I want to set my string height to the factory specs for my Sterling HS. It says in FAQ, that Factory String heights for a 4 string bass are: Bass side 3/32" to 7/64" Treble side: 5/64" to 7/64" from the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the string. My question is this, when I measure 3/32 , am I measuring from the bottom of the string to the top of the 12th fret bar, or the 12th fret, wood on the fingerboard?
- Thread starter ray
- Start date
iamcatwarrior
Well-known member
Bottom of the string to the top of the fret bar.
I measured from the top of the fret bar to to bottom of string and adjusted the action. However, the action seems really high, and that is why I asked this question. I actually find the bass difficult to play with this set up and just wanted it to be to factory specs.
iamcatwarrior
Well-known member
Sometimes the right setup is determined by style of play.
What is your neck relief like? Too far forward or too flat? You may need a truss rod adjustment, but of course, just adjust gently and work slowly, perhaps using the online setup guide to get you through it. Once neck relief is okay, recheck string height.
The other alternatives are:
a) Take it to your local guitar shop and ask for a setup.
b) Call MM customer service for assistance.
What is your neck relief like? Too far forward or too flat? You may need a truss rod adjustment, but of course, just adjust gently and work slowly, perhaps using the online setup guide to get you through it. Once neck relief is okay, recheck string height.
The other alternatives are:
a) Take it to your local guitar shop and ask for a setup.
b) Call MM customer service for assistance.
Thanks, the string height adjustment was made by adjusting the truss rod. I contacted MM cust service and the girl said to measure from the fret bar, but that just doesn't seem right, because the action then becomes way to high...
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melvin7822
Well-known member
I'm not sure what to say. Customer service is correct. If the resulting action is too high, then it's simply that. It's just too high for you. So that means adjust the action lower. For me the factory specs are too high as well and so I have my action set from 4/64" to 3/64". The difference is, I play with an incredibly light touch. It is possible at some point you may have to make an adjustment to the bridge as well. The point of the advice in the FAQ is to "try" to make all your action adjustments via the truss rod. Because most times, all you really need is just a little tweak of the truss rod.
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I play like a slob, and my strings are
a bit slack cuz I tune DGCF ... and I
find the factory specs to be pretty
much dead on. So .... since most of
you are fancier players and prolly do
normal tuning, just figger that I'm a
"lowest common demonator" and the
factory specs are for those like me,
not like all you all mostly. IOW you
gotta wing it.
Atchoolee, I wing it, adjusting for
my own habits, string tension, etc
by gradual adjustment, by zeroing
in over time. But, cuz I've checked
the resulting dimensions now and
then, I do know that I wind up at
pretty close to specs.
I play like a slob, and my strings are
a bit slack cuz I tune DGCF ... and I
find the factory specs to be pretty
much dead on. So .... since most of
you are fancier players and prolly do
normal tuning, just figger that I'm a
"lowest common demonator" and the
factory specs are for those like me,
not like all you all mostly. IOW you
gotta wing it.
Atchoolee, I wing it, adjusting for
my own habits, string tension, etc
by gradual adjustment, by zeroing
in over time. But, cuz I've checked
the resulting dimensions now and
then, I do know that I wind up at
pretty close to specs.
keko
Well-known member
I wrote before in another setup Thread, ...bass action setup is very subjective and personal for each bass player!
Period.
Period.
