dyerseve

I still dont get it - why would you want to know how much you need to change it at the 12th fret - that only services half of the fretboard... Typically I never measure the action when setting up any of my basses, I just keep going lower until fret buzz intervenes. Then I raise the action a fraction at a time until there is no fret buzz on the last few frets as they are always the last to buzz. I have only measured the action on this occasion to compare it to what others are achieving with their P basses

For me it makes zero sense to measure at the 12th fret as it's not the highest the action will be and, depending on the relief set, will not be indicative of the action across the neck.

Sorry for any confusion, I am measuring 2.5mm action(distance between bottom of the string and the top of the fret) at the 20th fret

I can't get the action lower without getting buzzing

thank you, yes I have already seen that. What would help is if I had a brain! I just measured the relief again(corrrectly this time though!) and I am getting around 2,5mm. Still much too high for my liking though. My go to bass is a '87 JD Thumb which plays like a dream with an action of no more 1,5mm across all the strings.

thank you, that is very useful to know. Looks like I need to get a pro to sort out the frets in that case. Out of interest, what kind of relief have you set to achieve that action?

thanks everyone for your input, very helpful. I am going to pass the info on to my friend. I am hoping to borrow them from him some time - if I manage that I will report back on how I get on with them.

Howdy, so I have setup many a bass but this is my first Fender and I am struggling to get anything approaching a low action. I have set the truss rod to give the recommended relief(and also tried experimenting just in case). Ive tried neck shims and that overcame the limitations of the saddle height adjustment screws. However I still cant get a low action - currently it is 4-4,5mm at the last fret! Is this normal for Fenders?

Nice to see you here - love your basses and your covers on Facebook!

A friend of mine has two Hofner basses but has no idea about their history or even a model number. If you have any info about either model I would appreciate your help. Thank you

You're right, it is a lovely instrument and it is a shame people cant see past the paint scheme to see that. I have decided i will be refinishing it and will be interested to find out re the pickguard screw holes. I'm hoping to refinish it with a natural finish - either like a Warwick bass with just wax/Oil or with Danish oil. Any advice on stripping the paint gratefully received. I'm thinking heat gun and scraper?

I should be more careful starting threads next time as I've almost started a ConFlagration! 🤓

I bought the bass on a whim whilst buying another bass from the same seller. She just called it the US flag so perhaps it isn't particularly well known here. I knew it was one of the flags the Confederates used in battle and that's all. I just liked the look of the bass and wanted to try our a Stingray... As it is, I think I will end up stripping it and, depending on the wood grain, go with a natural finish or have it painted white which I believe was the original colour.

I only play bass at home so again that isn't an issue.

The only people who come to my house are people who know me and know that I detest racism and the far right and Trump for that matter. So being embarrassed by the way a bass of mine is painted is not something I've considered

I am neither of those and will only be playing it at home so it doesnt bother me.

It's a musical instrument at the end of the day and it's paint scheme shouldn't dictate your ability to enjoy it as such. Not planning on having it refinished as I am not bothered by the way it looks.

Thanks. Yeah the flag wasn't my choice - that's how it came.

A very recent addition to my stable and my first ever Stingray - a '78 with an '89 neck. All the hardware, inc the tuners is from '78, just the neck was replaced at some point for some reason. Given how the neck looks though, I'm not complaining! Loving the tones this bass puts out! Just having to adjust to my 2nd ever lacquered neck - I normally play Warwicks...

Beautiful bass, even if it's back to front!

thank you to all of you for your input. So it's more accurate to call it an '81 Precision in that case - that's cool because that is my YOB! Yes it's a bit of a boat anchor at 4,9Kg but I mostly play sitting down. I know Fenders from this era aren't that highly regarded but im really digging this bass so far.

Can the Fender experts here please tell me if this bass is all original. I have plenty of experience with basses, but this is my first Fender! It looks all original to me, but I'm just making guesses. That said, the straplocks are Schaller so im fairly certain they arent original. Albeit Musicman were using rebranded Schaller tuners at the same time.... So I'm pretty sure this is a '79 Fullerton....

I found this after some digging...

Thank you very much, that was extremely helpful 😀