Set up Log Out | Topics | Search
Moderators | Register | Edit Profile

Alembic Club » Owning an Alembic » Troubleshooting » Archive through June 11, 2010 » Set up « Previous Next »

Author Message
evanfantastic
New
Username: evanfantastic

Post Number: 1
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 8:13 am:   Edit Post

i recently got my hands on a spoiler. i took it down to bass northwest, here in seattle, to get it set up. supposedly this bass had been sitting under a bed for a while. there was a lot of buzz in the a string and some notes on the upper board were lacking a lot of sustain. they did a great job setting it up, but it didn't hold and the neck straightened out again, and it started buzzing again. i took it back, they adjusted it again, and after 2 days it straightened out again. i really don't want this to be an unending battle. it's the fastest, smoothest playing bass, i've ever owned and i'd be really bummed to give up on it. any suggestions?
lbpesq
Senior Member
Username: lbpesq

Post Number: 3585
Registered: 7-2004
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 8:21 am:   Edit Post

Evan:

Welcome to the club and congrats on your Spoiler. You're in store for a wonderful ride on the Alembic roller-coaster. As for how to set up your instrument, see Joey's Post on Setting Up Your Bass. Everyone around here swears by it.

Bill, the guitar one
funkyjazzjunky
Advanced Member
Username: funkyjazzjunky

Post Number: 391
Registered: 5-2007
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 9:02 am:   Edit Post

Welcome to the Club
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 5939
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 11:25 am:   Edit Post

How recently did you get the Spoiler, and was it shipped to you or did you pick it up locally? What strings are you using?
evanfantastic
New
Username: evanfantastic

Post Number: 3
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 1:52 pm:   Edit Post

my dad actually drove down from seattle to portland to get it. it's been in my possession for roughly a month. so no, it wasn't shipped in any way. i'm using thomastik-infeld, 45-105, although i'm considering switching to a 47-65-85-107 set up, after a talk with a bass buddy. the strings are brand new. as helpful as that post, on setting up you bass is, honestly the whole double rod neck kind of intimidates me a bit, as far as setting up the bass myself.
kenbass4
Advanced Member
Username: kenbass4

Post Number: 329
Registered: 10-2003
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 2:46 pm:   Edit Post

Evan,

While I don't personally use Thomastik-Infields, I've heard that their strings are very low tension. The truss rods on your bass are there to counteract string tension, so the less string tension, the more likely you'll get the neck "springing back" to the point of string rattle, unless you loosen your truss rods. One suggestion, if you don't want to change the type of string you use, is to loosen both truss rods equally to hand tight, and tune the bass up a half step, and let it stay like that that for a couple of days. After two or three days, come back, tune it to pitch, and see where your action is. Work slowly, and eventually you will be able to get the bass to behave the way YOU want it to.

Good Luck

Ken
evanfantastic
New
Username: evanfantastic

Post Number: 4
Registered: 3-2009
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 3:12 pm:   Edit Post

thanks for the tip ken. patience isn't my most dominate characteristic, but i'll do damned near anything to make this bass sing like i'm well aware she's able to.

i've never been one to really work on my instruments, i'm always afraid i'm going send them to the grave, since i am rather impatient.

this is my first time using the thomastik-infelds actually. for years i've sworn by my dr hi-beams. i'd never try anything but on my fender. but i figured, "new bass, new strings." they have phenomenal tone though.

thanks again.
dadabass2001
Senior Member
Username: dadabass2001

Post Number: 1037
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Tuesday, March 10, 2009 - 3:24 pm:   Edit Post

Your spoiler with DR Hi Beams will come close to a John Entwistle tone. Likewise Rotosound Swing Bass. I had both on my 81 Distillate in 2001 & 2002, although i have since gone to TI Jazz Flats. I still string my fretted Epic with DR Hi Beams.

Mike
terryc
Senior Member
Username: terryc

Post Number: 734
Registered: 11-2004
Posted on Thursday, March 12, 2009 - 8:55 am:   Edit Post

evanfantastic..welcome to our world and congrats on the Spoiler.
Basses and guitars are not quantum science and Joey's set up thread is THE bible for set ups on Alembics.
Patience young jedi and the Alembic force will come to you.
Seriously, you will get mountains of info on here but do take your time with any adjustments when you first attempt them.
Read Joey's instructions then
Read them again then
Read them again then
begin your set up and take your time.
As you become more proficient it will seem that you have nothing to be afraid of..Alembics are very tough and short of driving a truck over it, they can take a lot of punishment..but don't give it please.
best of luck and keep in touch
davehouck
Moderator
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 7725
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Friday, March 13, 2009 - 8:56 pm:   Edit Post

Since it was fine right after Bass NW set it up, my guess is that the bridge is fine and you just need to, gradually, loosen the truss rod nuts. Loosen both nuts the same amount. Start with just an eighth or quarter turn and try that for a day or so. Then if it needs some more, another eighth or quarter. Etc.

It may be the case that the humidity in your environment is higher than the humidity in the bass's last home, and the neck is stretching out some as a result. The neck on my bass is quite sensitive to changes in humidity, and I just adjust accordingly.

The TI set that is 45 - 105 is probably the Infeld Superalloy Hexcore. They are not nearly as light in tension as the TI Jazz Rounds or Jazz Flats.

Topics | Last Day | Last Week | Tree View | Search | Help/Instructions | Program Credits Administration