How to set up a 6-String Bass

Wow, what a monster.  I’ve looked at some of these before but I’ve never really tried one out, it just seems so huge! The basic principles for a setup are the same as any guitar, just scaled up a little. It’s also got a problem with the nut.  The slots are a little deep so the […]

Fender Precision Bass – Setup

I often get asked if I can set up a Bass guitar.  The simple answer is yes, there’s no real difference. Some of the numbers may be a little different but the principles are exactly the same.  It’s the same 5 point setup…. No.1  The neck relief. By adjusting the truss-rod. No.2  The action at […]

Water Buffalo Horn Nut

If you need a new bone nut, but want a black one, how about Water Buffalo Horn?  It’s not quite as tough as bone but it’s the best natural substance I’ve come across. This Bass needs a new one just because it’s broken. I’ve not got any pre-shaped ones so I’m going to have to […]

Fender Precision Bass – Setup

A great looking guitar, just not playing at all well.  I didn’t really need to measure the action, more like a step-ladder to reach it! Yeh, that’s possibly the highest action I’ve ever seen, even on a Bass. The bridge saddles were quite low though, and those pickups are rather close to the strings. While […]

Fender Precision Bass – Setup

Another stunning new Fender, just needs a tweek here and there to get it playing at its best. While I was at it I tidied up some of the plastic film left on the pick-guard..   The only way to get it all is to take the knobs off. On with the setup the neck […]

Fender Jazz Bass – New heads and setup

Nice Bass, rather worn machine heads though.  Managed to get a rather nice new set from Axesrus to exactly fit the old holes.All that’s needed is a good cleanup….and a lick of oil…Followed by a standard 5 point setup.. No.1 The neck set, starting with it as flat as possible…by adjusting the truss-rod.No.2 the action […]

Milan IV Bass – Setup

This one’s been sitting around for a while, so needs a bit of work to get back into a good playing condition.  The machine head posts were quite corroded so that seemed like a good place to start. That’s better.. Next the fretboard, a good cleanup to remove a few years worth of dirt. and then some […]

Ibanez Bass – tidy up

Another great Bass.  Seen some action so needs a bit of a tidy up.  It would be a shame to do too much though, it’s got it’s age and use written all over it.  Something I hate are the new “Road Worn” guitars but this one’s got that way from use. There were some black […]

Rickenbacker 4003 Bass

Now that’s a Bass!  Probably right at the top of my wish list.. I’ve always been a Rickenbacker fan. This one doesn’t really need much doing,  basic setup and remove the bridge pickup cover.Easier said than done, need to take the strings off for one. While the strings were off I gave the frets a quick […]

Fender Jazz Bass nut job

This one had a bit of a buzz so I made a new nut… Unfortunately I couldn’t find a black TUSQ blank the right size so I’ll have to cut down a larger one to fit. Mind you the original blank was the wrong one anyway.  The radius of the bottom didn’t fit the neck! […]