String Height for Electric Bass: Why do I have my action so high? - Vlog

[@Drjackdempsey9644]

I love a P-Bass with high action and flat wounds. People, stop listening to people who give you music rules. There are no rules and that’s the essence!

[@IvanRx76]

High action, is key to a good percussive sound

[@flukyreview9128]

@@IvanRx76really? Marcus Miller prefers low action and he has very percussive and dynamic sound. He is also a legendary bassist. Hmmmm are you a millennial?

[@romangastelummusic]

@@flukyreview9128high action isn’t practical for slap bass. When it comes to a P Bass with flatwounds, higher action can give you much better sustain and also a bigger thumpier sound because you’re able to dig in more. Nobody is gonna really be slapping a P Bass with flatwounds compared to if they have roundwounds anyway..

[@gcvrsa]

If you action isn't high, you can't dig in, and you can't get the kind of sound you get when you dig in. It's really just as simple as that. As a rock bass player, my sound is absolutely dependent upon having high action, or I get unacceptable fret buzz and clank. A certain amount of clank is desirable, but too much is too much.

[@caljerm]

Yes - dialing in the perfect amount of "clank" is key 👍

[@stevebadachmusic]

that action looks pretty normal to me! certainly not low, but it's not unreasonable or anything.

[@estebanb7166]

Right. Seems normal to me, as well.

[@BassJapanDirect]

Yup, looks to be about 2mm which is industry standard

[@richardrosemusic]

Yes but many Fodera (etc) owners love to have suuuuper low action. It probably only seems high to them. I play vintage radius basses - so super low isn't really an option. Im fine with that.

[@ts4gv]

Right.... until he said A THIRD OF AN INCH?!?!?!?

[@cruedevil71]

I used to play with super low action and like you I have found that my tone is light years better with my action at the height you have yours set. Much more fun to play as well.

[@justmarc2015]

WTF I just found this channel and he says "Hello, coffee drinkers" as I'm drinking a coffee.

[@erikmuench8023]

Lolol, ded...

[@eloryansuavo]

just did the same, lol

[@rodolfoamaralguitar]

Interesting debate, but it is important to remember that string action is directly affected by nut action and the neck relief. Sometimes people raise the action a lot because the nut slot is so low that the open string buzzes; or raise the action because the neck is convex, again generating buzzes. These two factor influences a lot in the sound quality. Low action with good sound requires a perfect instrument setup (nut depth high, trussrod and fret levelling). As a guitar player I found that high action is not good for the intonation, especially when play chords.

[@evantarleton1]

I am currently working on a higher bass action. My friend and bass mentor plays with “paper-thin” action as you said and had set up my new bass that way. I struggled to play it that way for several years before finally starting to raise my action bit by bit. I am, incidentally, using several of your books in the process, including II-V-Is, your chops builder books and, especially your chordal harmony books. They are all wonderful and help immensely in this process and in making me a better bassist generally. It’s very slow, and I often as you said, have days where it does not seem to be working, but I enjoy every step of the journey. Thanks for the ongoing inspiration, Janek!

[@kradmehr]

Janek thank you for this! you have been and still are a huge inspiration to me firstly as a human being and secondly as a bass player. You were the main reason I started to raise my action about 4 years into my playing. Around me it was always advertised as if low action is the best choice. I've found the opposite to be true for me. It has had a huge impact on my sound, control and awareness. THANKS TO YOU.

[@nephilymbass1]

We played gig opening for one of my favorite bass players last October(Ryan Martinie Soften the Glare) he let me check out his main bass and I noticed his action was much higher than mine. It’s taken almost a year but I’ve raised mine a lot and feel it does really allow me to have much more control of tone with my hands.

[@shawnalove5050]

I do the intonation on my 2 basses and guitars. I've found that having the action too low (for a particular neck relief bow) can kind of choke the sound down. I notice less sustain and really just not as "open" sounding. This could also be because the pickups are so close to the strings. But, in general I found that there's a happy spot where the bass sounds really "free" and airy and that's when the strings are actually HIGHER. The strings vibrate more freely, I get less of that clacking fret noise. And it just basically allows me to play harder because I can really dig into the strings and bang on it! Way easier to pop and slap too!

[@TheGreyCrusadeStudio]

I started with high action, but found it very difficult to be able to tap and solo past the 12th fret. Also I had to go to the doctor a couple of time because it caused me to have tennis elbow due to the high amount of force I was applying with my left. So I turned it down to as low action as possible (without massive fret buzz) and I have found I can do more and I can be more creative since I don't have to worry about any injuries.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

Well.. there are plenty of (professional) players with high actions who do not have those issues. And what about all the upright players? Obviously for tapping and stuff like that you need lower action.

[@invictussol2116]

I had the same issue before. Everyone has different wrist strength so I hope others will understand. hahaha

[@solkvist8668]

@@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931people are different. Some people get RSI or carpal tunnel, some don’t, regardless of how much time they play or how good their practice with good posture is. It’s just genetics ultimately.

[@BrentODell]

I play guitar(my current image here on YT

[@brandonthebass]

Ah man, I met John Lamb (Duke Ellington, "The Far East Suite"), who lives near Tampa, Florida. He played my double bass and talked to me for about an hour about not playing with an amp. Obviously not the same thing as electric bass, but there is something to be said about how amazing some of these masters were at playing without amplification and that enormous sound. He talked a lot about left hand technique, which I didn't think about a lot. One of the things he said was, "When you do a pull off in the left hand, is it as loud as right hand plucking the string? How strong is your left hand?" Then he shook my hand and it was like making friends with a statue! Haha, his hands were like old stone. One of the takeaways: working on sustain with the left hand. Pluck a note and see how long it rings. John stressed that over and over again. If your left hand is weak, your right hand won't make any difference.

[@swissarmyknight4306]

I absolutely with you about the sustain. I set my action so every fret sustains without buzzing and it winds up being a bit higher than by the numbers. I think its worth it though. People often remark about the clear tones my instruments make, and my gear isn't anything special.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

I once read Jaco almost never practised with an amp. He was gigging a lot though..

[@chuckblaisdell990]

exceptionally good advice , ESPECIALLY if a 5string is your thing . Raise your action little by little , 1/4 turn is a good idea . Get used to that and give it another shot when you e cooking to your satisfaction . My B is 5/32s @ 17th fret . no capo . for what its worth ......also when your action is high enough nobody will want to borrow at a jam

[@pacmanfrog1982]

Being an orchestral classic music double bass player I'm totally used to high actions cuz in symphonic music we need that. There's no difference in muscular effort and no danger in injuries if the body and shoulders are relaxed, on my main bass I work with in orchestra on the fifth string (low B) the action from the fingerboard is about 35 mm but that's the only way of having sound and sustain, I often see new colleagues joining the section who prefer a comfortable action but have no sound in orchestra. On the bass guitar a reasonable high action gives more tension and sustain, in my opinion the sound has way more body. Good video, youre advices are totally right. A last note, I have a fairy large hand, but I had a stand partner in orchestra, a taiwanese girl really small with a small hand and thin fingers, she had no problems at all dealing with a high action bass because of her skill, tecnique, body relaxation and mental relaxation

[@simontoth9101]

Hey! I play classical too, depending on the setup I go between my solo instrument and big German basses for orchestra and yeah a high action double bass in like 35-40mm so when electric players look at them they really freak out

[@BassJapanDirect]

Hi Janek, thanks for all your great and informative work. In my experience as an exporter of basses I find the industry standard is 2mm at 12th fret which looks like what you are at now. Most of my customers want lower, 1mm or 1.5 and if the set up is done right it works well and has better intonation than actions above 2 or 3 mm. Personally I like 1.5mm as it's high enough to dig in and low enough to tap, if that's what you do. However if I'm just playing groove I like 2mm as I can enjoy digging in more. 1.5 is a middle ground that allows all techniques to be implemented, but the neck must have exactly the right relief. Just my two cents

[@jessecappelletto5621]

It's funny, I've always played with high ( ish ) action but I bought a cheap Ibanez bass and it came with a very slim neck and low action. I have to say that i'm really loving it and it has been a revelation for me, also it's enabling me to actually get a good sound out of tapping for the first time in my life.

[@Jay-ye1up]

Exact same for me. Got ibanez after playing Warwick and had a mega low action and it's completely changed everything for me! Slap sounds so good too

[@tylermills4254]

I actually am studying with Gary Willis now - having dynamics controlled by the right hand by turning your amp up and playing super soft is a great approach for fretless. His action isn't the lowest either, I remember off a video of his it's about average I think. Super low or super high action on fretless contribute differently to the sound compared to a fretted bass, in my opinion.

[@banjokastooie]

Nice one, Tyler! How is your study going? I hope to do the same with Gary Willis.....just gotta work up some courage :P

[@DOGroove]

Really? I met Gary Willis 5 or 6 years ago and played his bass and his action was crazy low. Some of the lowest action I’ve ever seen. Maybe he has raised his action since then but I know he played with very low action for decades.

[@tylermills4254]

banjokastooie it's amazing. Well worth it

[@vincentm3890]

I had to have my action lowered because my right hand was starting to hurt. But I say one should do whatever works for them. There is no one way to do things.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

You are right, but i very much doubt that is why your right (!) hand started to hurt.

[@adamgreenhill110]

Do you play left handed bass? Surely your fretting hand would hurt, not the picking hand

[@DojoOfCool]

Back when bass was my main instrument I used to hang out on Marcus Miller (MM) old website that has a discussion board, the subject of MM's height came up after someone noticed it was real high. MM said he just got off touring and when on tour and playing concerts every hand his hand strength builds up and he will raise the action little by little over the course of a tour. Then when I was in music school on guitar I went thru the same experince, when playing from sun up to wee hours of the night my hands would get stronger and over the course of the year in school my string guage went up as well as my action. I like high action in general it allows you to dig in more and increase your range of dynamics. I personally think higher action help with left hand finger muting of strings. Guitar or bass I keep the tools on my desk to adjust action and pickups to I can tweak as necessary when practicing and keep finding sweet spot for acton and sound on a continuing basis.

[@robertnewquest656]

I noticed the left hand muting being easier, as well.

[@LeviChangsMusic]

Same, I tend ro raise the action to SRV heights. The only intrument where I keep my action low is my fretless, if I raise it I don't get that real jaco Mwah tone.

[@earfulaudio5199]

The proof is in the pudding. Such a clean and artifact free sound. Thanks for uploading.

[@LuisSethakorn]

My action is a bit high too. It came from my laziness for setup cause my bass have to use a different size of screw driver. But it did help me to aware of the perfect posture all the time to play the bass without an injury. Thank you very much Janek.

[@darthsoros787]

My second bass was a $30 on ebay1990 SDGR Ibanez with high action, after learning on it and getting better, I could really play faster on a lower action and amazed myself. I just bought a Japanese Geddy Lee jazz bass and I still find myself going back to my beater Ibanez with the high action.

[@t3hgir]

Ibanez almost always makes fantastic instruments regardless of price.

[@cyco739z]

If you get too the point that you no longer play the MIJ Jazz,... I'll buy it!

[@hihosilver666]

I play with an action of 4mm at the 12th fret on the E string with bass in playing position, I've done this for 40 years with no problems, the worst sound to my ears is fret clack and fizzle, just awful.

[@rickswancott1]

Just look at the length of his fingers. He's not stuck with short fingers and arthritis (Yet). High action would kill me and cause my pinky joints to freeze permanently. What will be the long term effect on his fingers of playing with such a high action? Eight weeks of practice before he ups the action yet again. Is this really good advice?

[@bobbyzig3879]

My right hand loves digging in and I like higher tension. High action is a must but something in my mind always says it’s “wrong” because I think low action is aesthetically pleasing.

[@knotchbass]

I play with a higher than normal action. I also use a heavy gauge string set. It makes me work harder but the sound I get seems much bigger and clearer. It does take a lot more effort to slap. But my current gig does not require much of that anyway. Love the channel so I just subbed. Thanks Brother!!!!!

[@solkvist8668]

I’ve had a mixture of both variants for action, and I think something that isn’t being mentioned here is that not everyone can do this. I have two basses, one 5 string PJ with tapewounds and a lot of relief, and an active bass with multi scale and extremely low action. Both basses serve very different roles, but during that time I learned I can’t do higher action on the active bass. For context I’ve had carpal tunnel in the past, caused by a job with a lot of repetition, and it ultimately means my strength will never be the same. I can work things very slowly up to a point, but ultimately my wrist will fail me if I push it enough, so I have to play things very safely. Even an acoustic guitar is too much tension for me now, let alone a bass with high action. The only reason the PJ works is because tapes are very low tension, like extremely loose in comparison to flats. Otherwise it wouldn’t work at all for me. If you also cannot get your action high, don’t feel bad about it. These differences in anatomy are exactly what make us unique players that have our signature sound.

[@chrisstevenson9844]

I'm a fairly hard player so don't have a particularly low action on any of my basses, even fretless. I do think however that everything has compromise & it's wise to remember that action does have a effect on intonation.

[@ethanlocke3604]

I’ll definitely have to try it! The only people I’ve heard advocating for high action before are like metal or rock players who want to be able to really dig in or “you should only play root notes and below the 5th fret” type people

[@markfoster_mkfbass]

Thank you for this! Fretless players, try raising your action; the notes have a different character...

[@130mMer5boc]

Raised up five years ago. Hands got stronger. This video 100% agreement. 😮

[@piterb.5444]

Thanks!!! You made me want to play again!

[@waynethomas403]

Hey, thanks for sharing. I prefer a high action mainly because of the thumbing and plucking style. I’ve become used to the high action which allows me to play triplets and double thumbing much easier. I didn’t realize this or I forgot why I raised the action until I had my basses set up. Finger style was fine but the lower action really impacted my technique and timing. So I’m going back to the high action, just been lazy and most of the music I play today really doesn’t require much thumping and plucking.

[@alphanumeric1529]

Working on a cheap chinese bass, refinished the headstock, reshaped the neck, finished the neck with a month's applications of cold pressed linseed, feels awesome, but after putting the neck back on, I forgot this bass had a quarter of an inch string height. Nonetheless, I tuned it up, adjusted the intonation, and I played it yesterday for maybe an hour and a half split into two sessions. BUT. After the second session, I was going to bed... my fretting hand ached, my fingers were in excruciating pain, couldn't pick up things/hold things... and this was with a new set of Fender medium lights, at .105 I think it was. Writing this the next morning, fingers don't hurt at rest, but if I make a fist, my hand is full of fluid from inflammation, I can't fully make the fist, too swollen with fluid, and my ring and pinky fingers extending up into my palm ache badly. This is not good. It hurt after a while when I was playing during both sessions, but in particular the pre bedtime session, but I was loving the feel of the neck and the sound of these Fender strings, and was happy to get this bass back together after doing so much work on it, aka a couple, maybe actually 3 fret jobs, narrowed the neck a bit (chinese knock off, it's a jazz bass but has a baseball neck - thick and wide! bigger all around than a P bass), and rolled the edges, stripped the poly finish, and applied a linseed finish that feels amazing, smooth, fast, slick, but grippy also when desired, natural materials always feel better/work better than plastic, oh, and shaped a nut out of bone, and redid the headstock - changed the shape a bit, stained the wood to match the body, black to red to yellow - standard fender blend, and finished the head with poly, sanded and buffed to a gloss to match the body finish. Over that whole time, and a lot of time doing other things between processes, it's been maybe 6 months... I forgot that the neck needed a shim to drop the excessive string height. I wish I'd remembered before I got it tuned up and intonated *eyeroll* . I primarily play guitar nowadays, but the bass I play has light round wounds with really low action, you know slight sizzling fret buzz on all frets up and down the board, except the lightest fingerings/pickings. SO, SERIOUSLY, be careful with jumps in string height. I'm aching. This cheap chinese jazz knock off has been such an amazing headache, it's worth an actual vintage fender jazz bass with all of the work I've put into it! And now my body... 🙃

[@ruslanshalintsev4793]

It’s very strange that no one takes and simply writes the numbers. here you go guys. above 12 fret G - 1.25 mm D - 1.5 mm A - 1.5 mm or 1.75mm E - 1.75 mm or 2.0 mm Depends how strong is youre attack. Try )

[@WeCantAffordThat]

14 min video you never explain the benefits other than some famous bass player had his like that

[@MElixirDNB]

boo, get lost

[@ChipMunkey]

He never said there is a benefit of a high action rather he only explains why his bass is set to a high action.

[@crapadopalese]

Welcome to youtube where it's more about clickbaiting and video length than given actual information

[@RefactoringRyan]

Total waste of time

[@robinaristorenas01]

He actually did but YouCantAffordToUnderstand 😂

[@guillermolandaker7805]

Had my action rasied wayy up, to the point where i noticed that i could barley keep up playing 16th notes in a live band situation. But now its slightly lowered, to where you'll barley get a buzz if you pluck a string really hard. I've grown to like a LITTLE bit of buzz for situations like soloing.. just so i can get a little rasp if i want it, or not have any if i dont want any. Def do not like notes being choked out though, it seems that " normal" string action even has that choked out sound if you hit it hard enough. i guess my action is still high

[@BlackRootsAcademyOfSoul]

Been playing high action for years, not sure why, but I prefer that. Maybe coz I don't slap? And now with foam at the bridge and the bass detuned a whole lot, not only is the action high, the strings are tight! I love it.

[@drbassface]

Really a great topic to delve into. I find that a higher action is great for fingerstyle playing... It allows a much great dynamic range. Medium to softer or medium to louder. I find that the slap style...especially when diving into the double thumbing /thumb up strokes...requires a lower action. I constantly have battled those two different possibilities...higher verses low. Also, a medium low action allows to get the “rasp” sound (Scott’s Bass Lessons term” i.e. the dug in right hand pizz sound at will. The comment posted about the nut and the neck relief is really an important point here. Kudos on that. Currently, this is how I balance out the action on my main bass...a 99 Musicman Stingray 5. One of the great sounding ones (they are all different in my opinion). I always have a small screwdriver in my pocket...I can adjust the neck wheel for relief at a moments notice... even during a song! Lol. If I am playing say with Mary Wilson (Supremes) and emulating the Jamerson sound via left hand muting, or a big ballad that needs to growl by pizzing over the neck...the higher action really is necessary. Then a more modern song comes up and it needs some plucks...but if the action is high...the plucked sound will be really too loud... plus high action for slap and pop makes the initial attack way louder...lower is smoother... So...having a good bridge height and nut height works out fine for just hitting that neck adjustment wheel and wolla! It’s works out fine. Funny, I have other Basses that I never want to mess with...but my Musicman can do it all and let’s me do whatever I want:) John Patitucci uses a separate bass for his slap style...one set up lower for that style and sound. In one video he had a six string on a stand and his slap bass around his neck. He played the intro on the bass on the stand and the slapped section on the one he was wearing. Having multiple Basses on a gig could solve the problem, but we don’t always have enough time to switch between Basses. Another great topic would be string gauges. When Victor Wooten handed me his bass to check out...it played like butter...like soft butter. He uses light strings. 40-98. That enables all of that right hand style he is so amazing at. I think if he was handed a bass with higher action and 45-105...he could still make it work, but it would possibly be a struggle? I’ve read that Marcus uses action where the strings are laying on the neck. I think that Marcus’ fingerstyle sound always sounded better when he had higher action. IMO... Great topic! Let’s discuss the Nut height/bridge height, and neck relief ideas more! Cheers!

[@jbaranowski1990]

That's why I'm using about factory spec on my StingRay (not so high to not get rasp when I dig in but not too low to have problems with buzz) - I don't have time to change basses during gigs so I must have sweet spot in everything in my sound. I use fingers 80% of the time but sometimes I use pick or slap a little so I must get all the best from all those styles. Same with amps, cabs etc. The one thing I just left which is not so much "versatile" but personally for me is, is flatwound strings (Thomastiks) - sometimes it's a lack of zing when I slap but with pick or fingers ? Amazing sound ! Especially pick with flats is the perfect pick sound you can get imo. My dynamic range is my hands. I used to use very very low action and turn amp up but it's not for me. I must have control of bass not my bass control over me ;) I have normal touch but when I need to dig I just want to dig in and when I want just lightly touch the strings I do it to. Same with amp. I set it flat (sometimes I use more volume knob when I need it) and use onboard preamp to control my sound during songs or my preamps on pedalboard. That's my approach.

[@drbassface]

Jakub Baranowski as Jaco said “I dig!”

[@SteveGouldinSpain]

Speaking as a guitarist first, bassist second, I find there is so much mass in a bass string that the higher the action, the less you have to worry about your plucking hand. By the time the fretting finger pushes down the string it's almost committed to doing a hammer. I find on fast passages I take advantage of that...pluck pluck hammer pluck without thinking too much about it!

[@VictorscherrerBrasil]

Hi Janek, First of all, I really respect you and I do like your vlog -- and I'm primarily a guitar player :-). About this topic: I understand that, with a higher action, you can play more dynamically with less buzz and giving more space to the string vibration. However I see two main problems, and I would like to hear your thoughts about those issues: 1st - when you play with a high action, you slow down your playing, also bringing more noise to your playing. About the speed, it's not a matter of shredding, but it's hard to execute certain techniques, like legatos (you can't play legatos being subtle) and chords using open strings. 2nd - Don't you have tuning/intonation issues? Peace, Victor

[@VictorscherrerBrasil]

Before I forget: I use medium-low action because I pick hard and I can't go lower than that.

[@rossbrigolimusic]

I play with a higher action on my bass ever since. I don't like buzz.

[@MrPrincebass99]

A friend of mine likes what he calls "sizzle" in his sound. It's just some fret buzz. I can't stand it.

[@lukaovsec]

it doesent look high?!!

[@craigdines2346]

A lot of people play lower than that

[@kit714]

Again another informative video and educational take on action height.

[@stefanwessel6092]

It's personal taste thing. High Action is definitely good to build stamina, just like a classical pianist might practice with much heavier keys that that he might use at a concert. If you practice with a harder target you can reach a lower target ich easier. Anyway I think that a higher action can have a bad influence in tone for certain techniques like slapping or picking hard, giving this string against the frets "short buzz"- sound. Sometimes to high an action can also influence intonation quite a bit. Certainly not with your setup though.

[@darrenwales7350]

Great vlog as always . I started out on bass on a Westone thunder 1 bass , 20 years ago. I had played the cello for eight years so the action never bothered me until I saw a vid of Flea playing live . I just couldn't achieve the noises as well as the notes that he was hitting . The action on my Westone just couldn't go low enough . I saved for a Stingray , lowered the action and my desired tone was there . My playing took off big time , my right hand is very strong and when I'm on it I rip the strings off , possibly due to my cello pizzicato technique. It's easy to get the quiet dynamics , a lot harder to get the forte dynamics. Maybe worthwhile getting a second bass with a high action to practice on and a number one bass for gigging so it feels easier to play live .

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

Flea has a typical low action sound indeed where you hear the sound bottom out when he attacks the strings harder. I don't think it works very well in live situations (for him it does apparently) because you lack dynamic range like that. Personally I was never impressed with his fingerstyle live sound.

[@benbassist]

Thanks for the lesson. Earned a subscription.

[@alfredoaguilera5138]

Thanks Janek. Always informative and insightful.

[@StevenChisham]

I don't really play bass. I put higher gauge strings on my six string for better intonation, and I put the action high to reduce fret buzz when playing aggressively. What I have noticed is that my control has increased because precision is more necessary. With higher action i can do more because I am not limited by the fear of buzzing out. My guitar has a thin profile neck. if I pay precise, I can build speed, but the sound will be more controlled, and my hand can slide across the neck quickly.

[@keziahj]

The bass sounds amazing... 😍

[@briansimpson8116]

Well.... It's a $10,000 Fodera. So it better sound good. 😃

[@ajadrew]

I used to love Action Man as a kid..now I love my BASS! Nothing else to report bar once not being able to play a bass once because the action was too high & the strings too thick. But I bought thicker gauge strings from then which took time to adjust too + imo, created a better tone. My action is quite high but I need to warm up to get a good sound. I think it was Gary Willis who suggested playing as quietly as possible which with practise helps with your overall dynamics. And I've learnt more re the bass from yourself, Joe Hubbard & Rufus Philpot than all of the others put together, cheers!!

[@frankkolton1780]

I've been a part time musician for a over 4 decades, guitar mostly but I'll go on bass on occasion. Be aware of the cumulative damage to your elbow and finger joints that can occur from having high actions on your instruments. Not a problem for someone who practices and plays only a few hours a week, but for those that have aspirations of becoming a serious musician and putting in 14 or more hours a week, the risk of ulnar neuropathy and arthritis in the fingers greatly increases in proportion of the force used by your hand to play. I still play, but I am now limited to 20 minute daily practices and 1 gig per weekend, anything more and the hand shuts down. By the way, it's not because I'm an old bastard either, I still run 3 miles every other day and very physically active. The string height on that base is not overly high, and is low compared to some of the set ups many of us used the in the 60s and 70s.

[@avalon1734]

I am a guitar player that tracks my own bass parts. I use a Sterling Ray5 in alternate tuning....DADAD to accompany my guitar which is DADADF#. I run a set of 105-25 on the bass to achieve that tuning but find that the 105 on the low D wants to be a higher action to get a nice clean note. Perhaps I will try a 110 or 115 but in general the action is pretty high on all strings to get a nice no buzz tone being a pick player where a stronger attack on the strings is necessary for the music I am creating.

[@jamie117warr]

Everyone with a cheap badly setup bass just had a heart attack... PFFT height action!

[@shadowgun22]

My bass came with it. For a couple years when I practice on and off all I’ve known is high action. And the worst part is it’s hardly Playable sometimes. I can’t hit certain chords and appregios because of how high it is. When I do get around to taking it to a tech. I’m pretty sure my fingers will be faster and stronger than if I never had high action to begin with

[@jamie117warr]

@@shadowgun22 you're right. Actual heigh action does make it super hard to play. What I mean by this comment is that his action is not really that heigh compared to what yours sounds like! Definitely sounds like your bass could use a set up, I'm sure you could find a good KZbin tutorial on how to do it yourself... You won't snap your truss rod unless you excessively tighten it and force it to turn when it gets stiff.

[@paulrelvas2206]

I find that there is a small window of balance regarding string height and string tension. It’s all in the feel, but you can find the parameters of too loose, or too tight string tension and split the difference (once you have the neck relief where you like it-fortunately I have a Zon bas where I can get the neck super straight with the neck relief and then just adjust string height accordingly)

[@dinglebass]

Here is a different approach, but I have found on upright bass, the difference between light and medium strings at different actions made a big difference. I don't like light strings at a low action but I like them at a high action, but medium strings at a high action give (in my mind) and ideal sound. But the hight gives air to the note and a different feel/playability. Have you ever tried that difference? Use medium strings at your action, and then put light strings on and raise them till they are the same tension as before? It might be something to consider.

[@QuaqQuao]

Good to see you again :)

[@scottjamable]

Definitely action is personal taste and feel. Just can't go so high that it pulls the notes sharp when you fret down on the board. So there are some rules or limitations to have the guitar play in tune open and fretted. I like my action slightly elevated but still easy to play. Cheers

[@bobbygotsch]

A teacher I had named Dale is buddies with Mike Stern, and one night last year they were jamming. Dale got up to take a leak and Mike grabbed his guitar while he was gone. He yelled to Dale in the bathroom, “Why’s your action so low man!!” I was always curious about why people have high action. Mike Stern has a super fat tone, so maybe there’s more truth in it than I thought!!

[@jamesrmorris1952]

I have higher action on my 6 string guitar for note clarity, tone and sustain but you don't want it incredibly high. I would recommend that you have the action as high as you feel comfortable (not mega high or you get pitch problem) If you have very low action use try raising it a little it will take some getting used to but tone will improve and clarity especially if you are playing cleaner tones

[@matiasclavell7244]

hi janek, since higher action means you got to bend the string more to press it against the fret, don't you produce slightly sharper notes (specially at the higher frets)? Is it not a problem? Thanx. Cheers from Buenos Aires.

[@thatpaulschofield]

I believe that when you set the intonation at the bridge, you compensate for that. The bridge is designed to allow you to compensate for a range of neck relief and action and still have good intonation. That is my understanding.

[@robsonriglesias]

Ativa a legenda ... 🤘

[@CordScott]

I don't know if I could ever enjoy playing with high action. 4/64 at the 12th fret is the max for me. Janek obviously knows better, but for someone like me who just plays for fun, I don't want to fight my bass. In fact, to me the reason I would pay money for a Fodera or Sadowsky or something like that is hopefully the better workmanship would lead to lower action. I feel like you can get the same sounds from a lesser bass based on electronics, pickups, etc, so ease of play is where it is at for me. It's how I judge an instrument, and its what I like.

[@cyco739z]

Its called a 1/16th of an inch.

[@CordScott]

@@cyco739z and? what's you're point? Anything over 1/16 to me is too high.

[@anthonyilkiw9204]

I don’t think action can be judged by a mathematical measurement. Some people are comfortable wearing drainpipe trousers. Others prefer flares. It’s all in the mind and what you feel comfortable with. I do prefer low action. My action is 1.5 mm across the board at the 24th fret. With no rattle. That’s down to the quality of build of my bass (sei bass for those who might be interested). If I really dig in, I get that Stanley Clarke sound. But because it is a wide necked six string bass, I don’t want to be fighting the width of the neck coupled with a high action. It works for me. But as I said, each to their own. And Janek is right. Which ever way you go, you have to work up(or down) to it. Whatever height Janek chooses, he always sounds great. And that’s down to musicality and feeling. If you haven’t got that, forget about your action, amps and everything else.it comes from the soul, and practice, and listening and absorbing. Not your string height. String height is a choice. Your choice. Not a rule. Obviously keep it within the laws of science! But after that, don’t sweat about it. Just do what feels right. Don’t be dictated to by people telling you that so and so’s string height is so low, his strings are on the back of his neck, or so high, you could drive a bus underneath. It’s what works for you..

[@Shuzies]

First ...always nice to first at something....love ya

[@littlefanna4210]

If you play heavy music and live performance its good for low action , but when in comes to recording i use different bass with higher action for the tone

[@marcosrivera657]

Go back to daily vlogs, btw congrats!! Of getting engaged

[@cav8000]

Does high action cause that clacking sound when pressing the strings down on the fretboard?

[@monz7951]

I'd say yes, and more attack on the actual note

[@robobass25]

My USA Fender Jazz bass that I’ve had for 30 years since new has always really had a higher action. The neck in straight and all and the bridge hight is almost as low as it goes I think. Might need a tweak or 2. I been wondering if it’s ok to do that. I mean. So far the bass is still working great 🤷‍♂️ since restringing it. It has a couple deadish notes right up the higher end of the neck near the body. But feels fine still 🤷‍♂️ there is so many different ways that players setup the string hight and I was thinking maybe the neck is bowed a little. But it’s not 🤷‍♂️

[@pax6987]

So I just recently got a bass, and it made a really annoying buzz noise that eventually made it unbearable to play, so i raised the action. I worry the action is too high now, and was wondering if a super high action could damage the bass over time, since the strings are tighter?

[@federicoveronese2089]

Interesting tip. I did not understand if we are only talking about the action or also the trussrod must give more relief.. I’m trying to higher the setup on my P bass.. maybe someone ( Janek included ) could let me know … !

[@NorthBayWater]

I found my feel and time are more precise with a higher action. I started using the fattest and highest string tension I could find, my hand discomfort went away. Analyzing this I discovered I got more contact with the string rather than the meat on my finger wrapping over the string and pressing against the fingerboard which made me press harder than needed.

[@pedrofleurymoreira4257]

I also play Metal and have a heavy right hand, but I play with a mid-low action. Don't know if getting the action higher would result in playing way harder to get that 'clanky' sound.

[@swissarmyknight4306]

Entwhistle set his action super low so it would rumble off the frets more, so if anything you might want it lower for more clank.

[@benquadinaros5069]

I'm still fairly new to bass been playing about half a year now my action would be considered high and I definitely would want to lower it as some basslines are kinda hard as I still don't have the strength or stamina. Should I try to lower it? I don't want to fuck anything up

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

Hear hear! It bothers me that so many people on other channels just tell you to put the action on your bass as low as possible without explaining all the ins and outs and the trade-offs involved.

[@MaliVinnyB]

I noticed after practicing on my Upright, what I THOUGHT was "HIGH" on my 5 string was UNoticeable!! Now, I've Seen This vid Before, thought Nothing about it, BUT, after practicing my Upright, I remembered THIS!! E-bass IS 'CHILD'S" play In Comparison to Upright!! (WHICH, Comparitably, is MILES above E-BASS Action!!)

[@jamescammack6720]

Great video...what kind of bass is that... fantastic sound.. I like low action but I think it is always a balance...It is what allows you to get your sound your feel and your notes out..

[@SimonMSvensson]

This demands action!

[@yocraigst]

I started with a high action because I didnt know any better. I've lowered it much since then but I like having a certain amount of "play" in the strings. Low action is not for me.

[@onzkicg]

ahh those effects pedal shelf!! every man’s dream lol 😂 My action is also like that- but my bass cannot do any low any more :( I hope I will get used to it.. it’s difficult to do fast runs, especially I’m using flatwounds, finger can really feel the tight tension.

[@devmobray]

Great Topic, Thanks for the tips. also been trying to get into this higher action setting and what I have noticed obviously is that it is less of a temptation to just shred because you have to put alot more effort into it and the notes aren't as clean as they would be with a lower action- I think this is a good thing due to it changing the way you would emphasize your phrasing and melody/solo ideas instead of just playing a thousand notes for musicians you become more musicial rather than just music for musicians. Not to mention higher action on electric also doesn't hampen your double bass chops. I feel this is probably why Pattituci has the higher action on electric to compensate for the double bass and plays both instruments virtually the same.

[@miguelfernandez9839]

Hi, Janek. Recently I bought the print version of your book "Chordal Harmony". I was wondering I there's a way to buy the videos of the exercises without buying the whole digital version. Just wondering before taking the plunge. Thanks!

[@GordMcknob]

You can also go with lighter Bass strings when using a higher action,, will be a little easier on your fingers ..

[@saintanthony7718]

I would like to find any damn action that works I just don’t have the feel I used to , I just had the bass set up at Guitar center when I got home it still didn’t feel right , HELP .

[@RobMLyon]

Ditto my friend, I can’t get proper sustain without it!!

[@Grumdot]

My first bass (an '82 memphis p-bass) was not properly set up and had ridiculously high action. But I had no idea, for years..So now, high action seems somewhat natural to me..

[@cameronlesley2428]

I’ve always had a high action as a bass player because I didn’t know any better. You notice the difference in attack when you j7mp on someone else’s bass that’s slammed way low and all you get is fret buzzz and your like ARGH!! What’s this ?

[@dialect64]

I have two fivers and one six... I keep one fiver mid-low and one higher, but the six very low. For me I like writing on the lower 5, practice on the higher, and the sixer is where I can freely noodle lol. As always, excellent videos and dropping knowledge!

[@CHEWYCHEWYQQ]

When you were learning to play with higher action, how did it affect your gigs? Changing your technique is always harder for gigging musicians since the audience doesn't care about whatever changes you're going though: they just want to hear good music.

[@klapsigaarenbasgitaar1931]

In my view, a higher action will help you in live situations because it increases your dynamic range meaning your ability to change from playing loudly or softly depending on how hard you hit the strings.

[@wonziba2122]

Would have helped to measure the action so we know for sure

[@palladinwebb6135]

"Everything is possible : Patience is key". Really great Janek. A lot of coaching in a brief stretch of time. {Short one, ^ ^ , this time...can you believe it

[@PepoVidal]

Thanks!! Good exercises!!

[@richardboucher4027]

I had a pretty low action before watching this and decided to mess around with it. Months later and all good except for the string crossing with my pinky needs to improve.

[@nachomujicaa]

But you didnt answer the main question, why do you use your action so high? is there any benefit from it? Greetings from Chile !

[@bobbygotsch]

nacho mujica Check out the part at 11:50

[@DarkShaman667]

I don't drink coffee but I'm still here ... anyway. People call your action high? I'd say that's about normal. When I started I raised my action, because I tuned down with standard strings and didn't like the rattling.

[@akashjoseph17]

Many great bassists can't even play with high action , ask them to tap and slap it , they'll mess it up .

[@wombat7156]

It never ceases to amaze me why (w/o fail) 9 out of 10 bass players demonstrate their bass at the 12th fret or above playing melodies akin to the low end of a 6 string or making slapping farting sounds while bobbing their heads in beat to and fro in a dislocated manner w/o ever playing ...... well, the bass notes.

[@janekgwizdala]

👍🏻

[@sssandersssander]

I always played with very high action, but after playing my fretless for some years almost exlusively it was really hard going back to my fretted xD

[@NodakSavage]

I don’t have a choice but to have it high. If I lower it I get fret buzz. I’m just learning and have to press the strings down so hard to make clean contact in the frets. Any slight release and it rattles in the fret in trying to play on

[@CuzCutz]

Interesting! I have a question that may be related to string height.... What fretboard radius (for you) enables more fluid playing across the most technical styles? Thanks!