Practise with high action bass and gig with the low action one?

BrandonBass · #1 01-23-2011, 09:14 AM

I ever knew this dude who claims that practising with a high action bass helps him fly on the low action one, and hes not a bad bassist at all...

But no matter how I look at it, it doesnt make much sense. ur take?

jsingles · #2 01-23-2011, 09:17 AM

I dont think it makes you better, because you aren't training your muscle memory to know the fast one.

It just makes it so that when you pick up the better bass, you appreciate how much better it is, because your hand has gotten used to the crappy one, and the difference becomes more apparent.

It's like if you ate fast food for three weeks, then had a home cooked steak dinner, it would be the best steak you've ever had.

BrandonBass · #3 01-23-2011, 09:22 AM

i personally set my action as low as possible without fret buzz(unamplified), and I have to say I feel technically inept when I pick up a bass with high action at GC. Fellow action players, u guys feel the same?

Fuzzbass · #4 01-23-2011, 09:24 AM

I can see where your friend is coming from: if you rotate a number of different basses, it would make sense to spend the most time with the one that's most difficult to play. In fact when I rehearse at home I tend to use the bass with the chunkiest neck. That said, others prefer to rehearse on the same bass they gig with. This might make more sense if you have a number one bass, and play songs that push your chops to the limit.

The bottom line: as usual there's no right or wrong, just personal preference.

oldcatfish · #5 01-23-2011, 03:53 PM

I think Fuzzbass nailed it. I have 3 different basses that I rotate, and I have a much easier time when I switch from a higher action to a lower one, than the other way around. Although, I may not be a fair comparison...because my lowest action bass is a 5 string, while my other two are 4 strings. Also, there isn't a huge difference in the action on any of my basses, it's just a slight, but noticeable difference.

Stingray89 · #6 01-23-2011, 04:01 PM

My first squier p bass had a very high action and at the time I was very naive and didn't know the difference and just stuck with it. After actually learning more and playing different basses I realized how high the action was on mine, but I kept on playing it with the high action to build up my finger strength. Now all of my 3 basses have low action.

Chrisk-K · #7 01-23-2011, 04:08 PM

When asked whether bass playing would improve guitar playing because of the bass's longer scale, higher action and thicker strings, EVH simply said, "Nah".

Practicing with high action should help if one doesn't have decent strength in his hands. Other than that, I don't see how it helps the player in other areas.

Skitch it! · #8 01-23-2011, 04:21 PM

My way is, a bass set up with .45 on the G set, and my normal basses are .40 on the G set, same action on both, maybe the heavier set slightly higher. Terry Gregory (Martin Taylor bassist at the time) was doing the same, he clued me into it.

M.R. Ogle · #9 01-23-2011, 04:56 PM

I don't think it's a good idea.

It's about muscle-memory / dexterity building. NOT strength. You might enjoy the contrast, but if you spent that time playing the lower set-up bass, you'd develop your better technique quicker.

It's about minimizing your hand movements, mot maximizing them.

oldbassplayergu · #10 01-23-2011, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldcatfish

I think Fuzzbass nailed it. I have 3 different basses that I rotate, and I have a much easier time when I switch from a higher action to a lower one, than the other way around. Although, I may not be a fair comparison...because my lowest action bass is a 5 string, while my other two are 4 strings. Also, there isn't a huge difference in the action on any of my basses, it's just a slight, but noticeable difference.

I think he's right. I do the same thing and I feel the difference on gig day.

djero44 · #11 01-23-2011, 06:02 PM

Yeah, I would say it might make your hands stronger to play the higher action bass, but i'm with M.R. Ogle now, it's not about that. Especially since i've had hand issues and realized that I need to play with economy or mess myself up.

So I used to agree, but not anymore!

**DougD** · #12 01-23-2011, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M.R. Ogle

I don't think it's a good idea.

It's about muscle-memory / dexterity building. NOT strength. You might enjoy the contrast, but if you spent that time playing the lower set-up bass, you'd develop your better technique quicker.

It's about minimizing your hand movements, mot maximizing them.

Idunknow It think there are a few pro's who advocate it. They say it helps build hand strength and increases their dexterity.

TFunkadelic · #13 01-23-2011, 08:31 PM

Guys, play your basses with low action and a light touch. You only increase your odds of hand and arm injury by doing otherwise. The bass is already bad enough (ergonomically speaking) as it is.

Besides, lower action sounds better too.

maturanesa · #14 01-23-2011, 10:06 PM

i dont see why to switch to a high action. If you want to get more dexterity or speed, just keep your current set up and practice harder (more notes, more legato,more time)

fivestringgecko · #15 01-23-2011, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BrandonBass

i personally set my action as low as possible without fret buzz(unamplified), and I have to say I feel technically inept when I pick up a bass with high action at GC. Fellow action players, u guys feel the same?

+1

5sg.

RBrownBass · #16 01-23-2011, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jsingles

I dont think it makes you better, because you aren't training your muscle memory to know the fast one.

It just makes it so that when you pick up the better bass, you appreciate how much better it is, because your hand has gotten used to the crappy one, and the difference becomes more apparent.

It's like if you ate fast food for three weeks, then had a home cooked steak dinner, it would be the best steak you've ever had.

This brings to mind a question. It doesn't have to be that one bass is lesser than the other- it could be that one bass simply is set up with higher strings.

It would interest me to know how many of you set basses up at different string heights rather than getting your action (however high or low it may be) consistent between all your basses.

Skitch it! · #17 01-23-2011, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Auriaprottu

This brings to mind a question. It doesn't have to be that one bass is lesser than the other- it could be that one bass simply is set up with higher strings.

It would interest me to know how many of you set basses up at different string heights rather than getting your action (however high or low it may be) consistent between all your basses.

The semi/ac Yamahas I've got have a fixed bridge, so they are a little higher than my usual thing, their about 3 mil on the G top fret, I do have to adjust a little bit, plus one has a higher gauge on it, the rest of my basses are set about the same 2.5 mil, there's not a lot in it.

Fergie Fulton · #18 01-24-2011, 02:24 AM

Its a task related feeling that's all. By that, it is personal to the person doing it, another person may feel its affects in another way. If you walk with a 90lb pack then switch to 40lb pack it is easier, but someone used to a 140lb pack will not see the need for your switch, as to him there is no problem....at present.

High action low action, the real issue is string tension. String tension is what make the task more physical and in the long run more damaging, not string height. My Precision is strung high with 120, 100, 80, 60 i play Blues with it and it sound awesome. The tone comes from that set up and nothing else. Is it easier when i change?......of course it is because the task is easier.
Would there be any benefit in in practising with a high action then switch to a low?.....only in the task itself being easier.
Could i damage my hands?.....depends on how healthy your hand are to start with.
Is it something i should do in practise?.....no!, part of benefit of practice is to become as one with the instrument, that means it has to be stay the same in gigging as in practise to get the real benefit of practise. If not then it just becomes easy task, hard task and the focus in the practice becomes the physical task of playing not learning.

madmatt · #19 01-24-2011, 02:50 AM

Just the opposite for me. I would practice the low action bass and gig the higher action bass.

bryan gibson · #20 01-24-2011, 07:49 AM

Two different animals. Low action allows me to play faster lines with less hand fatigue, however it requires a MUCH lighter touch (both hands) to avoid clanking, etc. Higher action (medium I should say) is a little slower, but has a greater margin of error with fret noise, more room for picking dynamics, and a "cleaner" sound overall. So, whenever I'm practicing at the house, I use both rigs. Different horses for different courses, YMMV.