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Action Figure
Action Figure
I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one of
those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style has
changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested in here
is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much into very low
action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots of hammer-ons and
"typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end). But since I have
returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more
tactile relationship with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it).
I put a little more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being
able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than you
did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height do you
prefer even if you have never changed?)
Thanks for any input.
I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one of
those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style has
changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested in here
is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much into very low
action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots of hammer-ons and
"typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end). But since I have
returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more
tactile relationship with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it).
I put a little more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being
able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than you
did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height do you
prefer even if you have never changed?)
Thanks for any input.
Re: Action Figure
On May 11, 2:50 pm, "SheaNC" <z...@z . net > wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one of
> those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style has
> changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested in here
> is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much into very low
> action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots of hammer-ons and
> "typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end). But since I have
> returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more
> tactile relationship with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it).
> I put a little more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being
> able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than you
> did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height do you
> prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
Nope, never changed. I like low action, just high enough that even if
I dig in there's no buzz. I've played basses with lower action than
how I set mine, but in the scheme of things, mine's pretty low.
BW
On May 11, 2:50 pm, "SheaNC" <z...@z . net > wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one of
> those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style has
> changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested in here
> is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much into very low
> action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots of hammer-ons and
> "typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end). But since I have
> returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more
> tactile relationship with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it).
> I put a little more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being
> able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than you
> did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height do you
> prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
Nope, never changed. I like low action, just high enough that even if
I dig in there's no buzz. I've played basses with lower action than
how I set mine, but in the scheme of things, mine's pretty low.
BW
Re: Action Figure
SheaNC <z@z . net > wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway
> :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took
> one of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that
> my style has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am
> interested in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I
> was very much into very low action (I've never been a slap-style
> player, but used lots of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to
> achieve the same end). But since I have returned to the bass, I find
> I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more tactile relationship
> with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it). I put a little
> more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being able to
> hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height
> than you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what
> height do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
Not me. I've been playing since guitar since 1963 and bass since 1967
and I've always preferred relatively high action. I think part of it
was because I slogged away in the early years without ever availing
myself of the services of a tech, and consequently when my instruments
got out of whack I just adapted. Later, the first time I took a guitar
to a tech I was flabbergasted by the result: buzz city! The tech swore
he had the action perfect, but it just didn't suit my playing style.
Recently I had a tech lower the action on a bass I have just to see if I
could force myself to play under those conditions. If I was real gentle
with fingering/picking it would sound OK but if I didn't consciously
force myself to play that way, the buzz would come back. So I wound up
readjusting the action back to where I like it.
SheaNC <z@z . net > wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway
> :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took
> one of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that
> my style has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am
> interested in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I
> was very much into very low action (I've never been a slap-style
> player, but used lots of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to
> achieve the same end). But since I have returned to the bass, I find
> I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more tactile relationship
> with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it). I put a little
> more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being able to
> hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height
> than you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what
> height do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
Not me. I've been playing since guitar since 1963 and bass since 1967
and I've always preferred relatively high action. I think part of it
was because I slogged away in the early years without ever availing
myself of the services of a tech, and consequently when my instruments
got out of whack I just adapted. Later, the first time I took a guitar
to a tech I was flabbergasted by the result: buzz city! The tech swore
he had the action perfect, but it just didn't suit my playing style.
Recently I had a tech lower the action on a bass I have just to see if I
could force myself to play under those conditions. If I was real gentle
with fingering/picking it would sound OK but if I didn't consciously
force myself to play that way, the buzz would come back. So I wound up
readjusting the action back to where I like it.
Re: Action Figure
On May 11, 8:54 pm, "RichL" <rpleav...@yahoo . com > wrote:
> SheaNC <z...@z . net > wrote:
> > I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway
> > :)
>
> > First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took
> > one of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that
> > my style has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am
> > interested in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I
> > was very much into very low action (I've never been a slap-style
> > player, but used lots of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to
> > achieve the same end). But since I have returned to the bass, I find
> > I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more tactile relationship
> > with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it). I put a little
> > more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being able to
> > hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> > My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> > through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height
> > than you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what
> > height do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> > Thanks for any input.
>
> Not me. I've been playing since guitar since 1963 and bass since 1967
> and I've always preferred relatively high action. I think part of it
> was because I slogged away in the early years without ever availing
> myself of the services of a tech, and consequently when my instruments
> got out of whack I just adapted. Later, the first time I took a guitar
> to a tech I was flabbergasted by the result: buzz city! The tech swore
> he had the action perfect, but it just didn't suit my playing style.
>
> Recently I had a tech lower the action on a bass I have just to see if I
> could force myself to play under those conditions. If I was real gentle
> with fingering/picking it would sound OK but if I didn't consciously
> force myself to play that way, the buzz would come back. So I wound up
> readjusting the action back to where I like it.
I'd have to say this is me too. I know lots of players of the "let
the amp do the work" school who have an action so low you wonder how
the strings clear the frets at all, but I find it VERY hard to hold
back that much. Plus if you have the amp gain cranked for low action I
find it tends to show up all you mistakes and bad technique more! :)
So I'd rate my action as HIGH. Not as high is in the old days but
thats just because today I think basses are better quality so you can
go a bit lower before buzz sets in. I play relatively "hard" and want
a wide dynamic range available. I don't want buzz when I "dig in" So
my action is set for that and I might add a set a rather high (by the
standards of many here) bow in the neck with the truss rod as well to
achieve it. My neck bow is usually at what is usually recommended as
maximum or even a tad more! The goal is eliminate buzz even with hard
playing. Personally my setup doesn't feel "high" at all to me. It's
not hard to finger as far as I'm concerned. But it sure not one of
those setups I've seen where you try the bass and wonder how the guy
plays it with the setup that low!
On May 11, 8:54 pm, "RichL" <rpleav...@yahoo . com > wrote:
> SheaNC <z...@z . net > wrote:
> > I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway
> > :)
>
> > First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took
> > one of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that
> > my style has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am
> > interested in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I
> > was very much into very low action (I've never been a slap-style
> > player, but used lots of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to
> > achieve the same end). But since I have returned to the bass, I find
> > I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more tactile relationship
> > with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it). I put a little
> > more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being able to
> > hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> > My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> > through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height
> > than you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what
> > height do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> > Thanks for any input.
>
> Not me. I've been playing since guitar since 1963 and bass since 1967
> and I've always preferred relatively high action. I think part of it
> was because I slogged away in the early years without ever availing
> myself of the services of a tech, and consequently when my instruments
> got out of whack I just adapted. Later, the first time I took a guitar
> to a tech I was flabbergasted by the result: buzz city! The tech swore
> he had the action perfect, but it just didn't suit my playing style.
>
> Recently I had a tech lower the action on a bass I have just to see if I
> could force myself to play under those conditions. If I was real gentle
> with fingering/picking it would sound OK but if I didn't consciously
> force myself to play that way, the buzz would come back. So I wound up
> readjusting the action back to where I like it.
I'd have to say this is me too. I know lots of players of the "let
the amp do the work" school who have an action so low you wonder how
the strings clear the frets at all, but I find it VERY hard to hold
back that much. Plus if you have the amp gain cranked for low action I
find it tends to show up all you mistakes and bad technique more! :)
So I'd rate my action as HIGH. Not as high is in the old days but
thats just because today I think basses are better quality so you can
go a bit lower before buzz sets in. I play relatively "hard" and want
a wide dynamic range available. I don't want buzz when I "dig in" So
my action is set for that and I might add a set a rather high (by the
standards of many here) bow in the neck with the truss rod as well to
achieve it. My neck bow is usually at what is usually recommended as
maximum or even a tad more! The goal is eliminate buzz even with hard
playing. Personally my setup doesn't feel "high" at all to me. It's
not hard to finger as far as I'm concerned. But it sure not one of
those setups I've seen where you try the bass and wonder how the guy
plays it with the setup that low!
Re: Action Figure
> I know lots of players of the "let the amp do the work" school
> who have an action so low you wonder how
> the strings clear the frets at all
That used to be me... "let the amp do the work." It helped that I had a rig
that sounded the way I wanted it to back in those days. But now, I find I
like the more powerful sound of harder playing. Especially since I like a
little overdrive. :)
> I know lots of players of the "let the amp do the work" school
> who have an action so low you wonder how
> the strings clear the frets at all
That used to be me... "let the amp do the work." It helped that I had a rig
that sounded the way I wanted it to back in those days. But now, I find I
like the more powerful sound of harder playing. Especially since I like a
little overdrive. :)
Re: Action Figure
Same here. As a kid, I had a 1" action at the 12th fret on my P bass. I
assumed that was how it was supposed to be, because upright bass had high
action.
about 3 years later I take it to a tech to get something repaired and he
freaks at my action. I let him set up, and the next time I play it I am
FLYING around the neck. That was probably the single biggest technique
booster I ever had.
I keep my action low-er than it was, but it's still pretty high. I just
can't get any articulation with low action.
"RichL" <rpleavitt@yahoo . com > wrote in message
news:PyMVj.16457$Au2.11805@trnddc07...
> SheaNC <z@z . net > wrote:
> > I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway
> > :)
> >
> > First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took
> > one of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that
> > my style has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am
> > interested in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I
> > was very much into very low action (I've never been a slap-style
> > player, but used lots of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to
> > achieve the same end). But since I have returned to the bass, I find
> > I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more tactile relationship
> > with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it). I put a little
> > more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being able to
> > hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
> >
> > My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> > through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height
> > than you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what
> > height do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
> >
> > Thanks for any input.
>
> Not me. I've been playing since guitar since 1963 and bass since 1967
> and I've always preferred relatively high action. I think part of it
> was because I slogged away in the early years without ever availing
> myself of the services of a tech, and consequently when my instruments
> got out of whack I just adapted. Later, the first time I took a guitar
> to a tech I was flabbergasted by the result: buzz city! The tech swore
> he had the action perfect, but it just didn't suit my playing style.
>
> Recently I had a tech lower the action on a bass I have just to see if I
> could force myself to play under those conditions. If I was real gentle
> with fingering/picking it would sound OK but if I didn't consciously
> force myself to play that way, the buzz would come back. So I wound up
> readjusting the action back to where I like it.
>
>
Same here. As a kid, I had a 1" action at the 12th fret on my P bass. I
assumed that was how it was supposed to be, because upright bass had high
action.
about 3 years later I take it to a tech to get something repaired and he
freaks at my action. I let him set up, and the next time I play it I am
FLYING around the neck. That was probably the single biggest technique
booster I ever had.
I keep my action low-er than it was, but it's still pretty high. I just
can't get any articulation with low action.
"RichL" <rpleavitt@yahoo . com > wrote in message
news:PyMVj.16457$Au2.11805@trnddc07...
> SheaNC <z@z . net > wrote:
> > I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway
> > :)
> >
> > First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took
> > one of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that
> > my style has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am
> > interested in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I
> > was very much into very low action (I've never been a slap-style
> > player, but used lots of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to
> > achieve the same end). But since I have returned to the bass, I find
> > I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more tactile relationship
> > with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it). I put a little
> > more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being able to
> > hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.
> >
> > My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> > through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height
> > than you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what
> > height do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
> >
> > Thanks for any input.
>
> Not me. I've been playing since guitar since 1963 and bass since 1967
> and I've always preferred relatively high action. I think part of it
> was because I slogged away in the early years without ever availing
> myself of the services of a tech, and consequently when my instruments
> got out of whack I just adapted. Later, the first time I took a guitar
> to a tech I was flabbergasted by the result: buzz city! The tech swore
> he had the action perfect, but it just didn't suit my playing style.
>
> Recently I had a tech lower the action on a bass I have just to see if I
> could force myself to play under those conditions. If I was real gentle
> with fingering/picking it would sound OK but if I didn't consciously
> force myself to play that way, the buzz would come back. So I wound up
> readjusting the action back to where I like it.
>
>
Re: Action Figure
SheaNC wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one
> of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style
> has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested
> in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much
> into very low action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots
> of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end).
> But since I have returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action
> because I enjoy a more tactile relationship with the bass (that's the
> best way I can describe it). I put a little more effort in to it, and
> also reap the benefits of being able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of
> easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than
> you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height
> do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
I laid off from 1985 thru about 1992ish, and had exactly the same
thing happen. I have stupid-high action (1/4" at the 12th fret ).
--
Les Cargill
SheaNC wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one
> of those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style
> has changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested
> in here is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much
> into very low action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots
> of hammer-ons and "typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end).
> But since I have returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action
> because I enjoy a more tactile relationship with the bass (that's the
> best way I can describe it). I put a little more effort in to it, and
> also reap the benefits of being able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of
> easing off to minimize fret buzz.
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than
> you did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height
> do you prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
I laid off from 1985 thru about 1992ish, and had exactly the same
thing happen. I have stupid-high action (1/4" at the 12th fret ).
--
Les Cargill
Re: Action Figure
On May 11, 2:50 pm, "SheaNC" <z...@z . net > wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one o=
f
> those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style has
> changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested in here=
> is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much into very lo=
w
> action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots of hammer-ons a=
nd
> "typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end). But since I have
> returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more=
> tactile relationship with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it)=
.
> I put a little more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being
> able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.=
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than yo=
u
> did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height do you=
> prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
For me, the ultimate neck has the lowest action possible with a
manageably even fret rattle when I go for it. I vary my right hand
attack to reflect the situation and song. Some basses I have do this
better than others.
You can have a low action and still have plenty of dynamic range in
your right hand, it's just a question of technique.
Additionally, in certain styles and especially those with a bit of
attitude, you can "hear the fret". It's part of the sound.
On May 11, 2:50 pm, "SheaNC" <z...@z . net > wrote:
> I'm sure this subject has been covered before, but I am asking anyway :)
>
> First, by way of explanation: I've been playing since 1979, but took one o=
f
> those infamous breaks from about 1993 thru 2005. I find that my style has
> changed since resuming playing, but the thing that I am interested in here=
> is regarding string action. In the "old days" I was very much into very lo=
w
> action (I've never been a slap-style player, but used lots of hammer-ons a=
nd
> "typewriter-tapping" stuff to achieve the same end). But since I have
> returned to the bass, I find I prefer higher action because I enjoy a more=
> tactile relationship with the bass (that's the best way I can describe it)=
.
> I put a little more effort in to it, and also reap the benefits of being
> able to hit/pluck/pick harder instead of easing off to minimize fret buzz.=
>
> My question is: have any of you, especially the longtime players, gone
> through a similar change, and prefer quite different action height than yo=
u
> did years before? And what height do you prefer? (also, what height do you=
> prefer even if you have never changed?)
>
> Thanks for any input.
For me, the ultimate neck has the lowest action possible with a
manageably even fret rattle when I go for it. I vary my right hand
attack to reflect the situation and song. Some basses I have do this
better than others.
You can have a low action and still have plenty of dynamic range in
your right hand, it's just a question of technique.
Additionally, in certain styles and especially those with a bit of
attitude, you can "hear the fret". It's part of the sound.
Re: Action Figure
With all this talk about action I was thinking about taking my
cort curbow in for a workover because of fret buzz. I tried
adjusting the neck and the bridge a while ago but that did not
change anything for the better. After reading and pondering
this thread I thought that perhaps the nut could go up a
little bit. I popped it up and put a piece of 1/16 inch
plastic under it and wow, like having a new bass.
peace
dawg
With all this talk about action I was thinking about taking my
cort curbow in for a workover because of fret buzz. I tried
adjusting the neck and the bridge a while ago but that did not
change anything for the better. After reading and pondering
this thread I thought that perhaps the nut could go up a
little bit. I popped it up and put a piece of 1/16 inch
plastic under it and wow, like having a new bass.
peace
dawg
