High Action Club

[Stickk]

For all of your TB'ers that like your strings sky-high! Post and I'll assign you a number. I'm # Pi, so there's still room for #1. Personally I've always loved high action because I started out playing double bass (still do).

Stickk - Pi (founder)
Phalex - 2
Sundogue - 137.5

[Phalex]

What constitutes high? Is there a figure we have to meet to qualify? I like a bass with thick stiff strings that don't just lay on the top of the frets. The guys around here that like to slap, hate to sit in on my bass. In their defense, I hate their set ups too, with their flat necks, uber low action and skinny little strings.

So, I don't know if I qualify as a high action guy, but I certainly am not a low action guy.

Do I qualify for a number, or do you require more clarification?

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by Phalex

What constitutes high? Is there a figure we have to meet to qualify? I like a bass with thick stiff strings that don't just lay on the top of the frets. The guys around here that like to slap, hate to sit in on my bass. In their defense, I hate their set ups too, with their flat necks, uber low action and skinny little strings.

So, I don't know if I qualify as a high action guy, but I certainly am not a low action guy.

Do I qualify for a number, or do you require more clarification?

Sure, why not. What number do you want?

[Sundogue]

I don't like the strings so high off the neck that I could fit another bass neck under the strings, but I don't like them lying right on the neck either.

I play way too heavy to have extreme low action.

But yeah...how high is high? I probably have a gap of 1/8"-3/16" or more between the fret and the strings at the 12th fret.

[allexcosta]

You have high-action when all your friends complain about it.
This should be on "technique" shouldn't it?

[Phalex]

Originally Posted by Stickk

Sure, why not. What number do you want?

I'll take #2 for the obvious reasons........

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by allexcosta

You have high-action when all your friends complain about it.
This should be on "technique" shouldn't it?

Probably more fitting in Setup and Repair? Or...since it's the "High Action Club" perhaps Off Topic?

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

I don't like the strings so high off the neck that I could fit another bass neck under the strings, but I don't like them lying right on the neck either.

I play way too heavy to have extreme low action.

But yeah...how high is high? I probably have a gap of 1/8"-3/16" or more between the fret and the strings at the 12th fret.

Sure, you can join, what number do you want? Personally I can almost stick my fingers in between the fretboard and the strings on my basses.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by Stickk

Sure, you can join, what number do you want? Personally I can almost stick my fingers in between the fretboard and the strings on my basses.

I want No. 137.5

I had a bass like that once. I got rid of it because no amount of truss rod adjustment helped.

Personally I don't mind even really high action...though mine is usually lower. I don't know how anybody plays with strings lying right on the neck. I don't even play guitars with action that low.

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by Sundogue

I want No. 137.5

You are now officially # 137.5.

[Sundogue]

Originally Posted by Stickk

You are now officially # 137.5.

Cool. It will make me look like I was late to the party.

[ashtray9]

Yes, I would imagine some minimum measurement is needed to join?

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by ashtray9

Yes, I would imagine some minimum measurement is needed to join?

What's your measurement?

[eedo]

I had setups varying from 1/12" to around 3/16" and played successfully, but 1/8 seems to be the most comfy action (since I don't slap and like to dig in)
I also prefer stiff strings
Do I qualify?

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by eedo

I had setups varying from 1/12" to around 3/16" and played successfully, but 1/8 seems to be the most comfy action (since I don't slap and like to dig in)
I also prefer stiff strings
Do I qualify?

Sure, why not! What number do you want?

[seanm]

Originally Posted by Stickk

Sure, you can join, what number do you want? Personally I can almost stick my fingers in between the fretboard and the strings on my basses.

Yikes, that would count as high I keep mine medium, so I can't belong to the club

If you follow the guidelines laid out at Fender you will get a good medium action. I would argue you need at least 1/8" action for it to be considered high.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by eedo

I had setups varying from 1/12"

You have a ruler that measures in 12ths? Is it used for some special purpose? I am just curious. Most rulers that I have seen use powers of two.

[greenboy]

I suppose anyone who appreciates the Plek probably doesn't qualify ; } ...it's nice if one has high action because they choose, rather than it keeps the bass from making bad noises in some areas of the neck.

[Stickk]

Originally Posted by seanm

You have a ruler that measures in 12ths? Is it used for some special purpose? I am just curious. Most rulers that I have seen use powers of two.

My guess would be one of those 6-sided metric rulers, they have TONS of measurements.

[eedo]

As for measuring - I just converted millimetres into inches (I'm from Europe)
As for Plek - In my experience one can have unpleasant sound while playing rounds even with high action as rounds tend not to forgive poor fretwork (and especially problems with nut slots).
As for number - I take #13