Impact of action

[schmig]

Hi,

I've been playing a precision with low action (which I always thought would make playing much easier) lately. Took out my jazz bass for once on Saturday, which has significantly higher action after a setup some months back.

Found while playing the higher action jazz that many rhythmic phrases that I often *attempt* - but never quite pull off - on the precision were doable on the jazz. I think it was easier to "bounce" through the strings.

Any thought?

[staindbass]

odd huh ? you figure the lower action would be easier.i have noticed the same thing. i think since the finger touches the string earlier(since its higher) your brain can start the next note faster because it knows the the one you fretted first was correctly delivered. make any sense? lol. i can hear the difference of string height. low action mutes the low end, but gives a nicer high end because the strings clack beautifully on the frets. i used to use a 5mm space between my b string and the 12th fret. the big space gives more sustain because the strings get muted on the frets as mentioned above. johnny a. staind

[loinmute]

Preference. I like mine really low.

[john grey]

Your discussion made me want to try this experiment. However there are some variables that are tough to match. To be a good experiment the distance of BOTH action height and string spacing would need be accounted for. {Same instrument comparison}
A Jazz neck is thinner than a P neck (at the nut-end anyway) - neck design could have a big impact? Finally, the musical change itself is a variable in that moving from a muted note or a depressed note to a pull off would different than a longer (distanced stretched) simple note change. The variables would need to be accounted for.

[Jazz Ad]

I sound like crap with low action so I set it higher. I never went much further in my reflexion.

[darkstorm]

When you develope lighter fretting nuances you should experience the opposite result. easier to be precise and nimble with low action rathern then high. But also keep in mind that the slimmer jazz neck also facilitates playing ease for most. So if you lowered its action you might find it still plays as easilly to you if your fretting stuff isnt heavy handed. often peeps will tend to overpress their fretting fingers after the fretting is finished in which case higher action is sometimes used for better playing for that person. Imo

[jmattbassplaya]

The slightly tighter string spacing might be what's making it easier.

[maturanesa]

Originally Posted by staindbass

odd huh ? you figure the lower action would be easier.i have noticed the same thing. i think since the finger touches the string earlier(since its higher) your brain can start the next note faster because it knows the the one you fretted first was correctly delivered. make any sense? lol. i can hear the difference of string height. low action mutes the low end, but gives a nicer high end because the strings clack beautifully on the frets. i used to use a 5mm space between my b string and the 12th fret. the big space gives more sustain because the strings get muted on the frets as mentioned above. johnny a. staind

if you dont get the note choked or excesive fret rattle, the string is vibrating free... You dont need to rise at 5 mm. I have my E at 2.8 mm on the 12 fret and the string have the same sustain as placed at any longer distance

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by schmig

Hi,

I've been playing a precision with low action (which I always thought would make playing much easier) lately. Took out my jazz bass for once on Saturday, which has significantly higher action after a setup some months back.

Found while playing the higher action jazz that many rhythmic phrases that I often *attempt* - but never quite pull off - on the precision were doable on the jazz. I think it was easier to "bounce" through the strings.

Any thought?

Neat how that works, eh? You've stumbled across the best combination for your playing style. Sidenote: I find that my L & R hand muting suffers when dealing with super-low action. You pretty much nailed it with "bounce".

Riis