archie84 Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 hi everyone. just fitted a new set of ernie ball slinky flatwounds on my squire jazz bass and just noticed that i have 0.10mm (used a feeler gauge to measure it) clearance on the first frett. i have a feeling this is to low. what do you think? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Is this measurement with the string UN fretted? If so it could be a bit low, but does it Buzz? If it feels good, do it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 That does seem quite low. If it feels OK to you and you aren't getting any buzzing then I would leave it. If it is buzzing then it might be an idea to put a thin shim under the nut. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 [quote name='BassBus' timestamp='1467449778' post='3083726'] That does seem quite low. If it feels OK to you and you aren't getting any buzzing then I would leave it. If it is buzzing then it might be an idea to put a thin shim under the nut. [/quote] Or remove the nut, paint the bottom of the slot with glue and lt it dry. Then refit the nut. I personally like that height at the 1st, when it's fretted at the 3rd. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icastle Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 What is all this fascination with feeler gauges these days? If it feels right and it doesn't rattle, then it is right. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 (edited) I'd say that's maybe slightly on the low side but if it feels and sounds ok then it's not a problem. With a capo at fret one and string held down at fret thirteen then at fret six expect to have about 0.2mm (0.008 inch), so 0.1mm is not awful at fret one. Edited July 2, 2016 by EssentialTension Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JTUK Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 [quote name='icastle' timestamp='1467453379' post='3083759'] What is all this fascination with feeler gauges these days? If it feels right and it doesn't rattle, then it is right. [/quote] Me too.... it is the feeling off the strings that counts and I've never bothered with a specific height.... altho I tend to max out the bridge and the strings may choke when playing sitting back.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassBus Posted July 2, 2016 Share Posted July 2, 2016 Well, that's what feeler gauges are. The digits at the end of your hands. No? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
essexbasscat Posted July 3, 2016 Share Posted July 3, 2016 With a capo at fret two, I've set a jazz between 6 -7 thou. I have gone lower to around 4 -5, but found the A and G strings a bit buzzy at those heights (using Fat Beams. Other strings may have different tensions, which will alter what can be achieved before rattle) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luckydog Posted July 4, 2016 Share Posted July 4, 2016 If nut height is too low it shows up playing 3-7 frets as 'back fouling', where strings foul frets behind the held fret. Sometimes which a clanky feel and sound, but lacking elasticity and proper feel when making the note. Too high shows up as a high open string playing action, a long way to depress open stings when fretting and a slow action, not nimble. All other things on setup being equal. HTH! LD Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 High nut also tends to play the first few frets sharp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twincam Posted July 5, 2016 Share Posted July 5, 2016 [quote name='luckydog' timestamp='1467626474' post='3084895'] If nut height is too low it shows up playing 3-7 frets as 'back fouling', where strings foul frets behind the held fret. Sometimes which a clanky feel and sound, but lacking elasticity and proper feel when making the note. Too high shows up as a high open string playing action, a long way to depress open stings when fretting and a slow action, not nimble. All other things on setup being equal. HTH! LD [/quote] This also if you get at around the 13th on the E your string should not make a clanky sh*t sound by fouling from the nut to fretted note. That's just bad and lazy setup if it happens. No it won't really come through the amp but the feel will just be terrible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zzaass Posted March 13, 2017 Share Posted March 13, 2017 Ive been looking for advice about 1st fret action too and found this: http://www.harmonycentral.com/forum/forum/Forums_General/acapella-94/295602- Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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