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Set up
Each VOX bass is adjusted at the factory for a wide range of playing styles, with .045"
to .105" gauge strings. You may want to fine tune the playability for your own personal
style, different string gauges, or after a change in the weather.
Adjusting the Neck Relief
Before making any adjustments, you'll need to verify the correct relief, or concave bow,
in the neck. With the bass tuned, press the low E string down at both the 1st and 21st
frets (a capo at the first fret makes this easier) and check the distance between the top
of the 8th fret and the bottom of the low E string. Ideally, you'll see a very small gap,
similar to the thickness of a thin pick.
If you see too much relief, you'll need to tighten the truss rod by turning the truss rod
adjust nut clockwise with the supplied wrench. If you don't see enough relief, or if the
string is touching the 8th fret, you'll need to loosen the truss rod by turning the truss rod
adjust nut counter-clockwise.
Never force the truss rod. If you are uncomfortable with this kind of adjustment, take
your bass to a qualified service center.
Adjusting the String Height
Unless a large change in action is necessary, it is best to adjust action at the saddles
instead of the bridge posts. To raise the action of a particular string, turn the appropriate
bridge saddle height adjust screws clockwise with the supplied tool. To lower the action,
turn the appropriate bridge saddle height adjust screws counterclockwise. Each bridge
saddle has two saddle height adjust screws, so try to adjust each screw by the same
amount to keep the saddle level.
Adjusting the Intonation (Octave Tuning)
Changes in neck relief, string action, or string gauges can all change intonation. To
check the intonation, compare the pitch of the note fretted at the 12th fret to the pitch of
the 12th fret harmonic for each string. If the fretted note is sharp (higher in pitch than the
harmonic), you'll need to make the string longer by turning the intonation adjust screw
clockwise. If the fretted note is flat (lower in pitch than the harmonic), you'll need to
make the string shorter by turning the intonation adjust screw counterclockwise.
Adjusting the Pickup Height
The height of the pickups is adjusted in a similar way to the height of the bridge sad-
dles—by turning the height adjust screws either clockwise (up, higher output) or counter
clockwise (down, lower output). Remember to leave plenty of clearance for the vibrating
strings.
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