To raise action or change finger technique?

chilievans · #1 03-10-2011, 11:31 AM

I've just had my bass set up and it has a lovelly low action on it. The thing is that when I dig in a little there is a bit of noise coming from the strings hitting the frets.
Now, should I

1, raise the strings and loose the low action?

or

b, change my style and play softer?

electracoyote · #2 03-10-2011, 11:34 AM

I usually crank the amp a little louder and go with a generally softer touch. It took some time, but that works for me. I still have plenty of dynamics.

However, if your style and dynamics require digging in, you have no choice but to raise action.

tdub0199 · #3 03-10-2011, 11:35 AM

No one other than you can make this decision... It's all personal preference and it's up to you how you wanna play wether it be wrong or right....

chilievans · #4 03-10-2011, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

I usually crank the amp a little louder and go with a generally softer touch. It took some time, but that works for me. I still have plenty of dynamics

good thinking

intheory · #5 03-10-2011, 11:39 AM

Great question-my fretless requires a much softer touch than my fretted, and I play accordingly. I will say that I went through a period in 2009 when I was regularly breaking strings during gigs on my fretted-I lightened up my attack, and haven't had this problem since then (the fretless has certainly helped as well

). Also lightening up my attack has helped with endurance and dynamics (I can bring on a little attack when I need more, but there's no where to go if you're attacking full force all of the time, lol).

-Dan

electracoyote · #6 03-10-2011, 11:43 AM

I have had bass techs and builders tell me that digging in too much actually distorts the bass's natural tone. Obviously, if you get the string vibrating wide enough, it's sending a really warped signal to the pickup, and will even distort out of tune. My builders encouraged me to lighten my touch, lower that action, and let the wood and electronics breathe a little more naturally. Let the bass do some of the work.

YMMV, I'm sure there are folks whose tone depends on a heavy hand.

chilievans · #7 03-10-2011, 11:43 AM

Good point Dan.
I'm only just begining (garde 4 exam on 20th march) so I'm thinking now is the best time to start playing with propper technique and not have to relearn in the future

intheory · #8 03-10-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chilievans

Good point Dan.
I'm only just begining (garde 4 exam on 20th march) so I'm thinking now is the best time to start playing with propper technique and not have to relearn in the future

I was scared to death that I wouldn't be able to modify my technique after 20 years of playing, but it was easier than I thought...and don't think I have "proper" technique...I honestly have no idea...I just know that it sounds good

Play on!

-Dan

Tom_RCJ · #9 03-10-2011, 11:49 AM

Something eles to keep in mind; some basses won't sound "in tune" if the action is too high.

I noticed this on mine. I had the action nice and high like I like it, and the intonation was perfect. However, anything between the 12th fret and open notes was off. Sometimes by a whole 1/4 tone. This was fixed by simply bringing the action down. It might just be my bass, but I'd check anyway.

At any rate, a lighter touch makes it much easier to record without having to compress the life out of your dynamics. So it's good to be able to play that way.

chilievans · #10 03-10-2011, 12:01 PM

Well how high is too high?
Mine is around 2.5mm at 12th fret

fryBASS · #11 03-10-2011, 12:01 PM

Depends on what you wanna do. IME, 50% of the time I'm playing double bass and the other half bass guitar. On DB you can't just play with a lighter touch. You HAVE to dig in. This ends up transferring to bass guitar, so I just keep my action a little high and just deal with the sound I get.

tZer · #12 03-10-2011, 12:29 PM

I agree either choice is fine and up to you.

I support the 'adjust technique' side, however. I prefer letting the amp do a little more work and lightening my touch. It leaves lots of 'headroom' that can be gained through my fingers alone.

That beats the hell out of volume pedals, knob-twisting and other extraneous activities just to get a boost or cut and I think it makes my play with more 'real' dynamics.

chilievans · #13 03-10-2011, 12:40 PM

Thanks guys
Decision made
Lighter touch it is

Spin Doctor · #14 03-10-2011, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom_RCJ

Something eles to keep in mind; some basses won't sound "in tune" if the action is too high.

I noticed this on mine. I had the action nice and high like I like it, and the intonation was perfect. However, anything between the 12th fret and open notes was off. Sometimes by a whole 1/4 tone. This was fixed by simply bringing the action down. It might just be my bass, but I'd check anyway.

At any rate, a lighter touch makes it much easier to record without having to compress the life out of your dynamics. So it's good to be able to play that way.

Jut wondering how could your intonation be perfect if notes between the 12the fret and open string was off? How do you check intonation?

Russell L · #15 03-10-2011, 01:24 PM

I have developed a technique in which my picking hand (two-finger style) moves as if I'm digging in, but I am actually hitting the string lightly. Hard to describe the feeling it gives me other than to say I can seem to feel the groove better that way. Articulation is much better, too. My strings are still a tad high, though, just in case.

**pacojas** · #16 03-10-2011, 01:32 PM

after 20yrs i lowered my strings and lightened my touch and it made me a MUCH better player! YMMV