Cost of Bass Setup
Question:
> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling > adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was > wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to > make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and > stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their > own setup?
I took a bass over to Musician’s Friend in Medford, and had Steve go over it, including leveling the frets. Nice guy, when he has time to chat. He answered a few questions I was unsure of (while I was paying him), and from then on, I’ve done it myself. Well… I won’t level my own frets, but the set-up, sure. You DO want to learn basic set-up for yourself, unless you are challenged by simple hand tools (some folks are…). If you want, play with it in small incriments, then take it in for a good set up. That way you can gain some understanding. Read up a bit, and remember to do the adjustments in order, or all is for not. When you do go for the pro set-up, be able to explain what you like, describe your heavy or light touch, and don’t just take the bass home, until you try it out. See how you like it, and don’t be too afraid to ask for something a little different if NEEDED. Arm thyself here: http://www.altguitarbass.com/faq.asp#Setup http://members.rogers.com/dbl-bass/setups.htm http://archive.bassplayer.com/gear/specs.shtml http://www.mrgearhead.net/faq/basssetup.html http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/6203/page33.html http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/setups.txt http://sadowsky.com/media/pdf/technical/bp0999_bass_setup.pdf http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/ElectricGuitarRepair.htm — -rob O A O> ( -)-* ....
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling > adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was > wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to > make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and > stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their > own setup? > I took a bass over to Musician’s Friend in Medford, and had Steve go > over it, including leveling the frets. Nice guy, when he has time to > chat. He answered a few questions I was unsure of (while I was paying > him), and from then on, I’ve done it myself. Well… I won’t level my > own frets, but the set-up, sure. > You DO want to learn basic set-up for yourself, unless you are > challenged by simple hand tools (some folks are…). If you want, play > with it in small incriments, then take it in for a good set up. That > way you can gain some understanding. Read up a bit, and remember to do > the adjustments in order, or all is for not. When you do go for the pro > set-up, be able to explain what you like, describe your heavy or light > touch, and don’t just take the bass home, until you try it out. See how > you like it, and don’t be too afraid to ask for something a little > different if NEEDED. > Arm thyself here: > http://www.altguitarbass.com/faq.asp#Setup > http://members.rogers.com/dbl-bass/setups.htm > http://archive.bassplayer.com/gear/specs.shtml > http://www.mrgearhead.net/faq/basssetup.html > http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html > http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/6203/page33.html > http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/setups.txt > http://sadowsky.com/media/pdf/technical/bp0999_bass_setup.pdf > http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/ElectricGuitarRepair.htm
I agree with the general group sentiment(s): If you have any mechanical skill and patience, learn it yourself. It will empower you to be able to get your bass in shape if you have to do it yourself the evening of a gig with no techs available. I have posted about this before: while I have minimal mechanical skills and patience, I did learn the basics of set-up about 12 years ago. I pay someone else (a friend who is a luthier) though, because I don’t have the patience or sometimes don’t want to spend the time, but now have some money to put towards it several times a year (Northeast Ohio weather!).
Response:
I paid $60 for a pro setup and some minor fret work about three years ago and since then I’ve been doing stuff myself. Go slow, be careful and it’s not too tough if your bass is in good shape to begin with. If its not, pay a pro…
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling > adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was > wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to > make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and > stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their > own setup?
Response:
Working on guitars can really be a bitch but its nice to be able to do it yourself.Some people arent mechanically inclined and to them I say take it to a pro.For them that like working on things go for it and learn how to fix your own axe.You should remember that with a guitar things need to be as perfect as you can get it so plan on going back over your adjustments several times.Give yourself enough time to finish what you start.
How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their own setup?
Response:
>How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling >adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was >wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to >make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and >stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their >own setup?
I’ve done my own set-ups since ‘day one’. Lots of places on the ‘net to find instructions, and you can get EXACTLY like you want, the first time, without a hassle of trying to explain to someone else what you want and how you play, etc. I think it’s the ONLY way to go.
Response:
Are you near Seattle? Mike Lull in Bellevue does mine for $60. Doesn’t get any better than Mike’s shop. It has been almost a year since I’ve been in, so you might check his site first for pricing… http://www.mikelull.com Definitely worth it. Randy Parsons at the Seattle (Westlake) GC also does a good job. Take it to one of them and learn a bit. When you do it yourself later on you’ll know what your are shooting for. Jim
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling > adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was > wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to > make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and > stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their > own setup?
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling >>> adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was >>> wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to >>> make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and >>> stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their >>> own setup? >> I took a bass over to Musician’s Friend in Medford, and had Steve go >> over it, including leveling the frets. Nice guy, when he has time to >> chat. He answered a few questions I was unsure of (while I was >> paying him), and from then on, I’ve done it myself. Well… I won’t >> level my own frets, but the set-up, sure. >> You DO want to learn basic set-up for yourself, unless you are >> challenged by simple hand tools (some folks are…). If you want, >> play with it in small incriments, then take it in for a good set up. >> That way you can gain some understanding. Read up a bit, and >> remember to do the adjustments in order, or all is for not. When you >> do go for the pro set-up, be able to explain what you like, describe >> your heavy or light touch, and don’t just take the bass home, until >> you try it out. See how you like it, and don’t be too afraid to ask >> for something a little different if NEEDED. >> Arm thyself here: >> http://www.altguitarbass.com/faq.asp#Setup >> http://members.rogers.com/dbl-bass/setups.htm >> http://archive.bassplayer.com/gear/specs.shtml >> http://www.mrgearhead.net/faq/basssetup.html >> http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html >> http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/6203/page33.html >> http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/setups.txt >> http://sadowsky.com/media/pdf/technical/bp0999_bass_setup.pdf >> http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/ElectricGuitarRepair.htm > I agree with the general group sentiment(s): > If you have any mechanical skill and patience, learn it yourself. It > will empower you to be able to get your bass in shape if you have to > do it yourself the evening of a gig with no techs available. > I have posted about this before: while I have minimal mechanical > skills and patience, I did learn the basics of set-up about 12 years > ago. I pay someone else (a friend who is a luthier) though, because I > don’t have the patience or sometimes don’t want to spend the time, but > now have some money to put towards it several times a year (Northeast > Ohio weather!). > Another vote here for do it yourself, but first let a pro do it so you > will know how the bass should feel after being properly setup. > Chris
And, if you mess it up beyond your skill to repair it, don’t be scared if the luthier charges you more, that’s usual if you messed with it… Somebody posted a price chart a while ago that mentioned this, I thought it was more than fair… Chris
Response:
- Hide quoted text — Show quoted text ->>How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling >>adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was >>wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to >>make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and >>stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their >>own setup? >I took a bass over to Musician’s Friend in Medford, and had Steve go >over it, including leveling the frets. Nice guy, when he has time to >chat. He answered a few questions I was unsure of (while I was paying >him), and from then on, I’ve done it myself. Well… I won’t level my >own frets, but the set-up, sure. >You DO want to learn basic set-up for yourself, unless you are >challenged by simple hand tools (some folks are…). If you want, play >with it in small incriments, then take it in for a good set up. That >way you can gain some understanding. Read up a bit, and remember to do >the adjustments in order, or all is for not. When you do go for the pro >set-up, be able to explain what you like, describe your heavy or light >touch, and don’t just take the bass home, until you try it out. See how >you like it, and don’t be too afraid to ask for something a little >different if NEEDED. >Arm thyself here: >http://www.altguitarbass.com/faq.asp#Setup >http://members.rogers.com/dbl-bass/setups.htm >http://archive.bassplayer.com/gear/specs.shtml >http://www.mrgearhead.net/faq/basssetup.html >http://garywillis.com/pages/bass/bassmanual/setupmanual.html >http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/6203/page33.html >http://www.harmony-central.com/Bass/setups.txt >http://sadowsky.com/media/pdf/technical/bp0999_bass_setup.pdf >http://www.fretnotguitarrepair.com/ElectricGuitarRepair.htm > I agree with the general group sentiment(s): > If you have any mechanical skill and patience, learn it yourself. It > will empower you to be able to get your bass in shape if you have to > do it yourself the evening of a gig with no techs available. > I have posted about this before: while I have minimal mechanical > skills and patience, I did learn the basics of set-up about 12 years > ago. I pay someone else (a friend who is a luthier) though, because I > don’t have the patience or sometimes don’t want to spend the time, but > now have some money to put towards it several times a year (Northeast > Ohio weather!).
Another vote here for do it yourself, but first let a pro do it so you will know how the bass should feel after being properly setup. Chris
Response:
Where in the NW are you located?
Response:
> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling > adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was > wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to > make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and > stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their > own setup?
You should pay between 30-40$ for a set-up, and 60-80$ for a level and crown.
Response:
> How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling > adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was > wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to > make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and > stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their > own setup?
I’d have a pro do it first – so it’s done properly, exactly as you like it. That will give you a great starting point to do your own tweaks from. Thereafter, for many years, you will only need to make small seasonal adjustments (to cope with temp/humidity), and also should you change to strings with very different tension or diameter. Andy (airbass)
Response:
How much do guitar shops charge for truss, saddle, and fret leveling adjustments for a bass guitar (such as Fender) in the NW USA? I was wonder if doing the first two myself would save me enough money to make it worthwhile. Or should I just trust a pro to do it right, and stick to playing the instrument? How many players out there do their own setup?
Response:
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