Setting up Action - Why the differences in opinion?

Ron Mollinga · #1 08-20-2006, 10:27 PM

When it comes to setting up a bass, I find everything easy except the action. I tend to like low action but I've read so often that each string's height should always be the same distance from the 12th fret and therefore it follows the neck's radius. However, at the same time I've heard from various bass guitar technicians that the low E's action should be higher than the G's. For instance, if one likes their action set to 3/32 at the E, then the G will be around 2/32. Which is right? And how does one go about figuring out each string's height from the 12 fret? So many varying opinions have me confused. Any insight?

seanm · #2 08-20-2006, 11:09 PM

Nobody is right, whatever works for you is right.

I made a radius guage made from cardboard to match the fretboard. Then I set the E and G strings. I find that setting the G string a bit lower than the E works for me. The E just needs more breathing room. I then set the A and D strings using the radius guage.

PilbaraBass · #3 08-20-2006, 11:41 PM

numerical representations for setting actions are good for conveying information to other players, guitar techs and luthiers. But for personal setups, it's best to just go by feel.

I lower the strings until they're comfortable and then tweak each one until I get a good balance between feel and lack of buzz...I repeat this for each string, making sure to adjust intonation after each adjustment...

after several iterations...I've managed to get quite good action this way on all of my basses (typically about 3/32 or 2.5mm on the E-string...again here's the numbers thing again)...

it's all about feel, so set it where you like it...

trialeformurder · #4 08-21-2006, 03:32 AM

I don't know what action exactly means... is it the height the strings are away from the fret board or the actual fret...??? im ignorant but i want to learn...

lug · #5 08-21-2006, 08:21 AM

When the E string oscillates, it travels a lot more (larger physical vibration path) than a G string, so it has to have more clearance. So if you want each string to be as low as it can go, the E string will have to be higher off the fretboard.

seanm · #6 08-21-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trialeformurder

I don't know what action exactly means... is it the height the strings are away from the fret board or the actual fret...??? im ignorant but i want to learn...

I measure to the top of the fret. This compensates for different fret heights.

Quote:

Originally Posted by PilbaraBass

numerical representations for setting actions are good for conveying information to other players, guitar techs and luthiers. But for personal setups, it's best to just go by feel.

Very true. I only use the measurements when I get a new bass and do the initial setup. I then set by feel.

Or when I want to reset the action. I sometimes try playing for a while with a high or low action. I then reset back to a medium action to see which I like better.

Ron Mollinga · #7 08-21-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trialeformurder

I don't know what action exactly means... is it the height the strings are away from the fret board or the actual fret...??? im ignorant but i want to learn...

I don't know if your question was answered or not but in case it wasn't, action is the height of the strings off the frets. When setting your action many measure from the 12th fret and use their eye or a ruler to measure the distance the strings are away from that fret. However, it can be done in many ways. That's why I was asking about setting up one's bass - is there a better way of doing it? However, it seems that it's whatever works for you.

There is no right height to set up strings. It often depends on what style(s) of music you're playing. Some like to really "dig" into their bass and therefore need higher action otherwise they will get a lot of buzzing when they play their notes. At the same time, others can get away with lower action because they're playing in a style that allows them to pluck their strings with less intensity. I have heard arguments both ways as to what type of action is best. It's all a matter of what works for you. The one thing that is important is to try to avoid lots of string buzzing - studio producers will pull their hair out if you have lots of buzzing when recording.

Hope this helps.

Petary791 · #8 08-21-2006, 11:57 AM

I set my action up however I want it, really. No radius at all. I put it as low as it can go without me getting insane clicking or dead notes. IIRC, the action on both my basses are like stairs starting from the Low B going down.

pkr2 · #9 08-21-2006, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron Mollinga

I don't know if your question was answered or not but in case it wasn't, action is the height of the strings off the frets. When setting your action many measure from the 12th fret and use their eye or a ruler to measure the distance the strings are away from that fret. However, it can be done in many ways. That's why I was asking about setting up one's bass - is there a better way of doing it? However, it seems that it's whatever works for you.

There is no right height to set up strings. It often depends on what style(s) of music you're playing. Some like to really "dig" into their bass and therefore need higher action otherwise they will get a lot of buzzing when they play their notes. At the same time, others can get away with lower action because they're playing in a style that allows them to pluck their strings with less intensity. I have heard arguments both ways as to what type of action is best. It's all a matter of what works for you. The one thing that is important is to try to avoid lots of string buzzing - studio producers will pull their hair out if you have lots of buzzing when recording.

Hope this helps.

Same way here.