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Are there down sides to low action...?

#21
I use low action and fret buzz is not an issue. Even people who prefer higher action don't get fret buzz on my basses. Add "the bass" to the list of things it depends on...
:cool:

How low? On my sixes with ramps I barely have 1mm at the ramp when the highest note is fretted on the C string.
 
#22
I have perhaps a controversial view on 'low action' (my first post in this thread was made in that less than level headed space between getting home from the gig and going to sleep)

The idea being that low is easier to play on, which is well and good, but some people as I understand set their action so low that they have to limit their attack. Now what this means is that you've chosen to limit the sounds you can make in order to make your bass 'easier' to play. Now this seems a little silly to me, since you're shooting yourself in the foot in terms of musical expression. what I do on all my basses is set the action as low as it can go without getting fret buzz with my heaviest attack. It's still very comfortable, and I would class lower settings as simply 'different' rather than 'easier'
 
#23
If you learn how to play with low action it doesn't have to limit your attack. I've demonstrated this to people many times on the basses I described. Of course if you don't it can limit you. IMO IME at that point the issue isn't necessarily the setup... it's what you can do with it.

Can a bass be set up too low for me? Absolutely... but it's going to have to be pretty damn low on a nice instrument. Once you dial in your technique it's surprising to most people just how hard you can play with low action. In fact you can end up with a much wider and easily controlled dynamic range IME... I keep my volume high and control the output with touch. Even with that I can play hard and control it with a combination of left and right hand muting.
:D
 
#24
Brad Johnson said:
If you learn how to play with low action it doesn't have to limit your attack. I've demonstrated this to people many times on the basses I described. Of course if you don't it can limit you. IMO IME at that point the issue isn't necessarily the setup... it's what you can do with it.

Can a bass be set up too low for me? Absolutely... but it's going to have to be pretty damn low on a nice instrument. Once you dial in your technique it's surprising to most people just how hard you can play with low action. In fact you can end up with a much wider and easily controlled dynamic range IME... I keep my volume high and control the output with touch. Even with that I can play hard and control it with a combination of left and right hand muting.
:D
Click to expand...

My idea of playing hard does not include muting. :)

Whatever works for the individual is the best for that individual.
 
#32
In general, many people I see tend to keep their action too low and get minor fret buzz. The fret buzz negatively affects your tone and how much punch your notes have. How hard you play and how much dexterity you have are factors that might lead you to raise or lower, but so are how straight your neck is and if your bridge is adjusted correctly.
 
#33
SnakeKappele said:
I agree. I use LaBella 760M flatwounds with a high action and use ramps.

It's all about what works for you.

JaguarStringHeight3.jpg
Click to expand...

Jeez I hope thats a Fretless:eek:

The only way real high action isnt going to affect intonation is if you are playing a fretless..... then you can compensate with minor adjustment on the fretting fingers. Thats a nogo if it has frets: ive played some basses with high action that the higher notes were not even ringing true.... a whole step sharp sometimes! No good.

I play with lower action with a real heavy strike and incorporate the clank into my sound. Kind of like trujilo. No pick for me either.
 
#34
JimiLL said:
Jeez I hope thats a Fretless:eek:

The only way real high action isnt going to affect intonation is if you are playing a fretless..... then you can compensate with minor adjustment on the fretting fingers. Thats a nogo if it has frets: ive played some basses with high action that the higher notes were not even ringing true.... a whole step sharp sometimes! No good.

I play with lower action with a real heavy strike and incorporate the clank into my sound. Kind of like trujilo. No pick for me either.
Click to expand...

It is a fretless. I have no problems on my fretted basses either - but I'm sure you won't believe that.
 
#37
Attitude? Im stating the truth. Youre attitude started with the end of post #34. Never said you were lying... maybe you just dont know what your talking about. That is possible... that people on a forum dont know what their talking about? but not you... no sir.

Think about string tensions and how they increase as the distance the string is stretched from nut to bridge increases the higher the string is from the frets.

Whatever. Something about wrestling with a pigg.......
 
#38
JimiLL said:
Attitude? Im stating the truth. Youre attitude started with the end of post #34. Never said you were lying... maybe you just dont know what your talking about. That is possible... that people on a forum dont know what their talking about? but not you... no sir.

Think about string tensions and how they increase as the distance the string is stretched from nut to bridge increases the higher the string is from the frets.

Whatever. Something about wrestling with a pigg.......
Click to expand...

I thought I said "please." Apparently you are the one who knows everything.
 
#39
JimiLL said:
The only way real high action isnt going to affect intonation is if you are playing a fretless.....
Click to expand...

No, you adjust for the string stretching at the bridge. The higher the action, the more sharp the string stretches to, so the farther back you move the saddle to compensate. It has nothing to do with tension.

Having said that, I use very low action, play pretty hard, and get very little buzzing. The buzzing I get I want. I like that tone, especially on open strings like you get on an upright.

If your frets are level and the neck is straight, you can get an even buzz on every note when you hit the strings hard.

SnakeKappele, I couldn't play with my strings that high. Well I could, but I wouldn't enjoy it. But as you said, it's what works for you. :)
 

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