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Double Bass String height at fingerboard
- Thread starter billiard
- Start date
Lots of great threads on this topic. Definitely recommend a search. Here’s a start: Double Bass - String Height Poll
IMO/E it depends on what kind of strings, esp. steel vs gut, your playing style, etc.
My E is around 10 mm. I like my strings on the lower side but not too low. If you can and you haven’t already, go play a number of basses with different setups to get a feel for what you like and don’t like.
IMO/E it depends on what kind of strings, esp. steel vs gut, your playing style, etc.
My E is around 10 mm. I like my strings on the lower side but not too low. If you can and you haven’t already, go play a number of basses with different setups to get a feel for what you like and don’t like.
In my mind, higher tension steel core/wound strings are the perfect excuse for low action. I've seen at least 4 pro DB players using Spiros with guitar-level and even mandolin-level action. If I were playing any kind of steel strings, they'd be as low as that. It would be the only way I could play them without hurting myself.
That said, I keep my gut-like fat low tension synthetic strings at E: 1/4" (~6.35mm) to G: 3/16" (~4.76mm) at the end of the fingerboard all the time. My fingerboard was dressed for fat low tension strings with low action, and it does an excellent job of handling it.
That said, I keep my gut-like fat low tension synthetic strings at E: 1/4" (~6.35mm) to G: 3/16" (~4.76mm) at the end of the fingerboard all the time. My fingerboard was dressed for fat low tension strings with low action, and it does an excellent job of handling it.
