Double Bass string height

[KSB - Ken Smith]

View attachment 36368

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A man of many words.. http://www.talkbass.com/forum/search.php?searchid=2366665

 

[jmpiwonka]

wow you guys are argumentative.
i think KSB stated the average string heights, the heights that will work with most string types, most basses, and most playing styles.
it's obvious there will always be exceptions...stanley being one extreme and the slappers being the other.

i would say ken's original post was pretty much right on...

if you don't know what do. get some adjusters put in your bridge and start playing around with heights...(where is the beer mug emoticon?? )

 

[Chris Fitzgerald]

 

[Bruce Lindfield]

i think KSB stated the average string heights, the heights that will work with most string types, most basses, and most playing styles.
it's obvious there will always be exceptions...stanley being one extreme and the slappers being the other.

i would say ken's original post was pretty much right on...

I think that is a fair summary - this was proving a very useful thread for me and I appreciate Kens' advice and views on string heights - as someone relatively new to DB, it's all good stuff!

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Ken, in an earlier post you referred to liking your bass set up with "minimum camber/scoop ". Could you put some specific numbers to that concept?

Thanks, Jake

 

[KSB - Ken Smith]

Ken, in an earlier post you referred to liking your bass set up with "minimum camber/scoop ". Could you put some specific numbers to that concept?

Thanks, Jake

I don't have a number to give and as every Bass has a different feel and tension I would guess they might measure differntly from one to another. As little camber as possible would be my description.

You can always add more if you like but having too much to begin with will cost the FB too much wood as it gets thinner durring correction. At that point, everything has to match the low point.

 

[uptonbass]

Exactly as Ken said, thats a hard thing to put a number on. String length variences can really change the amount of scoop needed, the acutal strings that are on the given bass really make a difference in how close you can come. We have often setup a bass that I think is just too close and on the verge and the player loves it..... So many variances to put a number on it, however you can put a number on an OVER scooped board.(an inch or more of relief in the middle of the board ) We see quite a lot of that and I suppose thats the way for a shop to get it in one shot BUT it kills the player and they often don't know there actually is better out there. Until they play a well setup instrument.

Just this saturday we had a client in with his bass and it took 3 shots at; full plane, scrape, sand,pumice, oil etc..... On the 3rd we got it. This clients bass had a very strong resonant A and anywhere you played the A on the fb it buzzed, every other note was fine. We could have really gone past the line and had no issues but again, this client (and most) want the strings right on top of the board, a nice low bridge and nut height and not a single buzz or pitter patter from the board. Other than a nice glean growl down low on the E.

You can always take away but never put back....well within reasonable expense.

All this said I am actually one of those with the high string heights. A strong index finger unde the E and roughly 1mm less for each.

 

[bribass]

Exactly as Ken said, thats a hard thing to put a number on. String length variences can really change the amount of scoop needed, the acutal strings that are on the given bass really make a difference in how close you can come. We have often setup a bass that I think is just too close and on the verge and the player loves it..... So many variances to put a number on it, however you can put a number on an OVER scooped board.(an inch or more of relief in the middle of the board ) We see quite a lot of that and I suppose thats the way for a shop to get it in one shot BUT it kills the player and they often don't know there actually is better out there. Until they play a well setup instrument.

Just this saturday we had a client in with his bass and it took 3 shots at; full plane, scrape, sand,pumice, oil etc..... On the 3rd we got it. This clients bass had a very strong resonant A and anywhere you played the A on the fb it buzzed, every other note was fine. We could have really gone past the line and had no issues but again, this client (and most) want the strings right on top of the board, a nice low bridge and nut height and not a single buzz or pitter patter from the board. Other than a nice glean growl down low on the E.

You can always take away but never put back....well within reasonable expense.

All this said I am actually one of those with the high string heights. A strong index finger unde the E and roughly 1mm less for each.

So, for less scoop in the midle of the board you would take away wood at the nut end as well as the thumb position end of the board? Would there ever be a situation where you would JUST take away from the thumb position end?

My bass feels great on either end, but a little too high in the middle. Would this be a solution?

thanks, BG

 

[uptonbass]

So, for less scoop in the midle of the board you would take away wood at the nut end as well as the thumb position end of the board? Would there ever be a situation where you would JUST take away from the thumb position end?

My bass feels great on either end, but a little too high in the middle. Would this be a solution?

thanks, BG

Well it all depends on the shape and camber of the board but in theory, yes, there are times we do just take away from the end of the board. Still everything needs to be tied in together and then throw in grain orientation and you can open a whole new can of worms. Sharp, sharp, sharp, tools....always.

Fingerboards do take a little magic, never a quick easy solution and one of the MOST important aspects of a good setup.

 

[Uncletoad]

Fingerboards do take a little magic, never a quick easy solution and one of the MOST important aspects of a good setup.

+1. There are far fewer good fingerboard cutters than repairmen.

It's an art all to itself.

fwiw our Nnick is one of those talented guys.