How Should I Set My P Bass Up?

[maydecember]

Alright, im looking for some insight here.

im a pick player, and i tend to strum the bass, almost like its a guitar.

now, how should i set up the action so that it doesnt rattle so much? should it be set high?

i know this next question goes agaisnt that, but whats the best way to get low action, with no buzz?

[maydecember]

should i try straightening the neck almost completely?

[maydecember]

I know how to measure it on a guitar, is it the same for a bass? (capo, last fret, measure at 8th fret).

how much relief do you think it should have? remember, im trying to get the lowest setup.

[Foamy]

Originally Posted by Joshua

I would capo the first fret and fret where the neck meets the body (@ the 17th fret), and measure at whatever the midpoint fret is.

Relief is a personal call. If you want to go for lowest possible, I would set the relief so there is just a hair (ie the smallest amount you can set and still have some). From there, if it is too buzzy for you, you can always add a hair at a time until it's perfect.

Some people here recommended a relief setting that I find perfect. It should hold 2 business cards, but not one. That seems to work out for me on my Jazzs and my P.

[SGT. Pepper]

Pick playing, use heavy guage strings with medium to medium/medium low action. Especially if you are agressive and heavy handed.

[bgavin]

I use my business cards for gauges all the time. It works well, does not damage a finish, and is very repeatable.