Setting up a Bass Guitar

Posted by Benjamin on June 1, 2009 Filed under: bassguitar, tips tagged: set up, tips, tutorial

This will be a mini series of posts – although I may put everything under this one post too.

How do you set up your bass guitar?

Obviously the ideal is to have a professional do it for you – you can’t be a skilled hand and experience to get the perfect set up. However, sometimes just a minor tweak is required, or getting a full set up isn’t affordable or practical.

Adjustments on the Bass

So, what is adjustable? Apart from the obvious one (tuning), there are four main things that are checked and adjusted during a set up:

String height
Intonation
Trust rod (neck/fret board relief)
Pick up height

The first two are made via adjustments to the bridge. Trust rod adjustment is more tricky, while pick up height is relatively straight forward. Additionally a good set up should also look at the condition of the frets and fretboard, and also check the nut for ware. If you are already someone who sets up your own bass, hopefully you’ll pick up some additional tips, but do share what you’ve learnt as well! If it is all new to you, don’t be intimidated. Think of it as a way to better understand your bass.

To be continued…

Like it? Share it!

Add to delicious Stumble it Share on Facebook Tweet it

10 Responses to “Setting up a Bass Guitar”

JJ Anton, on June 1st, 2009 at 4:23 PM Said:

First and only time I ever tried to adjust my truss rod…I screwed the neck up. Good thing it was a cheap bass!

I let the pro’s do that.
Benjamin, on June 1st, 2009 at 4:28 PM Said:

Ouch, sorry to hear that! Truss rod is definitely the big scary one, and the one that most people get (badly) wrong – including me when I was a teenager. It’s a little different than just adjusting the intonation isn’t it?
Tucson Bass Player, on June 2nd, 2009 at 3:03 AM Said:

I have two different techs that are great here in town. I am not touching anything if they are near by. But if you are traveling town to town, in and out of the humidity you have to be able to lean on the rods or you are screwed.

Great post!
Bass Guitar | Washburn Bass Guitars, on June 3rd, 2009 at 11:03 AM Said:

[...] Setting up a Bass Guitar [...]
Setting String Height - Adjusting Your Action | The Bass Guitar Blog, on June 11th, 2009 at 9:46 PM Said:

[...] «Setting up a Bass Guitar [...]
Sonicfrog, on June 12th, 2009 at 2:10 PM Said:

Hey

I just stumble on your blog. Terrific! Linked it at mine. I’ve been playing for 23 plus years and am still, and will always be, a student of the thing.

Happy Bass’ing

Mike @ Sonicfrog Blog.
The Development Of The Electric Bass Guitar | Guitar Instructors, on June 14th, 2009 at 6:21 PM Said:

[...] Setting up a Bass Guitar [...]
Steven, on August 1st, 2009 at 3:03 AM Said:

I am building my first bass. I have made several electric guitars. Anywhy, here is my question. I was sculpting the body and I may have carved to much…what is the distance from the bridge to the 12th fret
UC, on October 30th, 2009 at 7:08 PM Said:

jUST READ ON SETTING ACTION ON BASSES. i’M FROM sRI lANKA.
Just got a 6 string Grecco bass shipped from USA and it came with 2 truss rods on the head with all strings lowered (for shipping?) which gives fret buzz rapidly. I need to raise them back. Like you’ve adviced I ‘d turn allen keys clock wise to raise the action? My problem is as there are 2 truss rods lying parrelal to each other, how should I do this. Half turn of one and similar turn on the other? Your advice ‘d be of much help as I’d not get any luthier around in this part of the region. Thanks in advance.
Best regards
UC
learn how to play guitar, on November 3rd, 2009 at 3:59 AM Said:

.., informative blog!!! I love base guitar.. you rock!!