 

[bassbiscuits]

It sounds as tho the job is really making and fitting a new nut, probably tweaking intonation and neck relief. Fitting strap locks is a five min job.

 

As a guide I think I’ve usually paid about £40 for a set up (fret dress, set action and intonation) and the same sort of price for a new nut (the jobs go together as a new nut will require the rest to be set up around it.)

 

But that’s based on one local repairer that I’ve used for years. There’s probably a few luthier websites online with prices listed for that sort of work to give you an idea. 

Edited 7 hours ago by bassbiscuits

[franzbassist]

Are you going to a much heavier gauge? You may not need to make any changes if it's just the next gauge up.  As @bassbiscuits says, you may need to adjust the intonation and relief, but you may not!  

 

Also, I've never had to drill out a strap lock hole to allow for a bigger screw (and I have fitted Dunlop locks to loads of basses); I just put a little bit of wax on the new screw and they always go in easily enough.

 

As to cost, these are the kind of tweaks I've made on my basses for years, so I'm afraid I have no idea. Sorry

 

Edited 7 hours ago by franzbassist

[woodyratm]

Cheers folks, there is a drastic change on the nut tbf - standard to A#. But that was the exact same back in ‘22. Every bass I get gets the same treatment. 
 

String gauge is usually 105 to 135. 
 

EDIT: also - there has never been a new nut fitted, always just filled to suit the larger strings.

Edited 7 hours ago by woodyratm

[franzbassist]

Just now, woodyratm said:

Cheers folks, there is a drastic change on the nut tbf - standard to A#. But that was the exact same back in ‘22. Every bass I get gets the same treatment. 
 

String gauge is usually 105 to 135. 

 

Okay, so yes, a new nut may well be in order.  You could wrap fine gauge sandpaper around each string and then run them up and down the nut slots to file open the existing nut (put a little pen mark right at the bottom of each slot so you don't take it lower!), but I appreciate you may not be comfortable with that!

 

[neepheid]

If you don't mind naming names - which local establishment have you been going to at which you have noted the price rise?

[woodyratm]

7 minutes ago, neepheid said:

If you don't mind naming names - which local establishment have you been going to at which you have noted the price rise?

Posted but maybe shouldn’t name. Will PM.

 

Edited 7 hours ago by woodyratm
Removing name

[neepheid]

3 minutes ago, woodyratm said:

Ramjam. I like them, but feels a bit much. 
 

 

 

I don't have much data to go on when it comes to Ramjam - the only time I engaged their technical services was over 2 years ago for a full rewire of a bass, which cost £50, which I thought was pretty reasonable at the time.  But who knows what it would cost me today, sorry.