neck setup / relief

[Ken Smith]

Originally Posted by Tim Bishop

Darn, that's what I get for writing a novel-like response and letting my coffee get cold. Ken beats me on the draw again. So , yeah, what Ken said.

Yeah, what Tim said..

Isn't that Soooo much easier? I wish I woke up a few minutes later today. Would have saved me some time..

[Terry Atkinson]

Thanks Ken and Tim. I understand it is all about feel. I was just looking for a bit of experienced guidance.

From Ken: "I press down the outer strings (lower first) between the 1st and about the 15th fret and look at the space from under the string to the top of the fret about mid way. Say about from a 32nd" to a 16th" relief at the least and or so on the low side. More if needed. The eyeballed measurement means less than the feel. "

I use a feeler gauge when I set up my guitars as the starting point and then tweak it from there. When you have set up hundreds or thousands of basses, eyeballing it is second nature. This is the first time I have adjusted the Smith (or any bass), so a specific measurement "from a 32nd" to a 16th" relief" is a helpful starting point.

Thanks for your patience.

Terry

[Tim Bishop]

Using my new Smith BSR5EG and using Smith Medium Taper Cores, I am providing the following as a general guideline from my set-up.

The following are my measurements for string clearance across the fretboard at the 12th and 24th frets (measured from top of fret to bottom of string):

String clearance across fretboard at 12th. Fret (strings not fretted):

B - 4/64
E - 3/64
A - 3/64
D - 3/64
G - 3/64

String clearance across fretboard at 24th. Fret (strings not fretted):

B - 4/64
E - 3/64
A - 3/64
D - 3/64
G - 3/64

NOTE: Notice the consistency of the above two measurements at both 12th and 24th frets. This is what happens with a perfect neck, fret, and fretboard work.



The following are measurements at the leading edge and top of the neck and bridge P/U's when strings are fretted at the 24th fret:

String clearance (with strings fretted at 24th fret) across fretboard at leading edge and top of Neck P/U:

B - 5/64
E - 7/64
A - 7/64
D - 7/64
G - 5/64

String clearance (with strings fretted at 24th fret) across fretboard at leading edge and top of Bridge P/U:

B - 6/64
E - 8/64
A - 8/64
D - 8/64
G - 6/64

Important: If your P/U's utilize the Poll Pieces and you make adjustments to them (i.e. raising them), measurements should be made from the top of the poll pieces to bottom of strings.


Additionally, all things being equal, I would use this similar set-up for a 4 or 6 string bass.

Again, these are my settings for my Smith basses (+/- 1/64th.). I'm not suggesting you set-up your bass as I have, however, you may want to give it a try and determine if it works for you.