wateroftyne Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Hi all in response to a suggestion from Mr. Claber in another thread, it would be nice to know what people mean when they say their action is 'low', 'medium' or 'high'. So.. let's take a straw poll. Here's the rules: Measure the distance in mm from the top of the fret (or the board, if it's fretless) to the bottom of the 'E' string at the 3rd, 12th & 17th frets. Post the details here, along with the type of bass, type of string, and wether you consider your action to be 'low', 'medium' or 'high'. I'll go first: '71 Fender Precision, Rosewood, La Bella FL flats .043, .060, .082, .104: 1mm, 3mm, 4mm Medium '73 Fender Precision, Maple, La Bella FL flats .043, .060, .082, .104: 2mm, 4mm, 5mm Medium Fender Geddy Lee Jazz, La Bella FL flats .043, .060, .082, .104: 1mm, 6mm, 6mm Medium (neck hasn't been tweaked to accommodate flats) '71 Fender Fretless Precision, Ebony, La Bella FL flats .043, .060, .082, .104: 2mm, 4mm, 4mm Medium Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 RIM Custom 5, 36" scale, 38-58-78-104-134 nickel rounds: 1.5mm, 2.5mm, 3mm Medium WoT - string gauge matters as well, because higher tension makes action feel higher. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 14, 2009 Author Share Posted August 14, 2009 Good point... edited with info. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BB2000 Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Distance from strings (EADG) to PUP poles would be real interesting as well, and whether bass is active or passive. Off to find a ruler... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete.young Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Ruler? Off to find some feeler gauges. Interesting that everything is medium. Wait until the upright bass players get involved! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Vigier Passion series 2, active With feeler gauges 3rd 1.2mm 12th 1.5mm 17th 2mm Pickups - between 2.5 and 4mm from strings Elixir .40-.95 Tuned DADG Low Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 [quote name='BB2000' post='569631' date='Aug 14 2009, 11:41 PM']Distance from strings (EADG) to PUP poles would be real interesting as well, and whether bass is active or passive.[/quote] That's a different issue though - one for another thread! Ped, am surprised that your action is as high as that - just goes to show how the lighter string gauge makes it feel lower. Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Yeah so was I - actually my low D string is visibly higher than the rest - if we were talking the high D and G it would be far lower (like the popping strings as low as possible) G string is a shade over 1mm at the 17th... Cheers ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Maybe some foo' could bung the data in a spreadsheet and make all kinds of entertaining 3D charts with the data!! maybe we should each measure our highest and lowest strings to get a better overall picture? Or is that getting complicated!! ped Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Ah I forgot - you're tuning that .095 down to D, so way lower in tension than my 2" longer .104 tuned to E. Just looked up a thread from the past: [url="http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/707909"]http://forums.musicplayer.com/ubbthreads.php/topics/707909[/url] And I see my '87 Warwick Streamer with 45-105 s/s rounds was at 2.8mm at the 12th fret. Whilst my Hohner Jack frankenfretless (also with 45-105 s/s rounds) was at 6.3mm at the 12th. Good exercise! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ped Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Makes me sweat just imagining it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mr.T Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Fender suggest 2.5mm (E string) to 2mm (G string) as a good starting point.... (IIRC). Therefore, as the most popular manufacturer: Anything lower than that is low. Anything higher than that is high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Beer of the Bass Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 Home made walnut thing, Dunlop 45-105 nickel roundwounds; 2mm, 3.5mm, 4mm. Medium (was quite a bit higher until a couple of weeks ago) Newly acquired Fender Highway One Jazz, 45-100 D'Addario Chromes flatwounds; 1mm, 2.5mm, 3mm. This is low by my standards. It's still pretty much as it came from the shop, so I guess that's the factory spec. Can measure my double bass if anyone's curious... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alexclaber Posted August 14, 2009 Share Posted August 14, 2009 [quote name='Beer of the Bass' post='569676' date='Aug 15 2009, 12:39 AM']Can measure my double bass if anyone's curious...[/quote] I am! Alex Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 I knew my feeler gauges would come in handy one day... Ibanez BTB775PB: D'Addario Chromes (flats) ECB81-5SL .045/.065/.080/.100/.132 35" scale, tuned BEADG 3rd: 1.6mm 12th: 2.6mm 17th: 2.8mm (all measured on the B string -- can't get the feeler gauges to the E accurately!) I call that Low. In fact, I want to raise it a touch. Music Man SUB 4: D'Addario Nickel Rounds EXL160-5 (with the A string unused) .050/.070/.105/.135 34" scale, tuned CGDA (in fifths) 3rd: 1.7mm 12th: 3.2mm 17th: 3.3mm Low (It's the absolute lowest it can go for me, because I play this bass HARD with a pick. Any lower and it buzzes like a wasp in a copper pipe.) Squier VM Jazz fretless: Thomastik Jazz Flats JF344 .043/.056/.070/.100 34" scale, tuned EADG 3rd: 1.9mm 12th: 3.4mm 17th: 3.5mm Medium (but could be much lower at the 3rd if I filed the nut down a bit) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 [quote name='wateroftyne' post='569618' date='Aug 14 2009, 11:16 PM']'71 Fender Fretless Precision, Ebony, La Bella FL flats .043, .060, .082, .104: 2mm, 4mm, 4mm Medium[/quote] Glad to see the half-rounds have come off. You didn't get a chance to measure it with them on, did you? They were completely unplayably low to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wateroftyne Posted August 15, 2009 Author Share Posted August 15, 2009 [quote name='BottomEndian' post='569753' date='Aug 15 2009, 09:47 AM']Glad to see the half-rounds have come off. You didn't get a chance to measure it with them on, did you? They were completely unplayably low to me.[/quote] Nah.. those strings were hopeless. I've burned them. I've put a month-old set of La Bellas on it and it's come alive again... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwilym Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Smith BSR5J 1mm, 1.5mm, 2mm, 2mm at the 3, 12, 17, 24 frets respectively. Low. Can't remember which strings. Hi-Beams perhaps. Groove Shoppe GS5 1mm, 2mm, 2.5mm 2.5mm at the 3, 12, 17, 24 frets respectively. (and was lower when I got it). Low+. Elixirs 135's MTD 535 1mm, 1.5mm, 1.5mm, 1.5mm at the 3, 12, 17, 21 frets respectively. Low to Low-. Elite Players nickels. 125 set i think F BN5 1mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 2.75 at the 3, 12, 17, 21 frets respectively. Low+. La Bella Supersteps that were on it when I got it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lateralus462 Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 (edited) MM Stingray (Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 0.50-105) 3mm, 6mm, 6.5mm Ibanez EDB700 (Ernie Ball Regular Slinky 0.50-105) 3.5mm, 5.5mm, 6mm Squier VMJ Fretless (Rotosound Flats - don't know what gauge) 2mm, 4mm, 4.5mm I like quite a high action. Edited August 15, 2009 by lateralus462 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BottomEndian Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 [quote name='Gwilym' post='569774' date='Aug 15 2009, 10:25 AM']MTD 535 1mm, 1.5mm, 1.5mm, 1.5mm at the 3, 12, 17, 21 frets respectively. Low to Low-. Elite Players nickels. 125 set i think[/quote] That's astonishing. Have you had your plucking fingers surgically replaced with feathers? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrenochrome Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 Soz, I don't have time to do this properly. All my basses are about 3-3.5mm at the 12th fret which I consider to be MEDIUM action. All my basses tune EbAbDbGb have nickel rounds 45-105. My basses tuned DGCF (or CGCF) have nickel rounds 50-110. Strings are mainly Elites. ps I have my acoustic bass much higher for a better workout and more unamped volume. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gwilym Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 [quote name='BottomEndian' post='569776' date='Aug 15 2009, 10:28 AM'] That's astonishing. Have you had your plucking fingers surgically replaced with feathers?[/quote] it's not bad - I actually only got it this low recently after having the bass for 2.5years. I went with a slightly lighter gauge than usual, and some nickel strings for a slightly less bright tone. I actually tend to dig in when I play, but if I use a lighter touch there's not much fret noise at all. The measurments are not highly accurate, so I was probably going to the nearest 0.25mm - but saying that, it's now got the lowest of the basses I have. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
warwickhunt Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 (edited) Hmmm... I guess the action on the Sadowsky may not come as a surprise considering comments in another thread but here goes; Sadowsky Metro 'PJ', (I 'think') Sadowsky blues .040, .060, .080, .110: 0.8mm, 1.5mm, 1.5mm Ahem... Low Zon Sonus, DR Sunbeams .045, .065, .085, .105: 0.7mm, 1.5mm, 1.6mm Low Bolin NS4, DR Sunbeams .045, .065, .085, .105: 0.8mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm Low Warwick Streamer Stage I (Owld Red), DR Sunbeams .045, .065, .085, .105: 1.0mm, 2.0mm, 2.0mm Medium Warwick Streamer Stage II, DR Sunbeams .045, .065, .085, .105: 1.0mm, 1.6mm, 1.6mm Low I have an engineering mate who loaned me some kit to take the measurements so I'm fairly confident in the accuracy. <edit> Just looked back at other actions on this thread... I'll stop trying to get mine lower I think! Edited August 15, 2009 by warwickhunt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrkelly Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 On my Tarrantino upright it measures 6, 9, 9mm on the E string. Take off the E capo so the string becomes a low C and it jumps to 12, 12, 11mm for the same positions. Scale length is 110cm/134cm extended. Strings are heavy Pirastro original flatchromes. Height wise it's a medium orchestral setup but the string length is quite big. I've got big hands though. Haven't measured the electrics yet, though I'd consider them medium. I can't play dynamics with anything too low. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Etienne Posted August 15, 2009 Share Posted August 15, 2009 (edited) Here are mine- I used a tape measure, so not as accurate as I'd like! Both are passive, in standard EADG tuning, and strung with dead-sounding D'addario EXL170 nickelwounds (45,65,80,100). The strings on the Squier are particularly old- they've been on 2 other basses already! '83 (I think!) Squier JV Precision bass: 1.5mm, 3.5mm, 4mm. MEDIUM action IMO. '98 Fender USA Stack-knob Jazz Bass reissue (Nordstrand NJ4 pickups): 2mm, 5mm, 5mm. MEDIUM-HIGH action IMO. EDIT: I'd say that I play fingerstyle most of the time, but I also like to get out the pick for heavier stuff... Edited August 15, 2009 by Etienne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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