1 mm? Guys, do you use your breath to play? How can there be something if strings just barely moves? They must vibrate somewhere there. 1mm... Foto please. Cause Fender manual which was named here telling about 6/64 as recomended. It is 2,4 mm!
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What is low action?
- Thread starter JMJE909
- Start date
<--- 1/16" @ 12th fret E string. It's like playing a touch screen.
I've always found the Fender setup guide says to have the action too high for me. The way I pluck the string, it vibrates more side to side than up and down. I get it as low as I can and let the amp do the work while playing with a pretty light touch.
Emm, still cant image it. May be you use capo on first fret when setting up action?
my g string is more than 3mm at the octave on my fretless.
i don't understand this "action as low as physically possible" mentality either.
all the fretless basses i played in my "local" musicstore sounded crap because the strings got choked by the fingerboard. also, i basically had no dynamic control over the strings with my fretting hand, it always sounded the same (controlling tone/overtones and "mwah" via pressure was not possible).
i don't understand this "action as low as physically possible" mentality either.
all the fretless basses i played in my "local" musicstore sounded crap because the strings got choked by the fingerboard. also, i basically had no dynamic control over the strings with my fretting hand, it always sounded the same (controlling tone/overtones and "mwah" via pressure was not possible).
No. I do it by eye, and first get the truss rod set right, and then set the action as low as it will go without it buzzing when I play the bass unplugged.
I recently set up my Squier CV 60s P to 4/64, with 5/64 on the low E. 4/64 is just a fraction (well, 1/64!) too low for the low E string. As an open string it doesn't quite have enough excursion if hit hard. Other than that, everything is nice and fast.
My Am. Std. Jaguar is at 5/64.
For gigging (which I'm not doing right now) I think 6/64 is probably better for me. Gives me some wiggle room to dig in, or when I hit hard with a pick.
My Am. Std. Jaguar is at 5/64.
For gigging (which I'm not doing right now) I think 6/64 is probably better for me. Gives me some wiggle room to dig in, or when I hit hard with a pick.
Please make a foto
In attachment file mine 2.4 mm on 12th fret. My attack is strong dig in in 90%
I do roughly about 3/32 on the G from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret, gradually going up a little, with the E or B being the highest. A little bit of relief in the neck. I used to be obsessed with low action, but then grew out of it after I got a chance to play one of Will Lee's basses and Neil Jason's Red Special Jazz. There are some players that sound amazing with really low action, but I'm not one of them. I'm still convinced that there are those that confuse low action with talent! 
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3/32 = 6/64 = 2.38 mmI do roughly about 3/32 on the G from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret, gradually going up a little, with the E or B being the highest. I used to be obsessed with low action, but then grew out of it after I got a chance to play one of Will Lee's basses and Neil Jason's Red Special Jazz. There are some players that sound amazing with really low action, but I'm not one of them. I'm still convinced that there are those that confuse low action with talent!
Clearly, i cant understand how to play with 1/1,5 mm action. It's max up on amp and whiff to strings? Maybe i'm wrong guys, thats why i ask you to show me how you do it
I've very honestly seen guys play well with action that low - you have to have a basically straight neck and make it work for you. Victor Wooten's basses are set that low, but many guys known for speedy playing don't have action as low as what might be expected. It's all very personal.
yeah, necks on mine basses are 95% streight. Maybe it is because of my approach to attack the strings - strings vibrate not in parallel to fretboard but more diagonal. I grew up with Steve Harris bass in my ears
That's probably it - you have to really hit the strings with deliberate force to get the sort of sound that Steve Harris gets. The bass itself may require a higher action to play and sound that way. Players with lower action play in a much more gentle fashion.
A photo? All I said was my action is low. I'll try to get a picture for you when I can. Not able to at the moment as my main bass isn't with me. Every repair person who has set up any of my basses says I set my action "illegally low". Mine is much lower than yours. Also, are you playing a 5 string, or a 4? I play a 5 most of the time.
