Jazz Bass Action

mikejdexter · #1 11-29-2009, 03:03 PM

I'm seeking a low action for my style of playing--Jazz.
How low is it advisable to go before one loses the 'acoustic' sound of the Bass? Recommendations for height at end of fingerboard. I play both acousticly and amplified--steel strings.

Many thanks.

Peck_Time · #2 11-29-2009, 07:50 PM

Step zero: Get bridge height adjusters installed.

Step one: Lower your string height until your bass sounds bad.

Step two: Raise your string height slightly.

Step three: stop.

JtheJazzMan · #3 11-29-2009, 08:32 PM

Youre not going to lose the acoustic sound, its simply going to change. For any given height you either like it or you dont. Its all bass and setup dependant too. Then you have to change your approach to playing. If the strings are low then you have to learn not to dig in and force sound out of the strings like you would be able to with higher strings. Learning to play low action lets you be comfortable playing fast.

String tension comes into play as well. Tightly strung ones help to minimise buzzing, while low tension ones must flap around more and hit the FB

Shakin-Slim · #4 12-03-2009, 08:57 PM

There is no right action. Ever seen Mingus' action? You could fit a large rodent under there. Also makes a difference if you intend to bow.

Don Higdon · #5 12-05-2009, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

Ever seen Mingus' action?

Yes. Have you?

TroyK · #6 12-05-2009, 11:01 PM

My bass isn't getting any action, but she's old. I'll bet she did when she was a cute youngster in Czechoslovakia.

Jake deVilliers · #7 12-06-2009, 01:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

My bass isn't getting any action, but she's old. I'll bet she did when she was a cute youngster in Czechoslovakia.

She's still a damn good looking bass!

MR PC · #8 12-06-2009, 01:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shakin-Slim

Ever seen Mingus' action?

Only in still photographs. Very beautiful.

Paul Warburton · #9 12-06-2009, 02:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Yes. Have you?

I think you and me are the only ones old enough around here that can really say that.

Eric Swanson · #10 12-06-2009, 06:58 AM

Appropos of nothing, and not quite old enough to have been going to jazz shows in the early '60's, I was watching Mingus, Eric Dolphy, et al playing on one of those nifty Naxos DVD's from that Jazz Icons series. (One can get them on Netflix, which is what I did). Here is a link to the disc elsewhere:

http://www.amazon.com/Jazz-Icons-Cha.../dp/B000TNJIJM

His action didn't look particularly high, it looked verty playable, actually. Plus he was playing gut, so the whole deal is a different ball o' wax...

I guess it really depends on how one defines "large" when talking about rodents. This mostly has to do, in my meager experience, with the rodent's location. The same rodent, if in your kithen, looks much larger than if it were in the woods. So, perhaps a rodent under bass strings looks even larger.

Anybody have any rodent/string images? (Bass, maybe? )Hey, I am just trying to learn, here...

Gab124 · #11 12-06-2009, 07:10 AM

The largest rodent in the world can get up to 120 pounds - so that could be some high action

Ed Fuqua · #12 12-06-2009, 08:43 AM

All to say that people play jazz with a wide variety of string height. Rather than think "low action for jazz" think "optimal height for the best sound". It may be that your bass gets its best (fullest, roundest, most projecting) sound at a string height that is currently uncomfortable for you. That might mean hitting the shed, it might mean getting a different bass. It's kind of hard to determine what is "unplayable" and what's just different than you are used to.

How long have you been playing DB and who do you study with?

drurb · #13 12-06-2009, 09:12 AM

If ever, "to each his own" and YMMV applied, it's here. Gee, from Bromberg to Mingus there's a vast number of players and styles. I'll add to Ed's on-target comment and say that you should probably decide on and/or experiment with different styles before you think "low action" (what most DBers call low string height). Personally, I admire the abilities of some players to fly all over the fingerboard with low string heights. At the same time, I'd never want to sound or play like them even if I had their talent.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #14 12-06-2009, 12:27 PM

I agree with Eric on Mingus' string height. Although I never saw him live, from the several DVD's I have seen and own it doesn't look all that high; probably an average height for guts today.
+1 to Ed. On my basses, there is an optimal height where they sound best. They sound great with the mittels at 5mm on the G and 8mm on the E. Much higher and they start to choke up.
I have found that the nut slots are significant in the feel and playability as well. On my main axe I can barely squeeze a business card under each string, including the E. Half and first position are very easy on the left hand.

mikejdexter · #15 12-06-2009, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ed Fuqua

All to say that people play jazz with a wide variety of string height. Rather than think "low action for jazz" think "optimal height for the best sound". It may be that your bass gets its best (fullest, roundest, most projecting) sound at a string height that is currently uncomfortable for you. That might mean hitting the shed, it might mean getting a different bass. It's kind of hard to determine what is "unplayable" and what's just different than you are used to.

How long have you been playing DB and who do you study with?

I've been playing DB for quite a few years. I play a late 1800's Bass, set up with steel strings. Always changing string height to get the best possible acoustic sound---currently quite a low action and a fairly reasonable sound. I had a few pro classical lessons at first--then 'on my own'.

mikejdexter · #16 12-06-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drurb

If ever, "to each his own" and YMMV applied, it's here. Gee, from Bromberg to Mingus there's a vast number of players and styles. I'll add to Ed's on-target comment and say that you should probably decide on and/or experiment with different styles before you think "low action" (what most DBers call low string height). Personally, I admire the abilities of some players to fly all over the fingerboard with low string heights. At the same time, I'd never want to sound or play like them even if I had their talent.

I'm with you---to fly all over the fingerboard is not everything---the quality of the sound is the thing for me. But trying to find the sound you want with a bit of speed would be ideal. Also, do any of you D/Bass'ists mix strings?--ie: steel/nylon or gut and if so what works best for you?

Marcus Johnson · #17 12-06-2009, 03:15 PM

Many of us mix. It's a sickness.

My current string nirvana is Gamut guts up top and Evah Weichs on the bottom. I can fly as fast as I care to with that setup.

Greg Clinkingbeard · #18 12-06-2009, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by clink

..... They sound great with the mittels at 5mm on the G and 8mm on the E. Much higher and they start to choke up.
....................

Obviously I have no idea what I'm talking about. After actually putting a ruler to it, my main axe is at 7 and 10.

It's been going up and down lately with changes in the weather and what seemed like a twist of the adjusters maybe was a little more manhood and a little less correction. Regardless, the bass feels great and sounds great so it is what it is. So pay no attention to the man behind the curtain.
Find whatever height works for you and let it be.

mikejdexter · #19 12-10-2009, 06:02 PM

Thanks everybody for your helpfull advice.

Shakin-Slim · #20 12-10-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don Higdon

Yes. Have you?

Do you want to sound any more pretentious?