High String-Action For Bass | Sharing My Exact Setup in 2023

I just had my bass setup for what I think is the first time since it was made... Not exactly a good example as a professional I know. But what that means is, besides the fact it feels and sounds great for the new album sessions in Argentina next week, I can now share all the exact numbers with you!

Let me know in the comments if you think this setup up is on the high side, or maybe just normal for you.

[bassturbant]

"Not being tempted to fill the space with information..." Took me a decade to understand this. Argentinian writer Jorge Luis Borges once said “Don't talk unless you can improve the silence.”. I think this can and should be applied to music too.

[markfoster_mkfbass]

I love that a "practice idea" that may not have necessarily had a "practical" application at first ends up, after years of repetition and permutation, in a composition. You thoroughly digested the sound. It's a beautiful confirmation of the value of paying attention to and patiently developing what one's ear is drawn to...
Always enjoy listening to you play and listening to you talk about music. And...am thoroughly enjoying the new album(which I pre-ordered😉).
Thanks for continuing to share your journey; saludos a ti y tu familia!

[markwallick]

What you are talking about with the Schedule and prioritization of "to-do" activities is pure gold!

[iksajotien]

I almost forgot, have fun in Argentina! Enjoy the process, I can't wait to hear the results, good luck!

[tylerwmbass]

I've asked Gary about his action, I think at the 12th fretline his setup is around 2mm - 5/64ths for the B string, I have a couple of his signature basses and have set it up the same way and those basses really shine with that setup. I'm going to try a bit higher action on one of them and see how it works!

[thepartimemusician]

Great Podcast Janek, its going to be an Adventure

[marshallgregory]

That’s not as high as I was expecting, 3mm if converting it right ?. Thanks for sharing as always

[iksajotien]

I always admired your work ethic, you really are a role model. Are you familar with Andrew's Huberman work? I use his advices for my mourning routine: going out to get some sun in they eyes, delaying my caffeine (mainly mate but sometimes coffee as well) and it really helps.

[caddelworth]

I have to say, 3mm (.125" = 8/64") isn't what I'd call a high action — though I know many, Jeff Berlin included, will disagree with me.

My bass has a 6mm or so action at the 12th fret, partly because I used to play a double bass as well. It's entirely deliberate. It's what my fretting hand is used to. I've played bass with that super-high action for about 50 years.

A few years back, I once (never again) took my bass to a shop to get it "properly" set up by a guitar tech, with the words "whatever else you do, DON'T lower the action." So, guess what the (presumably well-meaning?) tech did?

Yup. That low action literally hurt my fretting fingers to play it. I had to buy a new nut AND then set the instrument up MYSELF. (And yes, the super-high action _does_ make it more challenging to set the intonation correctly, thanks! 😆)

[izethewise]

Janek, it would be great for you to get Jeff Berlin on the channel discuss setup. He seems to be an advocate of super low action. It would be great to see how you reached different conclusions.

[recordlabeldao]

I had 8/64 and 7/64 on my fender jazz bass usa. Then i used other basses with low action and i got comfortable. But i am really trying to go back to high action again

[jbaranowski]

So now I know that string height can't limit your speed cause you play super clean, previse and with desired speed with action which is higher than mine. So I guess the answer for me (surprise, surprise!) Is to practice more instead blame setup, strings, bass, amp or anything else lol what interesting is the string spacing. I never played bass with so narrow space. My basses are all 19mm standard string spacing and sometimes think that a little bit narrower string spacing will suit my preference more but maybe it's my weird feeling or another excuse lol

[Prctce]

Well done Janek! Are the podcasts on Spotify!?

[evgenyshakhnovich]

5:31 maybe you meant .012 inches relief not 0.12? thank you for your time, Janek, always great to hear your thoughts on the instrument and musicianship!

[Sakezaf]

3mm... I was expecting 4.20 at least. That would be HIGH.
#sharpendgang

[edsonacre]

Dear Janek, I know this is your current preference, but I do prefer your sound in low string-action, AND, in your Fodera. You are a very virtuoso, highly technical, fast and finally, it´s dont affect your sound in nothing. I am only a fan, but is my opnion.

[carlolee]

Sir janek gud day. just want to ask if high action is not advisable for slap bass?

[SamuelWebster]

Interestingly enough, I once saw a Yamaha tech on a forum post John Pattitucci's specs, and saved them... They work well for me. Here's comparison for who might be interested.

John Pattitucci*:
Action: B @ 17th Fret: 0.09375 - 3/32", G @ 17th Fret: 0.078125 - 5/64"
Relief: B @ 9th fret: 0.023 - 15/64", G @ 9th fret: 0.018 - 6/32"
Method: The relief was set using a capo at the first fret and fretting the last fret.

Janek:
Action: 8/64" to 7/64" @ 12th Fret
Relief: 0.12" (1/8") @ 7th fret

Comparing the figures does make me think maybe you mean 0.012" for your relief? Depending how straight you keep your neck I suppose.

*Given John's Yamaha's are 6s, I feel like the tech made a mistake when he said G, and actually meant C string.

[aaronl]

I read a psychology article that actually said it’s better to just make a big change all at once. It tends to stick better for most people.

[joninawhitecoat]

The 1 5 9 sounds like "Message in a bottle", only the message is in hieroglyphics and the bottle was full of meths.

And that's a compliment.