String height?

[thesneakyjesus]

Hi Lynn,
I was wondering what string height you have on your instrument. Also, what is the history behind your Juzek? Is it a loud bass? You're tone live is so excellent and natural, and I've been having a struggle getting the same tone out of my bass with as light of a touch as you have.

[Lynn Seaton]

Thank you for the compliment about my tone. My string heights are on average G to E, 7, 8, 9, 10 mm. I use Corelli Tungsten Forte. I amplify with a Shure Beta microphone whenever possible through an amp and/or the PA that amplifies everyone else. (see other discussions in this forum) and when using a pickup, a David Gage Realist. I got the Juzeck in the late 70's in Oklahoma. It has a very even sound. Regarding my touch, I try to play the whole dynamic range depending on what the music needs. Sometimes I pull really hard and sometimes caress the bass. The classic one finger pull used by many great bassists in the history of jazz produces a great sound at all dynamic ranges. I also use two fingers for speed. I hope that helped.

[Martin Sheridan]

As a maker and player let me add a comment on this question.

Besides string height at the end of the fingerboard players need to be aware of the string height coming off the nut and the curvature of the fingerboard. These are two more essentials for playing easily without damaging ones hands and getting the best tone. String height off the nut should be about a third of the diamater of the string right in front of the nut, and I would say with the D and G it can be somewhat more than this but not more than the diameter of the string for easy playing.

The curvature is important not only to prevent buzzing but for tone and general playability. Too much curve means that your left hand is going to have to press further for the string to reach the fingerboard and if it's way too much the left hand and wrist can be damaged. Repairers use a long straight edge to check this when the strings are down, but you can get a good idea of how much curve there is by pushing the string down to the fingerboard at the end of the board nearest the bridge and looking at the space left between the string and the board. I can't say that in every situation for every player there is just one correct answer, but if you are seeing more distance than the diameter of the string it's probably too much and you're having to work to hard.

all best,