Are some basses built to have higher action?

[TheIndieKid]

I've attempted to set my Supro Huntington up with low action. Currently, I'm looking at 3/64 on the G and 4/64 on the E. However, the G saddle is touching the base of the bridge and just doesn't look right. It feels like the screws should be visible under the saddle. Therefore, are some basses built for higher action?

 

[GoesThump]

I'm not familiar w/the Supro & it is hard to guess w/o seeing it up close. Google has let me down here...

Is it a bolt-on neck? If so, maybe a shim will help.

- GT

 

[onda'bass]

All basses can play well with proper setup and good fret work.

 

[TheIndieKid]

I'm not familiar w/the Supro & it is hard to guess w/o seeing it up close. Google has let me down here...

Is it a bolt-on neck? If so, maybe a shim will help.

- GT

It's a set-neck. The bridge has quite a thick baseplate. Presently because of the piezo.

 

[40Hz]

I wouldn't go so far as to say a bass was specifically built to have high action. I think it'd be more accurate to say some basses are capable of being set up for lower action than others.

Many makers specify a recommended action height in their setup guides. How far you can deviate from that depends on the individual bass. And on a set neck instrument, where you don't have the option of shimming if needed, you're going to be more limited in your range of adjustments.

There's nothing unusual about that. It's just the way it is.

 

[chris_b]

If the saddles are touching the bridge plate and you still need to lower the height the only thing you can do is raise the neck with a shim. Unless it's a neck through then your only option is to replace the bridge with one that can adjust as much as you need. (another thought: Maybe you can find smaller bridge saddles that will allow for more adjustment.) Does the piezo under the bridge prevent you from replacing the bridge? Maybe you need to take the bass to a profession/good repair man and ask his opinion.

I'd be disappointed in a bass that couldn't be adjusted to get the set up you need. If you really have to play this bass you might have to adjust to playing an action higher than you prefer. IMO I'd sell the bass and buy something that does a better job for you.

 

[Kelly robinson]

Two things come to mind here - one is the bass might benefit from a professional set up by a really good luthier who may have some tricks you don't know to adjust the action down further for you on that set neck . The other thing is as mentioned - some basses simply aren't going to be as adjustable s you 'd like - due mostly to design or manufacturing choices . More expensive basses tend to have that adjust - ability available more than less expensive instruments and while the Supro is not cheap - it certainly is not an expensive bass and may not have the quality standards necessary for the low action you want . I'd run your dilemma past a good repair guy and see what is possible and what it'll cost ... Kelly

 

[TheIndieKid]

Two things come to mind here - one is the bass might benefit from a professional set up by a really good luthier who may have some tricks you don't know to adjust the action down further for you on that set neck . The other thing is as mentioned - some basses simply aren't going to be as adjustable s you 'd like - due mostly to design or manufacturing choices . More expensive basses tend to have that adjust - ability available more than less expensive instruments and while the Supro is not cheap - it certainly is not an expensive bass and may not have the quality standards necessary for the low action you want . I'd run your dilemma past a good repair guy and see what is possible and what it'll cost ... Kelly

I can get it down to about 3/64" on the G string with about 0.08" relief. Pretty good going. But at this point, I'm just comparing to other basses I've played where you can get the action down to where it physically touches the frets.

 

[FunkHead]

Going a little flatter on the neck relief will get your action lower. That plus lower tension strings will get it even lower. I know your relief is already minimal but it makes a difference to go even flatter.

 

[TheIndieKid]

Going a little flatter on the neck relief will get your action lower. That plus lower tension strings will get it even lower. I know your relief is already minimal but it makes a difference to go even flatter.

I want to, but it's become a stiff. I'm worried I'll break it if I go further.

 

[FunkHead]

I want to, but it's become a stiff. I'm worried I'll break it if I go further.

Oh. Then filing the saddle grooves lower should work.

 

[TheIndieKid]

Oh. Then filing the saddle grooves lower should work.

I wish. There's a piezo below the saddles. I think the odds are stacked against me.

 

[40Hz]

Two things come to mind here - one is the bass might benefit from a professional set up by a really good luthier who may have some tricks you don't know to adjust the action down further for you on that set neck . The other thing is as mentioned - some basses simply aren't going to be as adjustable s you 'd like - due mostly to design or manufacturing choices . More expensive basses tend to have that adjust - ability available more than less expensive instruments and while the Supro is not cheap - it certainly is not an expensive bass and may not have the quality standards necessary for the low action you want . I'd run your dilemma past a good repair guy and see what is possible and what it'll cost ... Kelly

I own a Huntington and the build quality is definitely there. I also found the factory string height setting perfectly comfortable and acceptable. But that's just personal preference.

The limit to how low you can bring the action on that bass is inherent in the design. A good setup with extra attention to the truss rod adjustment can help get it lower than the suggested height. But the piezo bridge introduces some limits of its own as does the set neck.

It is what it is.

 

[Kelly robinson]

Ahhh - thanks 40Hz - that explains it in a nutshell . That should teach me that " to try to ascribe general theory to specific cases " is always a tad risky !!! ... Kelly

 

[tpa]

I can get it down to about 3/64" on the G string with about 0.08" relief...

On my 30in scale basses I usually uses less relief than that. Often some 1mm. But what suits depend on playing technique etc.

 

[Leo Thunder]

I can get it down to about 3/64" on the G string with about 0.08" relief. Pretty good going. But at this point, I'm just comparing to other basses I've played where you can get the action down to where it physically touches the frets.

Since no one would ever do this, instruments are not all made to make it possible.
3/64" are 1.2 mm, which is lower than most people do already, assuming this is the action at the 12th fret.
4/62" are 1.6 mm and some of my basses never got lower than that. This is low action when you consider that Fender's guideline goes from 5/64" = 2 mm to 6/64" = 2.4 mm.

 

[dkelley]

That sucks, op. I had a carvin neck through with exactly the same issue and piezo bridge complications. I sold it.... it's a single instrument flaw normally.. not something you'll find all that model suffers from, I would think. Certainly that carvin was the only carvin I've encountered with that issue... so hopefully another build of your bass will be better.

One fix although complicated is getting wood under bridge routed down 1.5mm or so. Needs a pro though

 

[40Hz]

Ahhh - thanks 40Hz - that explains it in a nutshell . That should teach me that " to try to ascribe general theory to specific cases " is always a tad risky !!! ... Kelly

Not at all.

The interesting thing about the Huntington is that it was designed to be sorta retro. Short-scale, goldfoils, set neck, yadda-dadda. Probably because people into the Supro brand are usually into the retro thing big time too. (In my case I just wanted a nice short-scale. )

But we've become so accustomed to more modern bass designs that are significantly more adjustable than the old gear, that we're surprised if a bass can't do something if it's not broken. Today's gear is a huge improvement in many ways.

 

[TheIndieKid]

It's a great little bass. Don't get me wrong, I'm a perfectionist, and you can see that in my questions on Talkbass about the bass. But the build is great.

 

[buldog5151bass]

I don't think designed for higher action, but not made as well. Just like an instrument with a large neck pocket gap - it wasn't designed that way - it was just made poorly.