Played with too high action for a couple years, getting used to low action again?

[gotly]

I just switched from an Ibanez SR 500 with very high action to a Spector Euro 4LX with very very low action. I immediately noticed an improvement in the playability of the Spector over the Ibanez. The problem is, after having the freedom to basically treat my Ibanez as a bow and arrow, I'm playing the Spector too hard and causing fret buzz.

From Spector's website:

***Optimum Relief / action settings are really determined the player's technique - if you have an aggressive picking / plucking technique you will need more relief / higher action. A player with a very light touch can have a neck that is almost straight & buzz free action that is very low.

I'd rather get my technique back to "normal" than just assume I have an "aggressive" technique.

Check neck relief by depressing the low E string @ the 2nd & last fret . Observe the space between the bottom of the string & the top of the 9th fret, A standard weight business card or a thin guitar pick is a good amount of relief to start with for a bass guitar.

I can fit a standard business card between the 9th fret but I can pin it there when holding the 2nd and last fret. Should it be able to slide in and out freely? I'm considering taking it to a Luthier to get it set up even though it's set up pretty well for someone with a lighter touch.

[Flatwound Funk]

After you get your bass back from the luthier I would suggest that you just sit down and play your bass but really focus on playing without causing any fretbuzz and after you do this a couple of times you will get used to the low action just like you are used to the high action now

[puddin tame]

having to restrain your playing to avoid fret buzz sounds, well, retarded. to me, that is.

you should get the sound you want and the bass should adjust to you. even if you have a light touch most of the time, who is to say when you will want a heavy attack for tone purposes?

what I do is dig in as hard as I can and raise the action just until the fret buzz stops. if it's a half decent bass it will not be that high

[Jake Morris]

Ever since I started playing bass I always had very high action due to poor setups. Once my bass teacher let me try his bass out and the action was amazing and my technique did improve... drastically. I do exactly as Flatwound Funk does by keeping the action as low as possible, right before it starts buzzing. There is nothing I hate more than buzzing on any part of the bass (or piece of gear for that matter).

All in all, I got used to low action instantly and could not go back.

[DougD]

I like my action ultra low. I had to adjust my playing style to "let the amp do most of the work" Digging in is a hard habit to break and I sometimes catch myself doing it when I can't hear myself properly. So turn the amp up and use your fingers to control the volume. But if you must play aggressively, then try a medium action.

[nysbob]

I like digging in. and don't consider it a habit...just the way I enjoy playing a bass. Low action is great if you love it, but it isn't for everybody.

[DougD]

Originally Posted by nysbob

I like digging in. and don't consider it a habit...just the way I enjoy playing a bass. Low action is great if you love it, but it isn't for everybody.

It is if you are trying to adjust to low action as the OP stated. I love low action, and if it is set right you can dig in, just not as hard as you may like too. I don't mind a bit of buzz when I dig in because it adds to the flavor of what I'm trying to do (sometimes) To each his/her own. Some like it low, some like it high. There's no right or wrong, just personal preference.