Setup geeks: what is considered "high action" that won't effect intonation?

MammaryVest · #1 04-09-2010, 05:39 PM

If I want my action up high, how high (in mm) can it go without significantly messing with my intonation?

The modifier · #2 04-09-2010, 05:46 PM

The highest ive ever had my action was 2.5 mm at the 20th fret and had no problems with intonation, I never tried going higher than that as I soon discovered im a low action kind of guy and I now keep the action on all of my basses at 1mm to 1.5mm at the 20th fret.

JustDavid · #3 04-09-2010, 06:09 PM

Until you run out of adjustment range for intonation, unless you want to move the bridge.

MammaryVest · #4 04-10-2010, 12:20 AM

That is a good point. It is possible however that the string could be so high that just the act of fretting it will pull it out of tune no matter where the intonation is set.

mongo2 · #5 04-10-2010, 05:20 AM

I'd raise it until it gets so high that it messes with the intonation, stop and then lower it until it no longer messes with the intonation. I'd use where it no longer messes with the intonation as the maximum height for that set of strings.

JustDavid · #6 04-10-2010, 01:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MammaryVest

That is a good point. It is possible however that the string could be so high that just the act of fretting it will pull it out of tune no matter where the intonation is set.

Isn't that what we adjust intonation to fix?