I have the opposite thing where every time I try lowering it I end up raising it again
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
How high or low is your action set/preference?
- Thread starter brian579
- Start date
I tend to crank mine down as far as I can, with NO fret buzz below the 12th, as little as possible on the higher frets. My Thunderbirds with flatwounds are the easiest for this, the basses with rounds and tapes seem harder. It's helpful that I play exclusively with picks 
I used to not think so much about the action until I started getting older- now approaching my mid-60's I go for as low as I can get without fret buzz which mean a neck relief from .008-.012 on the low string where the manufacture recommends to check it (generally at the 7th to 9th frets). As far as action goes I shoot for 5/64 at the E string down to 4/64 at the G string (again one whichever fret a given manufacturer recommends), depending on the bass and how flat the radius is.
For five string basses I may go up a bit on the action for the B string, depending on the bass.
For those who like metric, which is easier for me- around .020 to 0.25 mm for neck relief and 2.0 to 1.5 mm (E-G) for action height. For B string on a five string bass, I may go up to 2.25 to 2.5 mm depending on the bass.
For five string basses I may go up a bit on the action for the B string, depending on the bass.
For those who like metric, which is easier for me- around .020 to 0.25 mm for neck relief and 2.0 to 1.5 mm (E-G) for action height. For B string on a five string bass, I may go up to 2.25 to 2.5 mm depending on the bass.
Depends on the instrument itself.
Most of my basses are Jazzes, and depending on the neck angle, the measurement at 12th fret can fluctuate, but I usually aim for around 4mm. On the Ricks, though, I like them lower, to get the rattle.
Most of my basses are Jazzes, and depending on the neck angle, the measurement at 12th fret can fluctuate, but I usually aim for around 4mm. On the Ricks, though, I like them lower, to get the rattle.
As low as I can get without fret buzz. Some basses can naturally get lower action than others. I don't mind string "rattle" which is different than fret buzz. Some of my basses have a rattle to them which enhances the aggressive round wound string sound.
Last edited:
As low as possible without fret buzz.
