A bass that fights you makes every song harder. If your bass feels stiff, buzzes on the low strings, or sounds out of tune on the upper frets, a setup is usually the fix. At TuneUp Guitar in Redding we set up basses of every size and style, from vintage-style 4-strings to modern 6-strings.
What’s included in a bass setup
- New strings installed, or your current strings cleaned and reused
- Truss rod adjustment for the right neck relief
- Action adjustment at every bridge saddle
- Nut slot check so open strings don’t buzz or sit too high
- Intonation set for each string
- Pickup height balanced so all strings sound even
- Tuners, bridge, and strap buttons tightened
- Fretboard cleaned and conditioned
- Electronics check: pots, switches, output jack, and battery on active basses
Signs your bass needs a setup
- Notes on the E or B string buzz or fart out
- Strings feel high and your fretting hand gets tired fast
- Notes at the 12th fret sound sharp or flat compared to the open string
- The neck looks bowed or back-bowed when you sight down it
- You switched string gauge, tuning, or went to flatwounds
- The bass sat in a hot car or a cold garage
Set up for how you play
Fingerstyle, pick, slap, or a mix. Players who dig in hard need a bit more room under the strings. Slap players often want low action with a little extra relief. Tell us how you play and what tone you’re after and we’ll set it up to match.
Active and passive basses
We work on passive and active basses. On active basses we check the battery, the preamp controls, and the wiring for crackles or dropouts. If something electrical needs more attention, see pots, switches, and jack repair or hum and noise troubleshooting.
Bring it in
Drop your bass off at the shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Most bass setups are done in a day or two, so you’re not without it for long. Bands can bring several instruments in together.
Have a guitar that needs the same treatment? See guitar setup.
Bass Setup questions
Is a bass setup different from a guitar setup?
The steps are the same, but basses have heavier strings, longer necks, and more tension. Neck relief and string height need different targets, and a low B string on a 5-string needs its own attention.
Can you set up a fretless bass?
Yes. We adjust relief and action for the growl or clean tone you want, set the nut height, and check the fingerboard for wear.
Do bass strings come with the setup?
A setup can include new strings or we can reuse yours if they're still good. Bass strings vary a lot in price, so we'll go over options when you drop it off.