Terminology Question...

mchildree · #1 03-19-2005, 05:22 AM

A recent thread reminded me of this...I knew early on that a DB had a "fingerboard" as opposed to that other unmentionable thing. Somebody admonished me about using the term "action" not long ago, and I still do not know the "correct" term to reference the playability/setup of a DB.

Anyone bored enough to fill me in?

Jazzman · #2 03-19-2005, 05:47 AM

I agree with you. Those terms are for a bass guitar player, not a bass player.

Aleph5 · #3 03-19-2005, 05:52 AM

...term "action" not long ago, and I still do not know the "correct" term...

String height, I imagine. (?)

Hey, Mike, how's the before/after w/ your Cleveland? Is it as good after repair?

mchildree · #4 03-19-2005, 05:57 AM

You know, it's a little hard to know for sure; I didn't have it for a few months so it'd be hard to compare before/after. In the interim, I played EUB exclusively so I REALLY forgot what the "before" was like. Now that I have it back, it sounds and plays wonderfully and I can't tell anything changed in terms of tone. I think I like the feel of this neck a little better than the other...I don't know why but I do. Wishful thinking, maybe?

Aleph5 · #5 03-19-2005, 08:32 AM

That's good to hear and is a little, er, relief.

I took happy delivery of my golden colored Cleveland last June and was among the vast group who cringed to hear about the accident. Glad it's behind you.

ispider6 · #6 03-19-2005, 10:55 AM

In my experience I've heard it called both "action" and "string height". I prefer "action" and all my fellow classical buddies know what I'm talking about. If anyone ever tells you that the term "action" is not to be used when talking about DB, they are either ignorant, elitist or just plain wrong.

arnoldschnitzer · #7 03-19-2005, 11:16 AM

"Action" is a guitar word which refers to the height of the strings, the relative curvature of the bridge and the neck relief. Using the word "action" to refer to a double bass' string height is incorrect, incoherent and inelitist.

mchildree · #8 03-19-2005, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

"Action" is a guitar word which refers to the height of the strings, the relative curvature of the bridge and the neck relief. Using the word "action" to refer to a double bass' string height is incorrect, incoherent and inelitist.

Now I remember who corrected me the first time...and didn't tell me what the proper term is. That's twice now, Arnold!

Jeff Bollbach · #9 03-19-2005, 11:52 AM

Please forgive me Ahnold, I forgot the proper term. Since I don't want to be excluded from the He-man Luthiers club can you refresh me?

Marcus Johnson · #10 03-19-2005, 11:55 AM

I like "gooshiness", i.e., "them strings is sufferin' from an excess of gooshiness".

mrpc · #11 03-19-2005, 12:35 PM

Maybe goosheeness would actuion for that moosheeness that some basses have!

ispider6 · #12 03-19-2005, 11:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnoldschnitzer

"Action" is a guitar word which refers to the height of the strings, the relative curvature of the bridge and the neck relief. Using the word "action" to refer to a double bass' string height is incorrect, incoherent and inelitist.

Are you suggesting that you can't use the word "action" when referring to a double bass? Or just that "action" equals more than string height? In any case, using the term to describe the string height (by your definition) is not incorrect, but simply incomplete. And when mchildree referred to "playability/set-up", I'm sure he was talking about "action" rather than just string height anyway. In any case, this seems like a silly thing to argue about.

Marcus Johnson · #13 03-20-2005, 12:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ispider6

Are you suggesting that you can't use the word "action" when referring to a double bass? Or just that "action" equals more than string height? In any case, using the term to describe the string height (by your definition) is not incorrect, but simply incomplete. And when mchildree referred to "playability/set-up", I'm sure he was talking about "action" rather than just string height anyway. In any case, this seems like a silly thing to argue about.

Use any term you like for string height, but if you drive Arnold into an insane asylum and out of the luthiery biz, you'll have a whole bunch of angry New Standard owners all up in yer a$$.

mchildree · #14 03-20-2005, 04:50 AM

Actually, when I think "action" on my DB, I'm thinking a combination of these things:

string height
curvature of the bridge/strings (I only play pizz)
neck angle (for nice feel down in thumb position)
string tension
consistent response

...and sometimes...those looks the Wife is giving me up on the bandstand

So, looking back on all those terms, would SETUP be more appropriate? This would seem to give all the credit to the person who setup the bass and not as much to the bass and builder. Of course, in my case, those are all the same guy.

Jeff Michael · #15 03-20-2005, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marcus Johnson

I like "gooshiness", i.e., "them strings is sufferin' from an excess of gooshiness".

I usually go with "bunge", myself.

While we're on the topic, I guess "scale length" too vividly evokes the image of horizontal metal strips, hence we stick with 'mensure'.

JAM
(who secretly enjoys the small terminology differences between URB and EBG as part of the fun)

arnoldschnitzer · #16 03-20-2005, 08:31 AM

For referring to string height specifically, I suggest use of the term "string height".
ispider6 mentioned this was a silly thing to argue over. Someone has to create some friction here now that Branstetter has signed off...

Martin Sheridan · #17 03-20-2005, 09:58 AM

I hear the term "action" so often that I use it sometimes myself.
We are, I believe, referring to "Playability".

KSB - Ken Smith · #18 03-20-2005, 11:27 AM

I agree that action is most often used with fretted instruments. It is not the fingerboard alone that makes the action. It also includes neck bow, bridge height, neck stiffness as the string is vibrating and the strings used on the Bass.

With the Double Bass, you have all the same with the exception of the Frets. Action IS Playability. I know it has a 'laymans' ring to it But it does describe how the instrument plays. I believe it is used on Pianos and Saxes as well if not most instruments we know of.

anonymous0726 · #19 03-20-2005, 11:43 AM

'Action' doesn't doesn't bother me at all. I do love to watch A.S. have a stroke (and offer no other term) when the word crops up. I think that I use it to describe (in general) how high the strings are. For example, "It feels pretty loose and easy, even with the action up that high."

Now -- come to think of it, maybe action is shortened from 'String Action'? In other words, how far the string must be 'actuated' to stop it for pitch? A quick dictionary lookup makes me think that this word (action) might be approriate, if a little pedestrian for A.S.

Also, string length is fine with me. 'Mensure' sounds like a fit that women are wont to throw during The Change.

nicklloyd · #20 03-20-2005, 01:35 PM

There is a He-man luthier's club? Is there a she-man luthier's club, as well? Get some action from them, why doncha'.