How low is your action?

[Yahboy]

My action check point right 17th fret instead 12th fret ,

Finger style
1.25mm on G - 1.75mm on E for 7.25 and 9.5' fretboard radius.
12' fretboard radius i prefer 1.4mm G - 1.6mm E.

if play with pick ,i just follow Fender recommend ~ 2mm on G, 2.4mm on E.

 

[Micha84]

This thread got me curious, so I measured. It's about 3mm right now and I haven't done the seasonal setup yet, so it should be a bit lower.

I love the comfort of low action, but I'd rather go a little higher than a little too low. Allows for more dynamic playing.

 

[NotHereNow]

I start with 7/64 on the E and 5/64 on the G and adjust from there depending on the particular instrument.

 

[easyj]

As low as deez nuts

It's completely childish comments like this that make Talkbass my favorite community, and make me miss playing in a band.

I’m 74 and down to once a…OK, never.

I don't miss the aggravation, Brother.

 

[easyj]

This thread just made me lower my action.

 

[Geri O]

No measurements, just a fine line between playable and little to no rattle.

When someone asks my action setup measurements, I usually give them one of these….



(That’s kinda like asking a woman her measurements. Well, maybe not….)

 

[Ritter667]

(That’s kinda like asking a woman her measurements. Well, maybe not….)

Why?

My go to pickup line is always:

"Hey baby, what's your measurements?"

 

[tindrum]

4/64s is 1.58mm approx. So it's probably about that on the 4 string basses. My fave is probably just a smidge higher than 4/64s. 1.6mm maybe. But actually on the B string of a 5er, it would be higher- that's probably about or just under 5/64s 1.8mm or 1.9mm.

Not sure if I'd do lower. Even on a guitar it's probably 4/64s.

That’s pretty much exactly how all of mine are set up. Anything at or past 2mm and I can’t stand it. I’m a gentle flower.

 

[NeilJazz]

Before it was as low as I can get away with, but recently I have been adjusting higher so the strings will have a bit of fight on 'em as I find the tone is better specially when slapping.

 

[ThudThudThud]

4/64"

 

[ElectricBass72]

Some of my more aggressive basses have action low enough to achieve "the rattle" like Tool's Opiate and Undertow basslines. String rattle is not buzz... the string sustains and rings out.

 

[DigitalMan]

I'm right at 2.25mm and not necessarily happy with the setup at the moment.