The Setup

• The bass' setup refers to minor adjustments made to the bass to make the instrument playable according to the players taste and playing style. This generally means making sure it's in tune and is easy to play. To start setting up your bass, rest the instrument in a safe corner and use the bass' gig bag or similar cloth as a backdrop to prevent scratching the headstock. Put a small rag in-between the tailpiece and the bass' body to prevent any scratching to the body surface when the strings are loosened. Next, loosen the strings, starting with the D and working to the E, turning the tuning pegs a quarter turn each until the strings are fairly floppy. Don't loosen the strings completely because they need to have just enough give to insert the bridge. Slide the wooden bridge under the strings (if your bass already has a bridge, simply loosen the strings enough to adjust the bridge's position). The tallest side of the bridge goes underneath the E string, shortest under the G. Pull the strings away from the bass enough to flip the bridge into its upright position (make sure you don't pull hard enough so that the strings slide from the nut grooves on the headstock). Center the bridge so that it aligns with the divots on the F holes of the bass. If desired, the bridge can have a slight forward or backward lean that will affect the height of the strings from the fingerboard. Adjust according to preference.
  
  

Tuning

• Remember that upright bass strings have more play than those on their electric counterparts. Slowly turn the pegs when tuning to avoid tuning the bass to high, as damages will most certainly occur. While tuning, make sure the bridge doesn't shift. As you tune each string, the increase in neck tension will usually make the previous string detune, so you will have to go back and retune a few times to get it correct. Allow the bass to sit for a day or two before rechecking the tuning.