Re-tweaked my action today...can basses "improve" over time?

[PilbaraBass]

I was going over my inexpensive Yamaha RBX170 today...I had the action set at what I would consider "medium"...because, I had a slight issue with some buzz...

but tonight, I went over it again (hadn't really touched it in months), and I was surprised at how low I managed to get it and it still be buzz free.

Now tell me, is my touch just getting lighter or can my bass actually get better with time?

I've always been more than satisfied with this bass, but now...wow!...it really does play super sweet! Best $150 (AU) I ever spent, for sure!

EDIT:

for the record, I've been using the same type of strings on it D'addario XL-170's since I got it 2 years ago.

[SGT. Pepper]

Sometimes they just seem to have a personality of their own.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by Joshua

We can't tell you if your touch is getting lighter, but I a huge proponent of cranking the amp and playing lightly.

That said, not much should change about a setup should change on it's own if all is working correctly. Relief can though, which could mean you set it at a point that is "good" and walk away for a couple hrs, and it could settle just enough to become "great".

Maybe?

As far as relief...it's always been (since I first adjusted it, anyway) very good on this bass (about the 2/3 width of a business card).

Because, of the "touch" factor...when setting action, there are two things I always do:

1) I always set the action to "feel" (as low as I can get it, while avoiding buzz issues)

2. I always set the action acoustically with no amp plugged in. So that I can be consistant with my touch.

When setting up, I play in such a way to produce quality sound without depending upon the amp. This way, my touch is about as heavy as when I "go for it" on stage.

My bass is tuned standard EADG using D'addario XL170s. All the strings are as low as I'd ever want at the moment (based on my current playing style), except for the E, which is just a "smidge" higher than ultimate, due to one slightly high 10th fret (9th and 11th fret are fine).

Man this thing plays nice!

My touch MUST have relaxed a bit over the last couple of years. Or maybe, I'm just getting better at optimising my setups for my playing (less "safety" factor).

I've been messing around lately with a newly aquired 2002 model Yamaha Pacifica 112 electric guitar (another great inexpensive Yamaha product, BTW). Maybe from messing with the guitar, my touch has become lighter.

At any rate, it's interesting.

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by Joshua

In the inexpensive range, Yamaha is tops in my book.

I'm not sure whether the model has changed a lot, but I sold a boatload of RBX 170s at the store where I worked. We primarily sold Yamahas, and between the electric basses and guitars, and nylon and steel string acoustics, there simply wasn't a dog in the line.

In any event, good to hear that it's playing well. Rawk!

Played my Yammy at church Sunday night, for the first time, since I tweaked it...

Oh man...I just love it...I just let my left hand float around the fretboard. It was just effortless...

[Basshole]

Any one else like little or no relief? Or is it just me?

[BassGod]

Originally Posted by Basshole

Any one else like little or no relief? Or is it just me?

Yeah, I can only get a piece of paper under my strings with the first and seventeenth frets depressed. I've always thought I was doing something wrong, but it works for me. There's quite a bit of buzz, but very little of that actually comes through the amp.

Graeme

[PilbaraBass]

Originally Posted by BassGod

Yeah, I can only get a piece of paper under my strings with the first and seventeenth frets depressed. I've always thought I was doing something wrong, but it works for me. There's quite a bit of buzz, but very little of that actually comes through the amp.

Graeme

often the buzz you hear on something like that is the buzzing on the nut side of the string...this won't be picked up in a magnetic pickup at all...