Picked up my first bass earlier today, need help

T

TheJuicyFruit

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Apr 27, 2016
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#1
I apologize in advance for my ignorance, but I'm feeling quite dejected and upset, worried I might have ruined my new bass.

So I got a Dean Edge 09 Bass, and amp (Came with everything needed to play), and I got it tuned with the tuner, but when I try to press a fret, when I don't exert all my force pressing on the string, i get an ungodly buzz. I've watched youtube videos, that were sadly unhelpful. I tried tightening the bridge screws with one of the alan wrenches that came with the set, with no change, despite quite a bit of experimenting. I'm terrifed to touch it now, in fear of making it worse. I don't know if I did something wrong, or what, I just don't know what to do :( please help if you can
 
#2
When you fret, make sure you fret as close to the fret wire as possible, but not on top of the fret wire, fret just behind it. To be clear, fret on the side closer to the bridge, not the nut.

Many beginners think that you're supposed to fret right in the middle of the fret, but that is not the case. It takes a lot more force to do so cleanly.

Now, the rest of the bass may not be set up well, which may make it harder to play than needed. There's some YouTube videos, but your neck relief (the bow in the neck when strings are installed) should be flat enough that you can fret the first and last frets and stick a credit card, but not much more than that, in between the 8th fret and the string.

Regarding the bridge screws, it doesn't sound like you did anything that's not reversible. You likely just raised/dropped the action a bit. These should be adjusted to taste, which will very on how hard/light you play and what strings are installed.

If you're not comfortable doing this stuff yourself, as it does take some time, maybe you can hire a tech from a local store to set it up for you, but see if they can also spend a few minutes and explain the process, and what the different adjustment screws do.

I know you don't have a Fender, but I found this guide helpful when I started doing my own setups: Bass Guitar Setup Guide | Fender Support
 
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#5
Thank you all for the quick responses! It's very reassuring to hear. I'll take it into guitar center tomorrow, I don't suppose anyone could guess how much it'll run me to get it set up?
 
#6
TheJuicyFruit said:
Thank you all for the quick responses! It's very reassuring to hear. I'll take it into guitar center tomorrow, I don't suppose anyone could guess how much it'll run me to get it set up?
Click to expand...

Depends what needs to be done. Anywhere $35 and up. FWIW: GC may or may not be the best place to take it. I know a guy that worked there and he said they take in more jobs than they can deliver in a timely manner. Another friend had his take 5 months to get a simple setup. Of course perhaps your GC is better in this regard. I have had better luck with an independent luthier who does setups.

YMMV.
 
#7
Since you're a novice do this.

Press E string at first and last fret. Look for a gap at the 8th fret. Here should be at least some that you can see. If none or thicker than a credit card. Go to a pro for a setup

If there is a gap in there, your string action may need setting. Go to a pro.

But, hand a perfectly set up bass to a novice and leave him alone, it's quite common his first attempts are going to be crappy buzzy sounds instead of clean notes. Bass is harder than it appears; that explains to me why local classified have so many beginner brand basses for sale.... I bought a perfect Mexico Fender P that had only been used an hour and a new Ampeg cabinet for half price from a guy that quit after one hour because his hand hurt.
 
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