Adjusting string height/what is too high?

[Adrian Cho]

I'm an upright player who recently started on EBG. I got myself a Fender Classic '50s P-bass and currently have D'Addario Chromes on it although I would like to get bigger gauge strings that are more like the guts on my upright. My aim is to get a Motown kind of sound.

I play with reasonably high action on my upright and would like to have a similar setup on my EBG both for the feel and also for the sound. I currently the action at about 6 mm on each string (measured at the end of the fretboard). I'd like to go a little higher but I'm not sure how far I can push it. I think I hit the limit on the D string.

I should add that I'm getting a fair bit of buzzing on the G string especially. Part of this may be my technique - I am guessing I need to be a little more delicate.

Will the adjuster screws hit a limit or is it possible to screw them right out the other side of the little doohickey that supports the string?

On my upright the strings range from 7 mm for the G to 10 mm on the E. That's actually not that high for double bass but I am interested to know what constitutes high action on EBG?

[wiro]

Originally Posted by Adrian Cho

On my upright the strings range from 7 mm for the G to 10 mm on the E. That's actually not that high for double bass but I am interested to know what constitutes high action on EBG?

Hi Adrian,

You're talking a completely different instrument here. Anything above 3 mm. or 0.12" is high action in BG-world.

Please be kind to your delicate shelf.......

The other way around:
Yesterday I put a set of TI Belcanto's on my upright and wow, what a rubbery flexability there and a huge sound comes out of them. Now I can start to learn the BG-touch on my upright. I know, some hate it and like to do hard labour. For me the gentle approach delivers the best fruits.
But that's personal I guess.

[202dy]

Most bass guitar players are happy with a string height of 6/64" (~2.4mm) and 5/64" (2mm) bass and treble respectively measured at the twelfth fret. The measurement is from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string. 8/64" (3mm) certainly is not unusual, but is the kind of string height that causes most players to bring their instruments in for a set up in the first place. Thirty years ago it was not unusual to see a set up like this, especially from someone who is doubling on upright. For most upright players this seems to be a comfortable height. If you like it higher try it. 10/64" (4mm) is probably as high as you'll want to take it.

BTW, the adjustment screws are in the saddle. You can raise them up as high as you like. But if you need them ridiculously high a quick trip to the hardware store will net you some longer height adjustment screws.

[Adrian Cho]

If the standard way of measuring is from the top of the fret rather than the top of the fretboard, then we can subtract 1 or 2 mm from my numbers. I think I can live with the height I have them at now but there's definitely no way I could play with them down at 2 mm. Good point about just putting in longer screws.

[Adrian Cho]

Originally Posted by wiro

You're talking a completely different instrument here. Anything above 3 mm. or 0.12" is high action in BG-world.

Yes I realise we're talking about different beasts here which is why I'm asking. I read for example about the action that Jamerson had on his bass - apparently so high that a lot of people couldn't play it. I wonder how high that was and what's typical for people that double or those that are into recreating the Jamerson sound (and experience).

For me, being able to dig in is a critical part of the playing experience. On upright at least, it lets me articulate in ways I never could with the strings down low. My experience so far is that EBG responds in the same way although to a lesser degree.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by Adrian Cho

If the standard way of measuring is from the top of the fret rather than the top of the fretboard, then we can subtract 1 or 2 mm from my numbers. I think I can live with the height I have them at now but there's definitely no way I could play with them down at 2 mm. Good point about just putting in longer screws.

The top of the fret is the de facto playing surface on a fretted instrument. However, when evaluating a neck for fretwork, it is important to consider the fingerboard. More than once the use of a notched straight edge has found humps and dips in the 'board which turned a fret dress into a partial or total refret. Otherwise, it is all about the frets.

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by Adrian Cho

For me, being able to dig in is a critical part of the playing experience. On upright at least, it lets me articulate in ways I never could with the strings down low. My experience so far is that EBG responds in the same way although to a lesser degree.

But the EBG is a different instrument. If you dig in really hard you could well be producing string excursions beyond what the pickup is designed to deal with. So rather than getting more tone you will likely just get clipping and distortion. Fine if you like that kind of thing, but many EBG players will tell you that you get the best tone with a light touch.