changed strings, dramatic change in action

[bassmeknik]

My buddy does 'em one at a time on his ibby fiver. Swears the neck goes weird if he doesn't. He's been playing the damn thing like 15 years, I guess he'd know.

I've been taking all the strings off at once to clean the fingerboard for 39 years without a problem...

 

[Rocky McDougall]

Always leave one string on at tension when changing strings.
.

I guess you leave one string on when replacing a bridge or nut???

 

[mech]

To the OP. I don't think setting the string angle at the bridge and nut has been mentioned. Read this post and look at the pic in post #3. What you see in the pic will cause high action, especially on the larger strings.
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/intonation-my-peavey-grind-ntb-6-string-868701/
mech

 

[96tbird]

I think all you guys who think a bass neck is so delicate should watch video of Paul Simonon smashing his bass. Some real effort to bust one and the bolts rip outta the heel before the neck snaps. EDIT: that video doesn't exist on youtube so here:

Taking all the strings off does nothing. In fact, if your neck is 15 years old, ie: well seasoned and set, you can store it for 20 years off the bass in stable indoor conditions without issue; ask me how I know. (I am not recommending anyone do so, but I did.)

What about the Warmoth necks sitting in stock? They sit until purchased, quickly checked that they haven't warped and shipped. Fella's its a non issue to remove your strings.

 

[Hopkins]

Yeah I wouldn't go just lowering things and turning things if your not sure what your doing.

Sorry but he says pretty clearly he's not real sure what to do and says he may try and do it himself and that the last time it didn't go so well.

To the OP your gonna need some basic tools at a minimum if you want to try and correct this issue yourself, and you are definitely fully capable of doing so but first things first take 10 bucks and run up to Harbor Freight Tools (Cheapest) or Lowe's or Home Depot.

Get a Feeler Gauge, and a 6 inch scale (Measuring stick) that reads in 64th's and 32nd's of an inch.

The picture shows you the feeler gauge all the way to the right, and the 6" straight scale in the middle. If you don't have them get them.
Once you have them watch these videos and save yourself the pointless cost of a set up. You can definitely do your own.
I'd skip the third video where he talks about filing the nut, don't get carried away. But steps #1 #2 & #4 are very easy to understand.
Invalid Link Removed
Setting Up Your Bass Guitar: Bridge Action Height Adjustment (Step 2 of 4) - YouTube
Setting Up Your Bass Guitar: Nut Action Height Adjustment (Step 3 of 4) - YouTube
Setting Up Your Bass Guitar: Intonation Adjustment (Step 4 of 4) - YouTube

Good luck with it, I hope your able to get it sorted out.

I used to use feeler gauges and what not. I find now that I can do just as well using my eyes ears and sense of touch to get the same or even better result.

 

[mightypants]

Thanks, again, to everyone for the info and suggestions. Disagreements aside, it seems clear that my bass does need a setup, and that learning to do it myself will be advantageous in the long run.

 

[bootsox]

one of my basses had no strings for 20 years and the neck stayed straight as an arrow

 

[Rocky McDougall]

I use a wooden Popsicle stick to set my string height.
Rocky

 

[Rocky McDougall]

Is that a metric or imperial popsicle?

These were Blue Bell popsicles made in TEXAS. I"m sure they are a hi grade hardwood They measure 2.5 mm and I like that string clearance. They are cheaper than a feeler gauge set and taste much better. I have about 200 in a jar on my workbench so if I misplace one, it's no big deal. Maybe I will sell some on Ebay.
Rocky

 

[96tbird]

Mark me down for a sextet of Blue Bell stix. Do you ship to Canuck?

Edit; nevemind, this is the excuse I have been looking for to get that carton of fudgesicles I have been eyeing up.

 

[grinx]

grab a couple of playing cards

slide 2 playing cards into the space between fret and string on 7th fret for a 2-octave neck (8th fret for a 21-fret neck).

if the cards fit snugly against the string without raising the string, you are done. if 1 card raises the string, dial in some relief with the truss rod or bridge saddle for that string.

if 3 cards raise the string, get rid of the relief

2 cards is just about right (0.015)

(taken from Carvin bass setup instructions)

 

[bootsox]

Man what is it with you guys and super low action

I set mine up so it's the height of a nickel at the third fret and a nickel and a quarter at the 20th fret. any lower and its like there's no tactile response from pressing down the strings