Your Unicornbass is hand built with fantastic attention to detail. Use a properly trained professional Luthier when servicing if needed or warranty will be void if we see abuse upon examination.
I am here to support any queries you have. We often do setups and services on our instruments. As a Unicornbass owner, you have the guy service your bass that normally makes them! So work is actually cheaper done by us due to the fact that we know the bass anatomy in and out and can work faster and better. Plus we have spares that is of original quality.
If you are in doubt, give me a call at +46(0)731-510788 or email me.
How to adjust neck relief: Neck relief is the most common cure to strings rattling or if the bass feels hard to play due to exessive forward bow (neck relief).
- Left index finger pressing at the first fret, right pinkie pressing at 15th fret, tap the string on the area of the string over the 7 th fret. There should be a paper thin distance between the string and the 7th fret giving you just about the right relief.
- Some players with much harder styles do want more relief but as a rule, if you have a millimeter in there, it´s too much, robbing the bass of the response and if it´s too close, IE no distance or even a backbow it´s gonna rattle all the time.
- Our trussrods has clockwise (sv: medsols) adjustment for straightening the neck (counteracting the strings wish´ to bend the neck forward) and counter clockwise (sv: motsols) adjustment if the neck needs more bow “forward”. When you adjust, be sure to not overdo it. You should notice big change at 1/4 turn. Our trussrods are dual action if you ever should need to correct a backbow.
IMPORTANT NOTES: You find the adjustment nut at the end of the fretboard, most often it´s a 4 mm or 3,5 mm Hex key (2008 and forward) or a 1/8″ (3,2mm), 2007 and backwards. These keys can be purchased through us if lost. DO NOT ATTEMPT USING A WRONG SIZE ALLEN KEY DUE TO WARRANTY VOID!
How to adjust the bridge:
There are three height adjustment screws and one locking screw on the top of each string saddle (since 2008). Untighten the locking screw before adjusting height or intonation. Lock after adjusting with light force, There is a lock screw in front of each saddle to adjust individual spacing. Can be used for individual setup or widening or narrowing the right hand setup. DO NOT OVERTIGHTEN SCREWS!
Intonation
Unlock the lock screw and slide the saddle until proper intonation is accomplished.
Pickup height
They should be adjusted at 4 mm distance from the under part of the strings. they can be slanted also slightly to enhance either the higher or lower strings.
Symptom: No sound in active mode.
- Check battery. replace if necessary. Anything below 8.6 V needs replacing asap.
- Check battery connectors and clean with electronics cleaner if needed.
- remove electronics compartment lid and check for loose cables, especially around the volume control or the output jack.
Symptom: Notes choking despite right action at last fret. Often this is due to seasonal changes in humidity.
- check relief of neck. Every neck needs just a little relief not to make too much fret noise. See adjustment tips.
FRETBOARD
Once a year
Normally the fretboard does not need that much attention but once a year, take off the strings and use a soft slightly damp microfibre rag and clean off the fingerboard and get rid of the skin and dirt debris. Use mineral oil and smear the fretboard (not laquered ones!) with it, let sink in for a couple of minutes and wipe off any exess until it feels smooth and oil free. String up the bass.
FINISH
Once a year
Clean off dirt and grime with a damp microfibre rag, use then a carnauba polish wax (car wax) and wax the bass (not matte finish! Only gloss and sandwax finishes) , let the wax dry and then use a clean microfiber rag and remove excess residue. Only one area at the time. This preserves the shine and good appearance of the bass.
ELECTRONICS
Once every 3-4 years
Spray potentiometers, output jack and battery clips with electronic spray cleaner gently (not too much and be careful not getting the solvent on laquered surfaces if you got a very early 1 component acrylic finishes) and use a tops or similar to clean the jack socket and battery connector(s). On pots spray inside where the carbon track is located, turn pots fully end to end 10-20 times so it cleans the guide and track. On some basses we have closed pots with no serviceable tracks.
TUNERS
Once every 3-4 years
GOTOH tuners are sealed for life but Hipshot tuners (where you can see the gears) you need to lubricate the gears and turn the tuner 30 times each direction and gently wipe of excess.