How To Setup Your Bass Guitar Again The Movie

[@peterhess2610]

After watching ~50 of Dave’s videos I finally got the courage to tweak the truss rod on my squire jazz bass. The result? Straight neck, no more string buzz and really low action.

[@tdelamont]

I love how Dave doesn't baby anything. He just beats the shit out of it, which is really a good idea to prepare an instrument for real-world use. He doesn't cherish it. Or relish it. Or ketchup it. Or mustard it. He just fixes it like your drunk Canadian uncle guitar tech should. Now, you damn kids better get outta his yard!

[@grantkoeller8911]

He is rough on it, but knows what he is doing.

[@jltrem]

"Rusted to shit." I love it when Dave uses professional terminology.

[@deathisfinalkk]

What a superb site you have here Dave just cant stop watching and it amazes me that theres so many guitars around that must need your expert tell it like it is set up.

[@johnnytrash1978]

I Have Been Playing For Over 20 Years, Toured With My Band, And Until Recently Never Setup My Own Bass, If My Band Was Out Of Town And My Bass Got "Gooched" Id Find A Shop And Have It Setup. I Was Always Afraid To Turn The Truss Rod Afraid I'd Fuck It Up. But I Wanted To Say Thank You To You, After Watching Your Video's I Got The Balls Up And Setup One Of My Basses The Way I Liked And Since have Setup All My Basses, So Thanks Man For Showing Me The Way To Do Set Them Up.

[@Moose91]

The tool that has the radius of the neck that you use for the action height is a brilliant idea. Thanks man.

[@summitthescale]

this video is good for wasting time. i dont play bass but for some reason its entertaining...

[@samstinkeringaround8961]

I so love the narration Dave provides.

[@nephilymbass1]

Definitely know what your talking about on the neck through basses. I had a Warwick thumb bass I spent 2800 dollars on and when I lucky sold it on eBay that area where the neck met the body was screwed. Now I play a bolt on again.

[@CommanderOfChicken]

Good to see you and the new KZbin guidelines are working together well.

[@KlumSyTurtl3]

This was released 4 years ago.

[@johnnyleaf788]

Very informative for a complete beginner like me, Information is worth more than gold! Thank you Davey.

[@darthmeek]

I'd like to say hello again "hello" last time I said you were a grumpy man an was attacked for saying it, but you did stand up for me , so " hello you grumpy bas$%@d , love your channel . made my grandson watch a few hours of your repair work, not sure he cared for it as much as I hoped lol

[@skyebluebill]

Personally I'm a big fan of the yamaha BB series basses. I own 2 of them. The BB stands for Broad Bass. Keep the videos coming. Great stuff.

[@mopheadthe3rd]

"if you gonna do a neck through, why stop the trussrod here, why not run it all the way through with the neck?". good point, very good point, have never once thought of that

[@gryzew]

Cause the part of the neck that has the body wings glued to it is unable to curve because of those side wings? String tension doesn't bend that anyway because of the reinforcement that is the rest of the body, and the truss rod would just break on that part if you tried to adjust anything.

[@mopheadthe3rd]

yea this was one of those comments im reading now wondering why i ever said that.

[@Headwind-1]

Agree

[@MiguelKooreman76]

Dave I love your work and especially your comments.

[@DavesWorldofFunStuff]

Glad to hear it

[@Jkautsky]

I once saw an article that reminds me of Dave and his distaste for instruments covered in DNA. This tech was working on a Gibson Les Paul that was just absolutely filthy. The player never cleaned it and he thought the build up because of some superstitious reason that I can't remember now. Unfortunately, the tech told him he'd have to clean it in order to get in playing correctly. After showing how he cleaned all the accumulated goo at the bridge, the tech wrote, "Sorry for messing up the mojo!"

[@TaralgaBushAdventure]

I do like that Yamaha. I like when looks and function works.

[@davidjen5244]

Not bad, for a Canadian. ;) I always enjoy your vids, Dave. Keep up the good work.

[@blasterkid2011]

Yamaha BB2000 I have the same exact Bass....they are GREAT!! had it since....1986 or so!

[@la196]

To clarify one step further regarding the above question, I was watching a setup video. He mentioned unequal turns of the bridge saddle height adjusters can affect the string spacing.

[@HectorJulioSanchezInda]

Excelente!!!. Muchas gracias por el video se aprende mucho!!. Gracias Maestro!!!.

[@alext9067]

Good point on the neck thru.

[@achillesyiangoulli3769]

These videos are great for filling in time. I'm in hospital waiting on a lung transplant, if Dave can make any one of those crappy instruments come good then I should turn out fine!........I don't play bass, but you sure are entertaining! And finally, I'll add this: Lucky Dave doesn't repair pianos. Peace!

[@simonmbush5047]

That was great to watch. I haven't set up my bass properly yet. What did you set the pick-up to string gap as? I've never known what that should be. cheers!

[@OblivionRatula]

Good to know. I went with GHS Stainless Steel Precision Flatwound, and because of being flat or not, and the truss rod definitely needed a tweak. They eyes have it.

[@voornaam3191]

I'm an absolute beginner, and I just converted my 70 dollar Hondo Fame Series 8300 to a fretless bass. It is not beautiful, but it works. No bad screws or bolts here. Only weird thing, there's an XLR and no jack. Thank you for this great example. It all looks familiar, I'm just slow.

[@pokermang1]

haha aweose video man i was laughin my ass off that whole time whislt learning alot, champion!, btw is that a yamaha bb1000s? cheers bro

[@homesick2442]

What are you using on the neck as a cleaner? Do you apply lemon oil to the neck afterwards after you use whatever product that is?

[@GuitarCentaur]

How do you eyeball the neck to know it's straight? And what tools do you have to specifically work on the neck/truss rod? Thanks.

[@CCGuitarGod]

Hey Davey, would it be possible for you to do a tutorial video on how to sight the neck for straightness? I'm trying to to a setup to make a shitty first act playable, so I can hopefully salvage it's neck for a tele bass project. The neck looks totally straight, and the saddles are maxed out as high as they go, and yet the strings are touching the fretboard. My old problem was having the action too high, and anything bordering on playable caused fret buzz. Thanks!

[@AntJoCac]

I like your videos. You seem like a genuine regular dude. You be fun to hang around for sure. Maybe you could restring my bagpipes for me, and tune the drones in my bass guitar.

[@alinealows]

dave's the freaking cooolest ever, rock on dave!

[@lordvad3r]

Hi Dave, loving the videos, what cleaner do you use on your pots dude, Cheers.

[@djhinormas959]

what did u use to clean the neck (not the brush lol)

[@Foxxnioxx]

+Djhi Normas Simple Green.

[@robsalvv5853]

Looks like this stuff: s294.photobucket.com/user/Rubiconmike1/media/006_zpsbe8d0287.jpg.html which says it's an Automotive cleaner and degreaser - should that be used on a guitar???

[@robsalvv5853]

Actually found the site, might be OK. simplegreen.com/en-ca/household/products/pro-series-max/

[@randolphpatterson5061]

Just be forewarned, Simple Green can crack plastics if used full strength. Be very careful with items such as pickguards, truss rod covers, back plates, etc..

[@burrito1331]

What do u think of Spector and Warwick basses?

[@lordvad3r]

Thanks man, I seen your video on "stick-in-ur-backers" and just wanted to ask whats with the bridge!! I got one in my shop atm I think its like a 4003 model or summit, with single jack and dot inlays, but the bridge on these things are just crazy, the intonation screws are behind some wierd bar shit, any ideas?? a side from the obvious (from it in with the trash) : )

[@KyleRebar]

Dude, I love your commentary!

[@SoManyBasses]

You've come a long way in your technique!!

[@robertcarnes1525]

Dave where are you and your shop located? Do you have a website?

[@ruuuruuu2422]

What's the spray he used on the bridge and neck? Great video

[@ruuuruuu2422]

***** Thanks!

[@1976oswald]

do you recommend oil for the wood or fretboard?

[@overdriven77]

hey Dave, I recently gooched the volume pot for neck pickup on my sx jazz bass. I temporary rewired both pickups to one pot (yep. they're both on all the time)......so , to cut the crap, I wanna buy three original Fender 250K pots and replace my old chinese made crap ones with them. Will it sound better with Fender pots, or there will be no difference? thanks

[@DislocatedCardiganV1]

6:59 magic tin

[@maxogesten6928]

Hello Dave! I'm gonna setup my Yamaha BB1000s bass. I don't have the truss rod key. What size key did you use on the bass in the video? Thanks for great videos!!!

[@ziggassedup]

Good point with the truss rod...Like you said.."You don't make any money up there"..That end of the neck...I think the dude who invented that screw was "U.R. Screwed"

[@SICKENEDMAGGOT1]

Hey, I'm getting my first electric bass guitar in about a week or so, and I was wondering about what gauge, and brand of strings are great for beginner bassists. Btw, my finger tips are nice and well seasoned from playing a regular acoustic guitar for two years...so yeah. Hope to hear back from ya

[@Okshake]

No idea what's going on here but it looks cool and interesting! I want to play bass now!

[@olflatop]

Awesome! Thanks!

[@msbj10]

dave is it ok to remove all 5 strings of a 5 string bass at once? like for fretboard cleaning and setup

[@haynerbass]

Great video man! What distance do you look for between strings and pickups when setting the height of the pick ups.?

[@TaralgaBushAdventure]

press the string down on the last fret - there should be about 1/8" gap between bottom of string and top of pickup pole. You can have less or more depending on how it sounds and how you like it, but that's a guide for you.

[@haynerbass]

Thanks.

[@oldwarhorse1954]

Cool-spent 5 years in Alberta. You sound above the 48th Parallel.

[@bluuone]

What do you use for fretboard cleaning?

[@Bluebuthappy182]

Hi Dave, I have a question total off topic. Have an es335 riip off and thinking of switching out the bridge. Are the mountings that go into the guitar universal or are there different spacings?

[@carrkids3829]

You are an awesome person.

[@OblivionRatula]

Hey Dave, I think in one of your other videos you mentioned that flatwound strings put more tension on the neck (I think I understand the physics of that). Are there any other concerns when switching to flats aside from typical setup (tighteing up truss rod and adjusting action as needed)? Thanks. I love your vids and your style.

[@rampage222555]

or use elixirs. a set costs a bit more than regular strings, but they last a few times more and no gunk really gets into the strings. they sound almost new until you feel like taking them off.

[@JC_0X]

any video about fret work?

[@xFATALITYx2]

I just ordered a new bass.. What would I tell my guitar shop if I wanted him to set up my bass like this? Like change the string and adjust everything?

[@bluuone]

Thanks!

[@joedessauer]

This is informative and hilarious, subbed

[@iF3nd3r]

Nice bass

[@mybassguitarpwnsyou]

Are you in Toronto? Could I bring you my bass for a set up?

[@sfcking5526]

Thanks man! you are so funny to watch. You know what the blank ur doing.

[@CheshireCatFun]

What make/model pick-ups are those? (Yes, I know they're P-Bass style . . . I mean who specifically makes them, and what model number they are.)

[@burningcell]

what did you use to clean the bridge?

[@dreadnaught90]

Do you not include adjusting the pickup heights in a bass guitar setup?

[@typeonegfr]

You don't get fretless often ?

[@la196]

Just wondering when observing pro set up I never see anyone concerned or bringing any attention to string spacing. Is that something that doesn't typically get too far out of whack to address in a video? Thanks

[@NickKing95]

I love your videos.

[@9thaspect9]

Loves his job :-)

[@videomaniac108]

Do you pencil coat the nut slots and bridge saddles with graphite before you put the new strings on?

[@DerredmaxTRIAX]

***** Good answer Dave! lol

[@utubehound69]

Jim Nesta Thats a great tip graphite & 3 in One Oil mix it & apply every where the string touches the saddles nut. It helps a Ton with tuning.

[@videomaniac108]

Watchman4u Thanks, it just seems like a good practice to me to try to minimize friction between moving parts on any mechanical device. Some of the strings on my bass would sometimes bind a little in their nut slots when I would tune it up and so I made it a habit to try to keep those contact points lubricated.

[@utubehound69]

Jim Nesta Try that you have that stuff around the house you can buy the graphite @ automotive parts stores it's used for sticky key's a little of the powdered graphite & it will not seize up. Same w/guitar just add some 3 & One Oil in the tin can w/the Red tip. Must have stuff. Cheaper than that "nut sauce" they sell. And works better. makes perfect sense I have a old guitar that had a locking trem but the saddles had wheels the string went over they were to roll w/the dive bomb well the low E saddle broke & I can find another like it any ideas It was a KMD by Kaman Top Mounted Custom style trem & had a 0 fret I think? They were the Answer to like a Jackson Solo / Dinky or RG / Charvell i.e. Super Strat. The Kaman Co. is no help. I thought about the D-Tuna but I'm not sure it would work. Jimi said only cowboys play in Tune. lol

[@videomaniac108]

+Watchman4u Thanks for the info on that; I'm going to use that on my bass when I get it back from the luthier. It's a Gibson Thunderbird with their "Tektoid" nut, supposedly some polymer with impregnated Teflon or graphite, and I'm having it replaced with a harder bone nut. Since bone isn't self-lubricating, I think that oil/graphite mixture you mentioned will be good for the nut slots.

[@KZHX]

What do you guys think of the VM Squiers :)

[@OtherworldJudge89]

Question for ya Davey. I have a bass with a very light body, so light in fact that the neck just drops to the floor, is this not too uncommon, or is my bass just made of crap? Cheers! :D

[@nrich5127]

Dave - just a little suggestion - while there are no strings on the Bass and you are cleaning the bridge - wouldn't it be a good time to shoot a few drops of Liquid Wrench penetrating oil on each adjusting screw and work them back and forth to free them up. Just an idea.

[@J8D2]

Peter hook from joy division uses that bass in the video for love will tear us apart.

[@BassGuitarGuy128]

Buttered toast.

[@J8D2]

BassGuitarGuy128 jawbreakers.

[@isleofwightdave2286]

Is this the BB1200 ?

[@Veaseify]

Just like my dad working on his car but with less swearing...very informative actually

[@jrbass62]

You're vids are funny!! Can I send my Rics to you from Fl. For the Gooched setup??

[@johnstonetcheou5203]

Do you know what model Yamaha BB that is?

[@bobbar9259]

Dave what is that cleaner your using.

[@johnkramer7161]

simple green

[@HAYDS510]

7:24 "Time me", 7:26 the strings are in place. I'd say that's a fair effort Dave.

[@crlaw75]

Lee Valley Tools is a great place for wood stuff.

[@AsThickAsTheiVs]

i recently bought a squier 5 string ... the action of the strings is really tight ... but the intonation is fine and i like the distance from the strings to the fret board . would putting ernie ball super slinky strings on it with my next set up solve this problem of stiff ass strings ? or what should i do ?

[@Thejeditusken2]

Depending on what gague of strings you're getting, it could affect some stuff on your bass. If you were to go to a heavier gague set, it puts more tension on the neck, and will curve the neck.

[@AsThickAsTheiVs]

yea .. i know ... i sorta stated that in my question . but what i found out was putting lighter gauge strings forced me to adjust the nut height a bit because my nots above the 5th fret were going sharp . playing bass for 15 years led me to a 200 dollar bass that i will never give up

[@derrymadness]

THANK YOU DAVE!...

[@ChrisPippin]

What is the material on your neck stands, leather?

[@ChrisPippin]

+Dave's World of Fun Stuff Cool! Thanks!! Really enjoy your videos, been needing to get my frets leveled on a few guitars and I think I can do it. Looks like the stands are just 2x4 with a v notch in the middle with the leather glued on with contact cement. Correct? Looking for something reliable and easy to make. Thanks Dave!

[@PANICBLADE]

not only that, but if you got a neckthrough and the whole neck is maple/walnut, it adds some serious weight to your instrument, and can be really uncomfortable.

[@picklesgoodcat]

What is the guitar you have? I need to buy one :O

[@theshiftr6841]

Is that a Yamaha bb3000A ? I own one myself

[@bencokus9723]

bb1200 actually

[@jaymantisgaming]

laughed my arse off. this guys attitude reminds me of me when my bandmates get me to set their guitars up xDD

[@murderface74]

I got buz on the 2nd and 3rd frets, how do I get it out

[@TheClydedog]

Welcome to the tube!!. Four week's in and your gonna save the world. Best of luck. LMFAO.

[@ejtakach]

A new land speed record!

[@Rrrremguy]

Why are guitar techs always salty old curmudgeons, so bitter and pessimistic? Is it dealing with lowlife musicians who are always trying to rip them off or is it shattered dreams of rock & roll greatness due to a lack of any real creative musical ability? Na, must be them pesky kids always trying to rip me off! Love your commentary - keep on truckin', brother.

[@gryzew]

I think "bitter and pessimistic" comes from more often than not getting instruments that never received any proper care and/or require fixing previous poorly done mods or repairs or even poor factory work. You're feeling sorry for people buying shitty instruments (used or new) and having to instantly overspend on the fixes you do, on the other hand you're feeling different kind of sorry for guys who supposedly play for years and don't even know how to (or see why they should do it) set up and maintain basic stuff like intonation themselves. Also, after the first few times of being the first one in a decade to scrub some cemented bodily secretions off a guitar, you'd be somewhat cynical too.

[@gryzew]

You also start looking in a very practical way on instruments' technical aspects quickly, you sure do complain about manufacturers that try to reinvent the wheel and you end up with some solution that takes 5 times longer to adjust than everybody else's, or on proprietary parts that are impossible to replace. You will dislike any other neck joints than bolt-on very quickly, too.

[@randolphpatterson5061]

It doesn't take more than a few oddball customers wishing for the impossible. How about somebody who wants an acoustic fitted with an oak top, but who expects it to sound like spruce?

[@grittynitty]

I like to get drunk and work on guitars too!

[@DigBipper188]

+grittynitty Sometimes the extra alcohol is good for those long repair jobs...

[@01Gens]

+Dave's World of Fun Stuff then find another job

[@virtualRod]

I don't.

[@DigBipper188]

***** Nice try, but no...

[@videomaniac108]

I like a nice glass of Cabernet Sauvignon when I'm doing a setup.

[@ThDirtyCurfDrummer]

I know this video is 8-years-old, Dave, but it showed up in my recommendations today, so I thought I'd answer the age-old question about who invented the slotted screw and driver. It was British inventor Jesse Ramsden in 1770. His screw and the driver were the very first. The Phillips screwdriver would later come into existence in the U.S. around the 1930's thanks to Henry Phillips. Now why in the hell we still use what I forever will call the the Ramsden screwdriver over the Phillips screrdriver is beyond me. You would think that the world would've let the Ramsden screw and driver go the way of the Dodo, but for whatever reason this world has not. Like yourself, I too loathe the wretched invention. If I ever go to Brighton, England, I'll be sure to visit his grave at St. James' Piccadilly to defecate on his tombstone, lol!

[@jltrem]

Hell yeah, a Beatle T-shirt. Alright, Dave.

[@BungaEBiker]

I have a Peavey Cirrus bass that my lady friend bought fo rme. Very nice neck through bass but the truss rod is stripped and its near unplayable now. It's just sitting there and I haven't a clue what to do with it. I'm now weary of neck through for that reason. If the neck is gooched the rest goes with it.

[@patjournick1197]

how much would all this cost?

[@randalkeller2866]

Waiting for him to crack open an Elsinore beer and call everyone a hozer eh! Thank you for the tips

[@elponeco7539]

yamaha? what model?

[@guitarplayer232]

El poñeco BB 1200

[@valligatoreig]

enjoyed it :)