I want to lower my action some but im CLUELESS

[Ryall]

My action seems pretty high IMO. I've been playing for 8 months but I haven't really played on other basses enough to know what a low or high action feels like.

I want to lower mine if it actually is as high as it feels (especially as I move further up the neck)...Could I measure it maybe?

If it is high, can anyone point me in the right direction of a good article/guide to modifying whatever I need to lower it?

If it helps, I have a Tradition 4 string.

[fenderhutz]

Take it to a shop. It may cost you 25-35 bucks but have the person show you what to do while they make an adjustment.

You have to take into account if the neck has any kind of relief or not. You might just have to lower your saddles but if you don't know what to look for you can make your bass VERY unplayable VERY quickly.

[Bassamatic]

Most basses right out of the store have fairly high action, as there is not enough time in mass production to set it correctly. This is true even on $1200 instruments. It is really worth it to have it done for you at least the first time so you can see how it should be.

You should barely need to touch the strings to the frets to play, and it should not buzz. By the 12th fret you only need about 1/4" or less of clearance, unless you play REALLY hard.

There are 3 types of adjustments -
1. The saddles on your bridge - these set the basic height of the strings, and are adjusted with a small Allen wrench.
2. Relief - the neck must have a very slight curve to it so the strings have room to vibrate. It can have too much, too little or none. This is set by adjusting the truss rod for the neck.
3. Neck Tilt - Sometimes it is necessary to actually tilt the neck to get the best playability - Some necks have an adjustment for this, or they will need to have a shim installed.
PLUS there may be high frets that have to be levelled.

This is why it is worth it to get a professional setup at least once so you have a point of reference. It is worth every penny.