Guest Jecklin Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 I've never measured at the 17th fret before so gave it a try just now. On my 4string fretless the E is a shade over 1.5mm and the strings get gradually lower to about 1.25mm on the G. I'd like lower really, but the neck isn't the most stable and i can't get the relief set any straighter (it is very straight, but i'd like dead straight) without buzzing on the lowest notes on certain days where the humidity changes. I play with a light touch and use 40-100 status ground wound strings Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 [quote name='steantval' timestamp='1508868124' post='3395015'] Is that the old or new £1 coin ? [/quote] It was the old coin at the time. I'd still try it with the new one. Pup height isn't too critical IMHO. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 I never measured my string height before. I tend to set the neck relief as per the manufacturers spec usually and then get the strings as low as possible. However, I've just measure my p bass (I can't be bothered to get the Ibby and Jazz bass out of their cases, they'll be very similar anyway) and to my surprise it was 1.9mm @17th fret on the E string. I always thought my action was on the high side but apparently not. I've been trying to fix up the basses at my son's school. They're Encore E4 p basses mainly. The lowest I can get the action on them is 3.5mm. Any lower and even the lightest of playing they buzz, rattle and choke. I don't rate them at all, there are so many issues with them. I find the 3.5mm almost unplayable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 I bought a MiM Precision off of someone on here which was at just over 6mm when I got it. Now at a much nicer (for me) 2.5mm. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nilebodgers Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 [quote name='Marvin' timestamp='1508873429' post='3395076'] .... I've been trying to fix up the basses at my son's school. They're Encore E4 p basses mainly. The lowest I can get the action on them is 3.5mm. Any lower and even the lightest of playing they buzz, rattle and choke. I don't rate them at all, there are so many issues with them. I find the 3.5mm almost unplayable. [/quote] They probably need some degree of fret levelling, but having that done commercially will cost more than a brand new Encore given they are under £100 new! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 [quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1508850596' post='3394844'] I use a 5p piece. They vary in thickness slightly but I've found one that is as near as makes no difference, 2mm thick [/quote] [quote name='nilebodgers' timestamp='1508854506' post='3394881'] A standard 2p coin is 2.03mm when new - pretty much ideal for a quick action check. (a hair over 5/64) [/quote] [quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1508865310' post='3394984'] That's a good one. I also use a £1 coin for the distance from strings to pickup. [/quote] [quote name='steantval' timestamp='1508868124' post='3395015'] Is that the old or new £1 coin ? [/quote] [quote name='nilebodgers' timestamp='1508876205' post='3395114'] They probably need some degree of fret levelling, but having that done commercially will cost more than a brand new Encore given they are under £100 new! [/quote] If you add it all up, it's an expensive pursuit this bass lark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 [quote name='nilebodgers' timestamp='1508876205' post='3395114'] They probably need some degree of fret levelling, but having that done commercially will cost more than a brand new Encore given they are under £100 new! [/quote] I was given one for my Daughter, it sits unused in its bag while she has the EB3 I fixed up. The encore is truly horrible and I would think it would put off anyone who attempted to learn on one. When you think what you can get second hand for under £100 it's a no brainer but sadly schools are usually limited to buying new or at least second hand from 'reputable suppliers'. Last year I picked up a cracking Aria for £60, great fast action that's plays beautifully. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kevin Dean Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 When I got my Shuker JJB, Jon set it up the same as JJ has his & I was expecting it to be High . I've also had a go on one of Mr Kings Alembics & I was surprised how high that action was . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 [quote name='Kevin Dean' timestamp='1508886775' post='3395208'] When I got my Shuker JJB, Jon set it up the same as JJ has his & I was expecting it to be High . I've also had a go on one of Mr Kings Alembics & I was surprised how high that action was . [/quote]so how high was the Shuker? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marvin Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 [quote name='nilebodgers' timestamp='1508876205' post='3395114'] They probably need some degree of fret levelling, but having that done commercially will cost more than a brand new Encore given they are under £100 new! [/quote] [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1508880494' post='3395176'] I was given one for my Daughter, it sits unused in its bag while she has the EB3 I fixed up. The encore is truly horrible and I would think it would put off anyone who attempted to learn on one. When you think what you can get second hand for under £100 it's a no brainer but sadly schools are usually limited to buying new or at least second hand from 'reputable suppliers'. Last year I picked up a cracking Aria for £60, great fast action that's plays beautifully. [/quote] They are probably the worst basses I've ever encountered. They have definitely got the highest action of any bass I've played. The amount you'd need to spend to get it decent, you'd be better off getting a Squier or better still entry level Yamaha. If it'd been my first bass, I'd have probably given up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipuri Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 I have 3 Vigiers with ridiculous low string action. There are, indeed, little differences between them. The latest, a Vigier Arpege 6 string has a string action of no more than 1mm at the 24. fret for all strings from B to C (open string but with zero fret), I never thought possible. I have a drop a tuning (two halftones lower) on the Arpege. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipuri Posted October 27, 2017 Share Posted October 27, 2017 Wanted to add that I use Elixir Nickel Super Light strings with a .125 B and .032 C string which may support noiseless playing with such low string action. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) [quote name='Sipuri' timestamp='1509133184' post='3396968'] I have 3 Vigiers with ridiculous low string action. There are, indeed, little differences between them. The latest, a Vigier Arpege 6 string has a string action of no more than 1mm at the 24. fret for all strings from B to C (open string but with zero fret), I never thought possible. I have a drop a tuning (two halftones lower) on the Arpege. [/quote] Welcome to the forum. May we know what the action is at the 17th please? Edited October 28, 2017 by SpondonBassed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 And can we see pics! There’s a Vigier porn thread somewhere Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PaulWarning Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 (edited) sure hope the Police don't take two years to clear him, their usual investigation time it seems, we need him in Australia Whoops wrong thread, not sure how that happened Edited October 28, 2017 by PaulWarning Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipuri Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 Pics will come tomorrow. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 [quote name='Sipuri' timestamp='1509133184' post='3396968'] I have 3 Vigiers with ridiculous low string action. There are, indeed, little differences between them. The latest, a Vigier Arpege 6 string has a string action of no more than 1mm at the 24. fret for all strings from B to C (open string but with zero fret), I never thought possible. I have a drop a tuning (two halftones lower) on the Arpege. [/quote] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest MoJo Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 [quote name='T-Bay' timestamp='1508875769' post='3395111'] I bought a MiM Precision off of someone on here which was at just over 6mm when I got it. Now at a much nicer (for me) 2.5mm. [/quote] This is my experience a lot of the time recently, hence the question and the thread. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T-Bay Posted October 28, 2017 Share Posted October 28, 2017 [quote name='MoJo' timestamp='1509221236' post='3397443'] This is my experience a lot of the time recently, hence the question and the thread. [/quote] I guess it must work for some people, certainly no doubting the ability of the guy I had mine off, he was more than a bit handy but I couldn't play it like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 [quote name='PaulWarning' timestamp='1509181747' post='3397150'] sure hope the Police don't take two years to clear him, their usual investigation time it seems, we need him in Australia Whoops wrong thread, not sure how that happened [/quote] ...while the gentleman holds the neck of the stuffed goose absolutely rigid... Whoops, me too. Soz Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipuri Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 (edited) some pics taken some minutes ago. Nothing touches the bass except the single match resp. the string ruler on one photo. [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/tkh3y48od50tk0x/1%20strings%20south.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....0south.jpg?dl=0[/url] [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/va8pn1ltavzhcql/2%20c%20string%20match%20head%20exceeding%20string%20by%20f.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....by%20f.jpg?dl=0[/url] [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/av3qvaw68b8zfkt/3%20C%20string%20hits%20ruler%20at%20.75mm%20at%2017th%20fret.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....20fret.jpg?dl=0[/url] [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/1e55ksq68rzowgp/5%20a%20d%20string%20match%20head%20exceeding%20string.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....string.jpg?dl=0[/url] [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/kuxiaerurrqinhr/6%20c%20string%20match%20head%20exeeding%20string.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....string.jpg?dl=0[/url] [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/f08fjkj9uqakv2l/7%20parallel%20exceeding.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....eeding.jpg?dl=0[/url] the string ruler pic shows the 17th fret. Distances at B-string a tick higher but not exceeding 1mm distance at 24th fret. Did not adjust anything after taking the bass out of his box after having received it, just changed the strings to Elixir Nickel super light + .125 and .032 not adjusting anything the bridge (Kahler). The bass does not have trussrod (neck ist carbon/wood-construction). It was build in 1995 (the only 6st Vigier has built in that year, 1 of 27 in total produced by Vigier). I bought the bass 3 weeks ago at tools4tones in the netherlands (I live near Munich). The two Passion I own (5-strings) have a similar low action comparable as the 6str shown here, especially the 1994 5str. The 2004 (mono rail bridge) is a little different. Edited October 29, 2017 by Sipuri Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Highfox Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 Mine seem to be all around 4-5mm at the 17th I do dig in a bit and don't like any buzz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipuri Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 ..some Vigier pics adds: https://www.dropbox.com/s/gohazmqmpf9zljj/Vigier%20Front2.jpg?dl=0 https://www.dropbox.com/s/88msa8t32o464g8/Vigier%20Family%20Back.jpg?dl=0 6str "burgundy red" Custom 1995 bought 2017 in NL 5str "clear blue night" Custom 2004 bought 2017 in Paris 5 str "clear red" 1995 bought 2014 in GY I use the Vigiers only in my Progrock Band. Rock, Pop, Jazz, Soul - I only use my beloved Fender Jazzys (all Standards). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sipuri Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 [quote name='Highfox' timestamp='1509286602' post='3397782'] Mine seem to be all around 4-5mm at the 17th I do dig in a bit and don't like any buzz. [/quote] Yes it's a question if taste but also of playing style and depending on bass naturally. My Fender would never allow a string action compared to the Vigiers nor does my playing style with Rock, Heavy etc... music. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted October 29, 2017 Share Posted October 29, 2017 [quote name='Sipuri' timestamp='1509287165' post='3397786'] ..some Vigier pics adds: [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/gohazmqmpf9zljj/Vigier%20Front2.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....Front2.jpg?dl=0[/url] [url="https://www.dropbox.com/s/88msa8t32o464g8/Vigier%20Family%20Back.jpg?dl=0"]https://www.dropbox....20Back.jpg?dl=0[/url] 6str "burgundy red" Custom 1995 bought 2017 in NL 5str "clear blue night" Custom 2004 bought 2017 in Paris 5 str "clear red" 1995 bought 2014 in GY I use the Vigiers only in my Progrock Band. Rock, Pop, Jazz, Soul - I only use my beloved Fender Jazzys (all Standards). [/quote] Very nice Stick them up here http://basschat.co.uk/topic/160340-vigier-porn/page__st__90__p__3259839__hl__vigier%20porn__fromsearch__1#entry3259839 I'll just update it with a pic of my trio Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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