Evil Undead Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) [quote name='lettsguitars' timestamp='1341135551' post='1714065'] He likes low action, but dead necks dont seem to bother him [/quote] Who is "he"? And I know you're not a Fender fan, but shush! There are a more people on here who love Fenders than don't. Edited July 1, 2012 by Evil Undead Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 5mm is not unplayable for me, but its certainly not going to be enjoyable, a few songs at a jam night on the house bass would be OK. On the other hand I could manage a high action easier than a super low action, I used to fall into the unplayable camp on any of EBS freaks basses but he has raised up a bit over the years, sounds silly but I really did struggle to get a tune out of them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1341136050' post='1714074'] Who is "he"? And I know you're not a Fender fan, but this one has no dead spots at all. [/quote] I did fix that for him! Im presuming he is suggesting that a neck that needs a shim is shot, which is nonsense anyway. Edited July 1, 2012 by stingrayPete1977 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gafbass02 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I'm another that likes a crazy low action, I find it almost impossible to play with speed, dexterity and subtlety on high action basses. But many people do and I admire them for it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='stingrayPete1977' timestamp='1341136202' post='1714079'] I did fix that for him! Im presuming he is suggesting that a neck that needs a shim is shot, which is nonsense anyway. [/quote] I saw that just after I posted, thanks Pete! Aye. When I got it the action was 2mm which isn't quite low enough for me and there was no room left in the saddle on the E. So I shimmed it. Sounds just as good now as it did before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='Evil Undead' timestamp='1341138424' post='1714117'] I saw that just after I posted, thanks Pete! Aye. When I got it the action was 2mm which isn't quite low enough for me and there was no room left in the saddle on the E. So I shimmed it. Sounds just as good now as it did before. [/quote] Blimey! There must be more rattles than a skeletons disco! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Evil Undead Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='Hobbayne' timestamp='1341139024' post='1714139'] Blimey! There must be more rattles than a skeletons disco! [/quote] Nope! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1341135931' post='1714071'] E string 12th fret at 5mm sounds fine to me: Lakland Decade = approx 3mm = very low, IMO Fender Precision = approx 5mm = slightly low, IMO Takamine B10 = approx 7mm = not low, IMO Upright = approx 9mm = "Couldn't play it 'cos the action was too high" sounds a bit wimpy. [/quote] Are you measuring bottom of the string to top of the fret? or the fingerboard? 7mm bottom of string to top of fret is... quite some action! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1341142100' post='1714191'] Are you measuring bottom of the string to top of the fret? or the fingerboard? 7mm bottom of string to top of fret is... quite some action! [/quote] From the fret in the cases of the Decade and Precision, which are fretted. From the fingerboard in the cases of the Takamine and the upright, which have no frets. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcnach Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='EssentialTension' timestamp='1341143103' post='1714200'] From the fret in the cases of the Decade and Precision, which are fretted. From the fingerboard in the cases of the Takamine and the upright, which have no frets. [/quote] ah, but you play upright... you can probably hammer a nail into the wall with your fingers and it'd feel fine to you my basses vary, but they're generally 3mm-ish. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gjones Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 (edited) I used to have super low action on my old Geddy Lee which would play great at home but sometimes, if the room I was playing in was was warm, the neck would move slightly and some notes would end up choking. After playing some other bassists instruments, I realised that it isn't a crime to like a higher action and it does give you a clearer sound without fret rattle. 5 mm is a little high for comfort though and I recommend a little tweak of the truss rod to get the neck a little straighter and allow you to get your strings a bit lower by a mm or two. Edited July 1, 2012 by gjones Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Just checked my P and the E is a bit less than 2mm .. maybe 1.8? If you gie it laldy you get a bit of buzz, however it sounds SO much better if you don't! With heavy guage strings and heavy pick playing i've had it at around 3mm without any issues. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='mcnach' timestamp='1341143898' post='1714214'] ah, but you play upright... you can probably hammer a nail into the wall with your fingers and it'd feel fine to you [/quote] I wish I was that powerful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BassTractor Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 As a noob, I want my basses to be [b]different[/b] first and foremost, from very low to very high action. I don't want to train on just one technique, but from day one wanted to train my fingers on the differences. I wanna be able to pick up any bass and play it reasonably well. IME this is better than getting very good at one action only. May I divert this thread for a second to ask what that wrong ruler thingie is called that one uses to measure the action? I ordered one locally, but it never arrived. Now I want to use the interwebs to order one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I like the sound of the string hitting the frets when I pluck hard. it's part of my sound, so I like a lower action so that I don't have to play every note with maximum strength! I don't have it THAT low though because otherwise I'd get choking and rubbish sustain... It's probably about 4mm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I would still class 4mm as a high action TBH Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oopsdabassist Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Just measured my Jazz, 4mm at 12th fret, and I still get a bit of buzz, best tweak the neck I think. The EB3 has just under 3mm and sounds awsome! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spike Vincent Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Just a thought,are we measuring from the finger board or the frets? My first bass back in the 70's had a string height measured in inches,so that may have something to do with why I find 5mm string height tolerable... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gust0o Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 Hey, wow! All people are different; all basses are different; all settings are different as a result! Whodafunkit? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hobbayne Posted July 1, 2012 Author Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='Spike Vincent' timestamp='1341168710' post='1714650'] Just a thought,are we measuring from the finger board or the frets? [/quote] Hmm! I measured from the finger board in my OP, maybe my action is not that high after all? Just goes to show what a wimp my mate is! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 I'd say we should all be measuring off the fret to the underside of the string, that allows for fret height and string gauges. 5mm off the boards not so bad then, he is a wimp! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Tipping Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 why would anybody measure action off the board? (unless it was a fretless) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roland Rock Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marlin-Bass-Guitar-/290735930588?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43b1363cdc#ht_500wt_922 What do you reckon the action is like on that bad boy? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mushers Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 [quote name='Roland Rock' timestamp='1341172136' post='1714730'] [url="http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Marlin-Bass-Guitar-/290735930588?pt=UK_Musical_Instruments_Guitars_CV&hash=item43b1363cdc#ht_500wt_922"]http://www.ebay.co.u...dc#ht_500wt_922[/url] What do you reckon the action is like on that bad boy? [/quote] wow Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stingrayPete1977 Posted July 1, 2012 Share Posted July 1, 2012 The Marlin guitars were about the same! Awful awful instruments. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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