What's the difference?

[KevinDRosario]

So I got a really cheap Ibanez when I first started playing. It's been 5 years and I decided it's time I get a decent bass. I was trying out a jazz bass and I noticed the string are really far off the fretboard. It just seems like it's harder to play and it plays slower since I have to press down a lot harder.

So what's the difference between a bass with strings low off the fretboard and a bass with strings really high off the fretboard? What are the advantages/disadvantages for both?

 

[McThumpin]

It's called the "action," and the difference is a good setup.

 

[Jay Corwin]

It's called the "action," and the difference is a good setup.

+1

 

[badboy1984]

Is personal preference when talking about actions. Some people like it low and some people like it hard. If you feel not good when playing high action bass then you are one of those guys that like low actions for fast playing.

Most of the bass in the music store isn't setup properly and also the string is abit dead sometimes. Play around several bass and pick the one you like it alot then get a professional guitar tech to setup the bass for you and tell him you want it low action etc.
Also change the string when you buy a new bass.