Bass Setup and Repair in Manhattan
A bass that fights you is usually a bass that's never been set up. The neck relief on a 34 inch scale under 40 pounds of string tension moves more than a guitar's, and most basses leave the factory with the action high enough to hide it. We set basses up every week, from P-basses to 6-string actives.
Bass setup
$145 for 4 and 5-string basses: truss rod relief for your string gauge and touch, saddle height and radius, intonation at each saddle (which on a bass is the difference between the open E and the 12th fret octave agreeing), nut slot check, fret polish, and a look at the electronics and battery. 6-string basses add $25 per extra string beyond 6 strings total on the extended range add-on.
Fretwork and nuts
Bass frets are big and wear slowly, but a buzz under the E string in one spot is still a high fret. Fret level, crown and polish is $225. A bone nut is $200, Tusq $150, and a new nut is the fix for a low open E that buzzes at the first fret.
Electronics
Dead pickup, scratchy pots, crackling jack: diagnosis is $65, pots $60, jack $60. Passive pickup installs are $100 for the first and $60 for each additional. Active preamp and battery box work is quoted after inspection. We rewind bass pickups at $125 per coil.
Restrings
A bass restring is $65 plus strings. We stock D'Addario and Ernie Ball bass sets in rounds and flats.
Prices
| Standard Setup4 or 5-string bass | $145 |
|---|---|
| Extended Range Add-onPer extra string beyond 6 | +$25 |
| Standard RestringPlus strings | $65 |
| Fret Level, Crown & Polish | $225 |
| Hand-carved Bone Nut | $200 |
| Electronics Diagnosis & Cleaning | $65 |
| Pickup Install, First PickupPassive | $100 |
| Pickup RewindPer coil | $125 / coil |
See the full repair and setup menu for everything else we do.
Bass setups are done in 3 to 7 days. Bring the gauge you plan to use; a setup is tuned to the strings on it.
Get a free quote
Common questions
- How much is a bass setup in NYC?
- $145 labor at Brothers Guitar Shop for 4 and 5-string basses. Extended range basses add $25 per extra string.
- Do you set up 5 and 6-string basses?
- Yes. 5-strings are the standard setup price. 6-strings and up add $25 per extra string.
- Should I change to flatwounds before a setup?
- Yes, switch first. Flats pull differently and the relief and intonation are set to the strings on the bass.
- Can you fix a bass that buzzes on the open E?
- Usually that's a low nut slot or too little relief. A setup fixes relief; a worn nut gets replaced at $200 bone or $150 Tusq.
- Do you work on active basses?
- Yes. Diagnosis is $65 and preamp or battery box work is quoted after we open it up.