What If I want Lower Action?

[Jazzin']

What if I want lower action (or at least to have the option of lower action) but my adjusters are at their lowest? Does that mean I need to take it into the shop and get the bridge recut?

[mchildree]

AFAIK, yes.

[drurb]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

What if I want lower action (or at least to have the option of lower action) but my adjusters are at their lowest? Does that mean I need to take it into the shop and get the bridge recut?

Assuming you mean "string height," then the answer would seem to be "yes." How low would you like your string height to be? For example, with your adjusters set at their lowest, how far is the G off the fingerboard? Preference and style aside, if you go "ultra-low" it can present other set-up challenges.

[Chasarms]

If your bass was get up by a pro, it was probably set up so that the lowest the adjusters will go is about as low as the strings can play without rattling on the fingerboard. It may be that it will take more than a bridge cut. It may require some additional dressing of the fb.

Depending on how low they will go now, you may not be able to lower them in any case. It also will depend on the type strings you are using. Any 41" string needs a little room to oscillate, but some strings, like Obligato or gut for example, really move a lot. A stiffer orchestra string will move less.

If you have visions of BG-like "action", I fear you may face disappointment.

[mpm]

AFAIK?

[Jake deVilliers]

As Far As I Know

[Jazzin']

Well a friend of mine who has the same bass as mine and got it from the same place and set up at the same place happens to have the ability to get lower string height than I can. I played his bass with the lower string height and found it so much easier. Mine is currently at it's lowest and isn't that low.

[nicklloyd]

If you want your strings really low... the fingerboard may need to be re-planed. How close to the fingerboard do you want the strings to be?

[robobass]

It won't hurt anything to cut the bridge legs down more so you can experiment with very low action. If it is too low, you can always crank the adjusters up a bit. The minimum string height depends on how well the FB is dressed, the kind of strings, length, and the kind of playing you do. A lot of jazz players seem to tolerate a bit of rattle as the price you pay for really soft action.
Robobass

[Jazzin']

So I brought my bass in yesterday and got it back today. Instead of cutting down the bridge, they sanded off from the upper half of the fingerboard and the nut. I haven't had much time to play it yet, but it seems like they did a good job replaning the fingerboard.

[All_¥our_Bass]

You could put a shim under the neck.

[Glider]

Originally Posted by Jazzin'

What if I want lower action (or at least to have the option of lower action) but my adjusters are at their lowest? Does that mean I need to take it into the shop and get the bridge recut?

I read the thread and cant help but wonder if you tryed doing any truss rod adjustments now or in the past? is your neck bowed toward the strings? check that avenue first before doing anything else..

[PB+J]

Originally Posted by Glider

I read the thread and cant help but wonder if you tryed doing any truss rod adjustments now or in the past?

We're talking upright bass here, friend--there is no truss rod

[Jazzin']

Originally Posted by PB+J

We're talking upright bass here, friend--there is no truss rod

Yeah, and how does one shim an upright?

[All_¥our_Bass]

Oops, I didn't notice this was for an upright.

LOL!!