| Author | Message | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 257 Registered: 11-2007 |
Hello folks, After years of paying luthiers and the like to set-up/repair my basses I have decided to become my own set-up/repair man! I just bought the Dan Erlewine book "guitar player repair guide" but, man, I still find the idea of messing with truss rods, bridges etc FRIGHTENING! I dont get it. Im an accomplished amateur furniture maker/designer and have done loads of real nice pieces for a wide range of people - but the thought of messing with my basses scares the hell outa me! Im a practical guy so why am I so unsure of this? I have read all of the great tips here at the club, and have watched in admiration as some of you have stripped your Alembics down to their componant parts - but im too scared to have a go myself! What do you all think of this? | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 179 Registered: 12-2003 |
Well with me being a professional guitar repairman for ten years and counting I had a way to get over that fear pretty quickly. Because prior to me getting that Job as a repairman and luthier I assembled guitars from loose parts I'd buy all over the place and working with cheap guitars learning my craft and keeping my eyes and ears open soaking up everything there was to learn. In those days I didn't have internet yet and so I learned from keeping track of everything. But in doing so I ruined a lot of instruments but in the end it was worth it. I paid my dues and enjoy the merits of what I learned. | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 259 Registered: 11-2007 |
You ruined a lot of instruments? Oh no, I dont like the sound of that at all! The only basses I want to work on are mine and I dont want to ruin them! Now Im really scared! | ||
| keavin
Senior Member Username: keavin Post Number: 1366 Registered: 12-2002 |
You only live once learn your axe while you can,a guitar is like a wife.......dig into it! | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 637 Registered: 11-2004 |
John, Start by disassembling the bridge for cleaning- once you've taken it apart and realize just how cool the design is, you'll begin to realize that it's much simpler than you think. I was like you- I didn't want to mess with it, but once I had taken it all apart for cleaning all the mystery was gone. It's been said here several times- just take some digital photos before you begin taking stuff apart. | ||
| blazer
Intermediate Member Username: blazer Post Number: 180 Registered: 12-2003 |
Don't worry white cloud, I was kidding about having ruined lots of instruments. And I learned my trade on cheap plywood electrics. | ||
| hieronymous
Advanced Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 249 Registered: 1-2005 |
I also used to be afraid of adjusting my instruments. I literally went for decades (well, two anyway) without touching the truss rod or bridge saddles. I either lived with a crappy setup or had a technician do it for me. But I remember watching my buddy tweak the truss rod in his bass, and it dawned on me - it's not magic, it's a machine! So I gradually started acquiring the tools I needed, and now I can do basic setup on my own. Especially with the wealth of information available on the internet. It might even be worth picking up a cheapo instrument to experiment on, kind of like what blazer was saying. | ||
| byoung
Senior Member Username: byoung Post Number: 941 Registered: 12-2004 |
Harry, I have to disagree-- don't practice on cheap slabs, because they aren't (generally) designed to be properly set up. Alembics are great basses to learn on, just take it slow. Small changes to the truss rod are the key to happiness. And you have to let them "settle in" for a bit. | ||
| s_wood
Advanced Member Username: s_wood Post Number: 265 Registered: 5-2002 |
Totally agree with what byoung said about truss rod tweaking. It's easy, and IMHO as important for you to know as how to tune your bass. Just remember that 1/2 turn of the truss rod nut is a lot, and that it takes a good hour or so for the full effect of your adjustments to show up. | ||
| hieronymous
Advanced Member Username: hieronymous Post Number: 250 Registered: 1-2005 |
Bradley, I can see your point. But remember, in the case of the original poster we're talking about irrational fear, so it might be a good idea to have a beater to just mess around with, just to get over the initial aversion? But in my case, I just went for it with nice basses, though I double- and triple-checked on the internet or in a book which direction to turn, etc. | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 262 Registered: 11-2007 |
Well, I do have a Dean Jeff Berlin signature arriving in two days wich I picked up for next to nothing...if you guys catch my drift  Perhaps I shall cut my teeth on it by trying a basic set-up! John. | ||
| edwin
Advanced Member Username: edwin Post Number: 284 Registered: 5-2002 |
Set up isn't that hard. Just go slow. Most adjustments can't hurt anything. Just don't overdo the trussrod in one day. As byoung said, go a little bit at a time. I've taken a bass or guitar in for a setup a couple times just to see what a "pro" will do and in most cases, I end up going over it myself anyway. Edwin | ||
| tbrannon
Senior Member Username: tbrannon Post Number: 638 Registered: 11-2004 |
John, I think Alembics are easier to learn on- the bridge is set radiused to the fretboard (which makes adjusting action much easier IMO). I started with Fenders, G&L and Peavey basses and got just plain frustrated trying to shim necks and individually adjust the height of each string saddle + deal w. the spring loaded intonation. It wasn't until I got an Alembic that I really 'got' it. Seriously- read and re-read Joey's setup post and it'll get you sorted. It's a pretty simple deal. Toby | ||
| georgie_boy
Advanced Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 354 Registered: 8-2005 |
John, If you get stuck, send me an E_mail and I'll give you my phone number so we can talk george | ||
| georgie_boy
Advanced Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 355 Registered: 8-2005 |
Forgot to say Some years back, I built a bass from scratch. I bought the woods, bridge, pickups, switches position markers, fret wire etc etc. It was a 3 pickup Rickenbacker shape with through neck and side laminates etc. I did all the work myself; it took 9 months of working in the garden shed. I even sprayed it and finally played it live. It was good! I gave it to a young bass player in London who was just starting out, and had no money to buy a half decent instrument. I even wired it stereo with coil taps etc. He really liked it. I hope she is still alive This is how I learned about guitars G | ||
| georgie_boy
Advanced Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 356 Registered: 8-2005 |
If you get some spare time, try it yourself I spent years before the build reading up on so many aspects before I finally dared to try it It wasn't PERFECT, but I liked it! I do not however muck about with The BIG GUY! G | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 264 Registered: 11-2007 |
Hey George, You simply gave the bass you made yourself away? You are a generous soul! Im digging into my new book "guitar players repair guide" and its all starting to make sense to me! Im definately going to setup my Dean JB on arrival and take it from there! John. | ||
| georgie_boy
Advanced Member Username: georgie_boy Post Number: 368 Registered: 8-2005 |
Take your time!! That's the answer | ||
| spose
Intermediate Member Username: spose Post Number: 180 Registered: 5-2002 |
GO DIY'ers!!! as well...check out Dan Erlewine's newer book "How to make your electric guitar play great" and his DVD series that goes along with the book. super cool extras on the DVD's such as Jack and Jorma playing and talking about their setup specs etc. | ||
| benson_murrensun
Junior Username: benson_murrensun Post Number: 16 Registered: 5-2007 |
Speaking of Jack and Jorma... and set-ups: You may know that Jorma and his wife, Vanessa, have a guitar camp in Ohio (Fur Peace Ranch). It's a wonderful place for players to commune and learn and teach. As a bass player, I have taken a bunch of sessions with Jack as the teacher. Part of one session involved setting up a bass, Casady-style. He sets up his Epiphone Jack Casady models with the neck absolutely FLAT. He also plays with some high action, at least compared to what I am used to. His tone is from God! | ||
| elwoodblue
Intermediate Member Username: elwoodblue Post Number: 199 Registered: 6-2002 |
that sounds FUN!! I'll try and post pics of an alembic I've 'dug into'. I bought it in a barely playable state and now it's a favorite. Music became much more exciting once I realized I could have perfectly intonated notes everywhere on the neck without having to drive to a guitar shop (...and I have yet to be happy with anyone elses set-up). I grew up doing my best with 'not quite' intonated instruments thinking it was my fingering , the ears and creativity fatigue quickly when nothing is quite in tune. The first thing I will teach someone who wants to learn bass/guitar is the difference between a good and bad set-up...so they know that if something seems 'out of whack' it isn't necessarily the fingers being clumsy.... best wishes whitecloud... | ||
| white_cloud
Advanced Member Username: white_cloud Post Number: 310 Registered: 11-2007 |
Thanks for your feedback! The Dean Jeff Berlin bass that I bought was in poor shape when I bought it but with a bit of help from the super Dan Erlewaine book "guitar player repair guide" I have it beautifully setup now! How gratifying it has been for me to de-mystify the whole process of "messing with my axe!" John. | ||
| rockbassist
Intermediate Member Username: rockbassist Post Number: 124 Registered: 8-2005 |
I have taken the bridge apart and cleaned it and removed the other hardware as well. It's not very difficult as long as you take your time. |
