The Great "How High Does My Action Really Need To Be?" Thread

[Square Bear]

Originally Posted by zeytoun

The common explanation I often read is that it increases tension. But if it increases tension, then it also increases pitch (pitch is mainly a product of tension, mass, and length) so you would tune down to where the tension was the same as before the adjustment... so that doesn't really make sense to me.

So I would guess that the main factors are 1) with higher action, less vibrations are lost to the fingerboard and 2) you can dig in a little harder.

But, I'm no expert, and someone might have better information.

Lower action, lower volume, wah

my understanding is that there are two kinds of tension (or pressure) we are talking about here - the tension along the length of the string and the pressure on the top plate. raising the string height or lowering the saddle will put more pressure on the top plate, meaning (in many cases) more overall volume.

[Ryan McMasters]

Originally Posted by Square Bear

my understanding is that there are two kinds of tension (or pressure) we are talking about here - the tension along the length of the string and the pressure on the top plate. raising the string height or lowering the saddle will put more pressure on the top plate, meaning (in many cases) more overall volume.

sure, you might get move overall volume, but won't be able to play the bass for as long due to increased hand fatigue. Also, the actual volume of air molecules that you move could actually be significantly reduced. I suppose you have to consider which volume is more important!

[Bijoux]

how about this guy? check out his string height!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_N41yxoC6bU