Is this low or high action?

[WardEarth]

Highish but not terrible

 

[nilorius]

More high than low.

 

[Drop1]

I'd say, it depends, on your playing style and tone.

If you play aggressive and faster music with a lot of high mids it could be the perfect height. Too low and fret buzz can get annoying if you dont want it.
Also, playing finger style letting your finger fall on the next string can cause a nasty clunk sound.

If you play with a light touch and tend to cut the high mids it is higher than it needs to be. Nothing I would consider "wrong" per say. Well in the limits of being playable, maybe even preferable.

 

[dbsfgyd1]

I got the munchies after looking at those pics.

I suppose that’s for those of us from the sixties and seventies...lol!

 

[twelvetrombones]

Here, I measured it for you. The fret spacing from the 11-12th fret is about 25mm, which means your action at the 12 fret is 25mm * (length of the short line) / (length of the long line), meaning about 2.125mm from this angle.

What action needs to be is determined by many factors, playing style and personal preference included.

Now, Fender specs string action at the 17th fret. A standard 9.5 inch fingerboard bass should have its action set to 2.4mm on the bass side (6/64th). To me that is quite high, I like more like 2mm at the 17th fret if I can prevent buzzing. The basses I have, set to 2mm or a hair above at the 17th fret suggest yours is 0.5-1 mm too high for my liking at 12th fret.

 

[deepestend]

There's an online article from an old Bass Player magazine with an interview with Roger Sadowsky, where he gave what he considered low (Marcus Miller) and high (Will Lee) action. He also mentioned Marcus had since raised his preference but this was all in the article (1996).
Action being measured from the top of the 12th fret and bottom of said string...
Low: G = 1/16", E = 3/32"
High: G = 1/8", E = 5/32"
I prefer a neck just shy of straight and action low, even lower than above on my thumb slinger.
I had a machinist make a small, 1' long by 1/4" wide stepped gauge that has increments of 1/16, 3/32, 1/8 and 5/32. Comes in handy and keeps me in perspective. Sometimes I fight to get the action lower and it's already there. LOL.

Here are the current Sadowsky setup specs from our site:

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[adamerom]

Here, I measured it for you. The fret spacing from the 11-12th fret is about 25mm, which means your action at the 12 fret is 25mm * (length of the short line) / (length of the long line), meaning about 2.125mm from this angle.

What action needs to be is determined by many factors, playing style and personal preference included.

Now, Fender specs string action at the 17th fret. A standard 9.5 inch fingerboard bass should have its action set to 2.4mm on the bass side (6/64th). To me that is quite high, I like more like 2mm at the 17th fret if I can prevent buzzing. The basses I have, set to 2mm or a hair above at the 17th fret suggest yours is 0.5-1 mm too high for my liking at 12th fret.

View attachment 3443299

Oh ty, so what i need to do to get a low action? just setup the bridge or the neck?

 

[Drop1]

Oh ty, so what i need to do to get a low action? just setup the bridge or the neck?

Straighten your neck just a hair and lower your stings until it starts giving too much fret buzz and raise them back up until you are happy.
Your not far out of shape as it is. 1/8 to 1/4 turn on the truss should be more than enough.

 

[twelvetrombones]

Oh ty, so what i need to do to get a low action? just setup the bridge or the neck?

There was a video posted somewhere in this thread about how to set up a bass. One of these I think.




Use this link to get the right specs:

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You'll need some automotive feeler gauges to measure relief, a good quality ruler or a string action ruler, and possibly a capo.

What you need to do (bridge and/or neck) depends. One note of advice: If at all uncomfortable or unsure how to adjust the truss rod ask a professional...

 

[Rallypoint_1]

Get these mini feeler gauges. Easier and more accurate than the regular size. Better for guitar work.

Doesn’t have to be from eBay but I really like this one!

Lisle 68000 Mini Feeler Gage Gauge Set Automotive Ignition Marine Motorcycle 83045680000 | eBay