DJpullchord Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Hello basssters. I need to play a little faster and perhaps lowering my strings may help. Is there anything one should consider before getting the Allen keys out? Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Browning Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 No expert but I would be looking at the neck relief, the nut and making sure the frets are even. All these could affect the action and your ability to just wind down the bridge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris_b Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 Lower away. If it works, fine, if it doesn't (nothing lost) go back to a higher action and consider Steve's suggestions. I improved the feel of several top end basses by getting the frets levelled and a set up at the Bass Gallery. IMO definitely worth considering. I've also seen some very fast players with high actions, so focus on your technique and just try to play faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Coilte Posted February 27, 2018 Share Posted February 27, 2018 (edited) 1 hour ago, DJpullchord said: I need to play a little faster Perhaps it could be a simple case of ..practicing.. in order to play faster ? Unless your action is exceptionally high. Edited February 27, 2018 by Coilte Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJpullchord Posted February 27, 2018 Author Share Posted February 27, 2018 Yeh, it’s quite high. Undoubtedly, I do need to practice more. I’m not super slow though. Really just trying to nail the scales in ‘immigrant song’ consistently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DJpullchord Posted March 3, 2018 Author Share Posted March 3, 2018 I’ve dropped the strings as far as they can go and it’s like a different instrument. I can now hammer on pull off and tap with ease. Also slap and pop, although I’m in two rock bands so absolutely pointless but does annoy the wife. Tone is different though, not as rich, how does distance of strings to pickup affect tone? thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnR Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Also practice playing with a lighter touch as muscle tension is the enemy of speed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave_bass5 Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 3 hours ago, DJpullchord said: I’ve dropped the strings as far as they can go and it’s like a different instrument. I can now hammer on pull off and tap with ease. Also slap and pop, although I’m in two rock bands so absolutely pointless but does annoy the wife. Tone is different though, not as rich, how does distance of strings to pickup affect tone? thanks! Maybe try lowering the pick ups as well. Now the strings are closer to them the tone will change. Its worth noting that the lower you go with the strings, the more chance you get of fret buzz/clank. These can also effect the tone. As John said, you might need a slightly softer touch now as well. I suppose it deepens on how low you went. Did you take any measurements? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpondonBassed Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 3 hours ago, DJpullchord said: I’ve dropped the strings as far as they can go and it’s like a different instrument. I can now hammer on pull off and tap with ease. Also slap and pop, although I’m in two rock bands so absolutely pointless but does annoy the wife. Tone is different though, not as rich, how does distance of strings to pickup affect tone? thanks! I think you need to consider making a similar adjustment to your pick ups as the strings now sit closer to them. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 Adjusting pickup height may help. However, some people think that substanitially lowering action, or substantially raising action, also can affect tone as the strings have less (or more) space in which to vibrate giving a richer (or not) harmonic spectrum. That's why with a lowered action one needs to play with a lighter touch; with a higher action one can more freely dig in. But I think it's fair to say that this claim is disputed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 (edited) 2 hours ago, EssentialTension said: However, some people think that substanitially lowering action, or substantially raising action, also can affect tone as the strings have less (or more) space in which to vibrate giving a richer (or not) harmonic spectrum. But I think it's fair to say that this claim is disputed. It sure is. A while back I put forward the notion that a string with a higher action sounds better than one with a low action (regardless of pickup height) and was roundly castigated by dullards. I still think it's true, however. Thpppppp! Edited March 3, 2018 by discreet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EssentialTension Posted March 3, 2018 Share Posted March 3, 2018 And due to being no dullard I agree with discreet. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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