Basic Bass Guitar setup using a Squier Affinity Series PJ Bass - step by step instructions.
String & Pickup height gauges fir sale:
www.manotickstringworks.com
This 2020 Squier Affinity Series Bass guitar with PJ pickups needs a setup. All of the setup steps are detailed in this video with suggested measurements and specs.
The owner bought it new and has not played it much; I really like these basses since they have the precision and jazz bass pickups and a narrower neck. This bass is really a perfect bass for a beginner or as a backup instrument on stage. Enjoy the video and please remember to Like & Subscribe for more content. Thanks!
-Steve
Manotick StringWorks
Ottawa, Ontario
sroyMSW@gmail.com
sroymsw.wixsite.com/manoticks...
#bass, #squier, #precision
Пікірлер: 117
As a luthier myself, finally someone does the set up in the correct order😎, great upload 👍
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Richard.
At last a set up video that goes straight to the point step by step without aimless waffling chat, thanks👍
Great video! Im in the process of setting up my son's Affinity PJ bass. This video was the perfect refresher course for setting up bass. Thank you !
You won the lottery with this bass. I don't think I've ever seen one from the factory that close to being to spec!
Manotick StringWorks, I really enjoyed watching you set up that P/J bass, not only was it informative but the way you speak is very calming and easy to understand the details. Beautiful bass too!
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks for your comments! Please subscribe to my channel as well, if you haven't already - I plan to keep publishing videos every few days.
@bass-hiroshimanick2534
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech , you're welcome. I believe I'm already subbed but I'll double check. I look forward to more videos.
This goes to show just how long I've been away from playing a Bass Guitar. Back in the 70's this technique was unheard of. However, this was an interesting "Tutorial" and it has taught me tremendously on how to set up the action on my Squier Bass. Thank You👍
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
I am glad you enjoyed the video, Joe!
Awesome, very educational. And on the bass I'm about to buy. Big thank your
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! I hope you have subbed to my channel, too?
Lots of good info. Just ordered this bass. Hope it's as good. Have had very good results with Squire. Have a Jagmaster that is truly awesome. Thanks!
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
You should like it - set it up when you get it and it should play well.
Man, thanks! I needed this.
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Glad I could help. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@book3100
Жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech sure did. I'll be going into the past videos too. Thanks
Good job
Muito bom! Meus baixos estão bem ajustados agora. Obrigado!
Great video, very informative.
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Paul -I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@bandninkasimusic6484
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech subbed 👍
I just purchased a 2020 P/J SQUIRE Affinity from a girl who played in a metal band. Her E-string string was a 130 from a 5 string! Needless to say when I removed the strings it had so much neck tension that it looked like a hockey stick curve. Thankyou for this excellent video. I threw on some Super Slinky lights 45/65/80/100 and followed your setup and it's a great playing Bass now!
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Awesome! A .130 E string...wow!
Very interesting!
Good Video, I play all types of music ( Cumbias , Salsa , funk , rock & roll ) I just purcahse a squirer Jazz Bass did i made the right choice. I did have Ibanez !!
1. I found your channel due to having just received this exact bass in the same color. 2. Just purchased your gauges because those appear superior to the blade type. 3. Great content!
@ManotickGuitarTech
11 ай бұрын
Thanks so much! I hope you have subbed to my channel too?
@seminolefantodd4736
11 ай бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech I did!
Fascinating video, thanks for sharing.
thanks for sharing this was really helpful! could you recommend a set of tools/measure for maintenance/upkeep?
I adjusted my Affinity as always have done kind of Fender standards, it sounds pretty nice but would like to buy the tools you used here. Where did you get those adjusting tools if you can post it here. Thank you, it's a great video
This is one of the very few sources of setup information that I endorse. So much crap advice out there on the subject. Well done.
@ManotickGuitarTech
5 ай бұрын
Thanks, Scott!
I picked one of these up a couple of years back, it had a couple of issues, the pots are junk and only work in the last 1/4 of their rotation, the other issue that really surprised me was the nut action, crazy high. If you are prepared to do a bit of work on these basses you can get a decent instrument, the sound isnt quite there compared to my Fender P but its not far off. However it did disapoint me as these are designed as beginner guitars and essentially needs a set up out of the box, how will a beginner know this when they have just got the bass for their birthday ! As always Chinese QC never fails to disapoint.
@daveweed2765
7 ай бұрын
See your problem is... perfection from a 300 dollar guitar. You know how many privileged kids whose rich mom and dad bought them a high end instrument and never learned anything about playing it? It's not as easy as it looks to play an instrument and it takes a lot of dedication. That means practice practice practice and then more practice. Watching TV holding an instrument and going through scales or running the fretboard. Most people think they can learn to play by 1 lesson per week. Yeah right. 1 lesson per week and then 7 nights a week practicing that 1 lesson over and over and over again. Way more fun doing something else than practicing. Right? So why should any beginner start out with at least an 1100 dollar guitar? Especially kids? My in laws bought my nephew a 1200 Talor acoustic and asked if I would teach him. He supposedly was a guitar prodigy because he played like Elvis from a cheap kids novelty guitar from Graceland when they went. He never learned D G and C. And when people start out in tune is one thing but perfection from the guitar is not. That 1200 dollar guitar is in a case sitting in thier closet 14 years later. To be totally honest. Even being good enough to play tabs and other's songs you still have to know a little music theory and the notes along a fretboard when it come to guitar because not all tablature is correct to play with the least amount of work and the most speed as possible. Then once you learn the basics then you can learn the tones and intonation. Then perfect your playing even more. But you always should put the horse before the cart. Then it isn't just the instrument either unless it's acoustic but your Amp set up. Tube heads in a half stack or full stack cabinet. Tubes or digital heads? Natural distortion or digital distortion. Even on bass. So why would any beginner put out the money first when they may figure out playing music is not for them?
@nobbytart27
7 ай бұрын
@@daveweed2765 my point was you would expect a certain level of set up, just because its a £300 bass does not excuse or make it right that Fender allow very poorly set up instruments to leave their factory, at £300 i can excuse cheap components but they still have to work and the pots didnt, they were effectively on off switches, the nut height however cannot be excused and its like this with anything produced to a budget in China the QC is non existant to the point they obviously dont care and its obvious Fender dont either or they would not allow such poorly produced products out of the factory with their name on. Out of the box this bass was bordering on unplayable and that is not acceptable at any price. I'm not expecting perfection and this is the whole point i picked it up cheap because the kid who owned it just thought its to hard to play, probably because of the ridiculous nut height, he obviously didnt have the experience to realise the bass needed adjustment as it was brand new so just gave up which is a shame. Other manufactures such as Yamaha, Aria or Sterling can make fairly well set up basic instruments so why cant Fender/Squire, the only conclusion i can think of is Fender sadly dont care about the budget stuff because they make a fortune on the high end stuff, lesser manufactureres dont have the same street cred so have to try that bit harder. Why are we all watching a basic set up for a Squire bass? The answer has to be because they are probably all badly set up and need another £200 throwing at them for a pro set up making this a £500 bass which it absolutely is not worth. Based on my experience I would never recomend a Squire instrument to a beginer.
I think you've been studying Dave at Dave's world of fun stuff quite hard. Your method and delivery is almost identical !
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
I take that as a compliment! Lol
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Certainly inspired by his videos...
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Both Canadian, eh?
@mattfoley6082
Жыл бұрын
That guy Dave is one strange dude. His videos are rarely as helpful as they could be if he would STFU and explain what he's doing. Also, he often turns the camera off and doesn't show everything he did.
I got my first bass days ago, amSquier too but jazz bass, I tried to setup like yours but I think I have a heavy right hand, so I left my g on 6/64 and my e on 7/64
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Whatever feels comfortable for you!
Hello Friend, your videos are excellent. I would like to know the name of your tool to measure the height of the strings. Greetings from Costa Rica, Pura vida!!
Great video, thank you. Those string gauges are just what I need. I really want to order a set and what diameters are available ?
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed the video- I hope you have subscribed to my channel? I am hoping to have the gauges available for sale in late September.
Great video, what’s the name of the tool you’re using to check the string height??
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks, Cliff - I hope you have subbed? I make these string height gauges myself. I Might consider selling them soon.
Thank you for your previous help in the comments. I have another question for you regarding this PJ. When I turn both volume pots to max I get reduced volume and also reduction of low end frequencies. If I roll either volume knob back a little bit volume increases and low end returns. It's driving me nuts not being able to play with both P and J pickup at max volume. Was wondering if you've encountered this and have any fix for it?
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Here is a good way to explain it "When you turn both volume pots all the way up, the pickups are directly parallel to each other, which means they load against each other with the lowest output impedances. As you roll one pot down, a series resistance is placed between one pickup and the output, which increases its output impedance, therefore decreasing the load on the other pickup"... it is pretty normal. Roll one back a bit and the volume will increase.
@alper3699
2 жыл бұрын
That's probably soldering issue. Re-solder with standart electronic schematic for pj config.
@mattfoley6082
Жыл бұрын
That's normal for PJ or jazz bass. I have both and the low end is noticeably louder when using the neck pickup only. Also, bridge pickup only is lower volume than neck pickup only.
Thanks! I just got one the same model and may attempt this. Where to find the gauges?
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
I make the gauges myself
What would you have done if the 1st fret or "nut action" as you put it was not sufficient. Would the nut need to be replaced or filled? Or are there adjustments that can be done to mitigate it. Thanks!
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
If the action is too high, you can file the nut slots slightly. If it is too low, you might have to replace the nut.
Hi there need some help :) , I have problems with the J pickup and tone pot not working at all. The P pickup is working just fine. Do you have any insight?
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Most likely the wiring has come loose and needs to soldered again- remove the pickguard and check all the connection points.
@muhammadaimanaziz6616
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech I had checked by visual and so far the connections are fine. I will find myself a multimeter and check the continuity. Thanks a lot man
Thanks for that extra video. Where can I find the tools you use???
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
The string height gauges? I make them myself... might sell them soon. I hope you have subbed to my channel?
@sebrouxxx
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech Sure I did.
@sebrouxxx
2 жыл бұрын
For the string height gauges ans also the pickup height!
do you have a link to purchase string action tool? having a hard time reading mm the one you have gets to the point ! thank you!
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
I make them... might be for sale soon
@joannmannello9158
Жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech let me know when. thanks
I have this exact bass. When I intonate it, the G string saddle has to be pushed almost all the way back. This happened with the bridge that came withit and with the Gotoh 201B bridge that I retro-fitted. What could cause that? Thank you!
@ManotickGuitarTech
4 ай бұрын
The bridge location needs to be adjusted to 34" on the G string, then the intonation will work
@analogman9697
4 ай бұрын
Thank you!@@ManotickGuitarTech
I noticed you didn't need to adjust the neck. Very unusual for a new cheap bass. I've seen lots of new basses at Guitar Center with very high action due to bowed neck.
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Sometimes the necks are set just right... might be different in the summer or when the seasons change, of course. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
What´s the turning Bars suppose to Display on the Tuning Device ?
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
Flat turns counterclockwise, sharp turn clockwise... like a strobe tuner
I had to lower my neck pickups quite a bit to keep strings from hitting them when slapping.
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Matt, are you able to give me a measurement? How low are your PUPS from the underside of the string?
@mattfoley6082
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech I didn't measure, I just lowered until they didn't hit. Definitely lower than spec.
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
@@mattfoley6082 measurements are only guidelines - set them where you like them!
@beefyjoe
2 жыл бұрын
I unfortunately have the same problem 😮💨 wish I could keep them higher but I get the strings hitting the frets even when plucking at spec height.
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
@@beefyjoe try setting your string height to 6/64ths and then reset the pickups.
How much was that bass sir? I'm just curious because I will be buying mine soon. Very informative vid 👏
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
It was $200 second hand- I think new they are about $379 in Canada. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@analogman9697
2 жыл бұрын
They're sweet basses. I got one just to lay down some lines and can't put it down. Mine was $229(USD) new a couple of months back.
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
@@analogman9697 they are pretty good for the money and easy to modify and upgrade. I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
@sebrouxxx
2 жыл бұрын
The new one is an excellent choice.
@mattfoley6082
Жыл бұрын
I bought my 2019-ish Squier Affinity PJ off craigslist for $100 with soft case! I was very happy I got such a good deal. It was like new. I think prices have gone up due to covid; EVERYTHING has gone up.
I became the 1K likes guy😂
Are you making those gauges your using in this video to sell yet? I'll buy a set of them if you'll make me some..
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Very soon... I will make an announcement on my channel. Are you subscribed?
@DS-id6lk
Жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech Yes sir, what can i use filler gauge wise until you come out with these?
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
@@DS-id6lk use allen keys of the appropriate size
Are you just using Allen Keys stuck in a piece of dowl?
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
I am selling my string and pickup height gauges now... go to www.manotickstringworks.com for more information. Check out my latest video and subscribe at the same time. Thanks!
16:30 I bet you go through alot cables and returns for loose input jacks....
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
lol - suprisingly I have been using that same jack cord for over 2 years without an issue... super cheap ones. I think the foam mat saves it.
@mattfoley6082
Жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech The point is that you shouldn't put pressure on it. Or you should use a right angle plug.
Did you made those string ht handtool?
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
I did-i was thinking of making and selling them...is that something you think people would be interested in?
@geraldp494
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech 4 Sure!
@tgdb4968
2 жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech yep i'd buy some.
@tgdb4968
2 жыл бұрын
Great videos by the way, I followed what you did and my Bass plays a lot better.
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
@@tgdb4968 I am glad to hear that! I hope you have subscribed to my channel?
4:29 what would that look like in mm? 4:50 what would that look like in mm? 5:51 what would that look like in mm? tks
@ManotickGuitarTech
Жыл бұрын
you can convert inches into millimeters... there are apps for that 😁
@gomes-fonseca
Жыл бұрын
@@ManotickGuitarTech tks man, i got it my bass it was very good!!! thank you thank you thank you
Describing a 'tag' is such nonsense, deary me!
@ManotickGuitarTech
2 жыл бұрын
Sometimes you find interesting information on a hang tag, John... only takes a few seconds to read.