Action too high.

[dhuff8870]

Hi everyone. Here's my problem. I purchased a used MIM P in which the previous owner replaced the stock bridge with a Gotoh 201. The problem is that the new bridge must sit higher than the stock bridge and, as a result, I can't get my low E string as low on the neck as the other stings. The high action results in difficulty tuning and the string never sounds 'in tune' to me. I went with a light gauge and that helped, but the problem is still there. My question is: Would a tapered string or some other type of string(I've only used round wound on it) help with this problem? I'm looking for a fix that doesn't need any guitar modification. I play '80's music finger style, no pick, nothing heavy, and I do tune down to D on a song or two. Thanks for your help.

[mpdd]

shim the neck, easy peasy

[funnyfingers]

But action should have nothing to do with the E string not being able to tune. You'd adjust the intonation for that. Also just curious of the actual height measurements at the 12th fret.

[Jazz Ad]

There is logic in the madness of instrument setup.
trussrod, action (with shimming if required), intonation, pickups. In this order.
Obviously the bass needs it.

[Stone Soup]

The out of tune string isn't because of the action. It's because the intonation isn't set properly. That's a different issue than the action being too high for you. Shim the neck or get a stock bridge to replace the Gotoh, to fix the action issue.

[dhuff8870]

The intonation is good. The problem is only on the E string because the string's diameter is too large for the groove on the bridge. The other strings fit into the groove and I can adjust their height. The E string is adjusted as low as it goes but it's still much higher than the other strings. I took it into to get setup and the tech messed with it, checked the tuning with a strobe and said he would set it up if I wanted, but he thought it sounded ok. No one else really notices the sound but me. I thought maybe a tapered string would fit into the groove and allow me to better adjust the string height.

[dhuff8870]

It does tune, and once I get it in tune, it sounds pretty good but it's hard to tune. The tuner really jumps around when I'm tuning it.

[dhuff8870]

I don't have a height for the E string but I can tell you it's a lot higher than the other strings. And when compared to my other basses, it's noticeably higher. As I understand it, high action can make it sound 'off' because the string is longer than it should be.

[funnyfingers]

The OP said that the bridge sat higher. Now you say the string doesn't go in the saddle correctly. Just wanted to point that out in case it makes anyone think twice about the shim recommendation...

[funnyfingers]

Originally Posted by dhuff8870

It does tune, and once I get it in tune, it sounds pretty good but it's hard to tune. The tuner really jumps around when I'm tuning it.

This might not be related. This could just be the strings brightness. Try tuning at the 12th fret harmonic to see if it is more steady.

[dhuff8870]

Does anyone think a tapered string would help?

[dhuff8870]

Originally Posted by funnyfingers

The OP said that the bridge sat higher. Now you say the string doesn't go in the saddle correctly. Just wanted to point that out in case it makes anyone think twice about the shim recommendation...

It goes into the saddle the same as the others. All the grooves are the same width. That's why I believe the bridge sits higher than the stock, but I don't know that for sue.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by dhuff8870

I don't have a height for the E string but I can tell you it's a lot higher than the other strings. And when compared to my other basses, it's noticeably higher. As I understand it, high action can make it sound 'off' because the string is longer than it should be.

Not bloody likely.

Anyway yes a tapered string will help but I'd be surprised if it helps enough.
The solution is a shim, easy. Ten minute job, and it's free.

[funnyfingers]

I would imagine tapered would defiitely put your strings lower especially since they don't fit in the saddle.

[dmusic148]

Originally Posted by funnyfingers

I would imagine tapered would defiitely put your strings lower especially since they don't fit in the saddle.

It's pretty uncommon for the saddle grooves to be narrow enough for that to happen.

[dhuff8870]

Thanks everyone!

[dhuff8870]

Originally Posted by dmusic148

It's pretty uncommon for the saddle grooves to be narrow enough for that to happen.

When I switched to a lighter gauged string, it helped a little and made the out of tune sound less noticeable.

[funnyfingers]

What gauge are you using anyway? You said lighter, but that doesn't mean they aren't much heavier than "normal" I guess.

[thebassbuilder]

I think shimming is the best idea for lower action along with taking a file and widnening the saddle when the string sits. Using a taper wound string would also help but like others said may not be enough.

[Immigrant]

Originally Posted by dhuff8870

When I switched to a lighter gauged string, it helped a little and made the out of tune sound less noticeable.

Help me understand please! The bottom of a lighter gauge string is the same height off the fretboard as a larger gauge string, unless the groove in the saddle is so narrow that .005 actually makes a difference.

It sounds like the previously given advice concerning needing a setup (completely) and possibly a shim is spot on. If you do a complete setup and the E is still high, make sure your neck doesn't have a slight twist (although most necks twist onthe opposite direction if they DO twist at all); I had setup issues with a P recently and shimmed it and it played unbelievably well after.

Good luck!