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String Action

Discussion in 'Setup & Repair [DB]' started by Bijoux, Oct 20, 2001.

  1. Oct 20, 2001 #1
    Bijoux

    Bijoux

    Aug 13, 2001
    Denver-CO-USA
    Hi guys, I have two carved basses very similar in size and sound, but I noticed that with the same set of strings in one of them I can have the strings at about 1/2 inch from the FB and it feels easy to play and I get a good sound but on the other bass with the strings a little bit over 1/4 inch the action feels really stiff, I also had both necks reshaped so they are almost identical, any of you have any idea why some basses feel easier to play even with higher action, I have spent weeks trying to figure it out, thanks for your help.
     
  2. Oct 21, 2001 #2
    reedo35

    reedo35

    Jul 29, 2000
    Colorado Springs CO
    Hi, BEEJUICE ; to sort of answer your question,
    Well, A couple of variables come into play here.
    1.Are you using the same strings on both Basses? 2.You said you had the necks reshaped, but is the height the same at the nut for both DB's? (And I mean within 1/32 of an inch..it does make a difference)
    3.It is also possible that the angle of the neck is just a bit different.
    4. Or, sometimes, it just be that way, know what I mean? Accept the individuality of the instrument.
    This question has come up before, and differences in string tension seem to be very common.
     
  3. Oct 21, 2001 #3
    Chris Fitzgerald

    Chris Fitzgerald Student of Life Staff Member Administrator Gold Supporting Member

    Oct 19, 2000
    Louisville, KY
    BOURGEOIS,

    That's a good question. I played two gigs yesterday, and because one was outside and one was inside, I used two different basses. Both have Spirocore Orch gauge strings, and both are set to range from 1/4" height at the G string to 1/2" height at the E. I noticed that my plywood (outdoor) bass was much easier to play (felt like the tension was lower), but that my carved bass was getting a much more pronounced attack than even the difference in construction would account for. It's weird, ain't it? I never have figured that one out.

    DURRL
     
  4. Oct 21, 2001 #4
    Sam Sherry

    Sam Sherry Inadvertent Microtonalist Supporting Member

    Sep 26, 2001
    Portland, ME
    I bet the neck angle is steeper on the solid bass than on the plywood. [Of course, I may lose that bet . . . . ]
     
  5. Oct 21, 2001 #5
    Don Higdon

    Don Higdon In Memoriam

    Dec 11, 1999
    Princeton Junction, NJ
    Sam Yule:
    Friday night I worked with someone who worked with someone from your area named Galante. Does the name ring any bells?
     
  6. Oct 22, 2001 #6
    Sam Sherry

    Sam Sherry Inadvertent Microtonalist Supporting Member

    Sep 26, 2001
    Portland, ME
    From Maine? Naw, that doesn't connect for me. Any details?

    The guys from here you might run into include Scott Reeves (Dave Liebman Big Band; CCNY/Juilliard jazz faculty), Scott's wife Janet Reeves (Pno/Voc), and Greg Tardy (who left before I came).