Setting up a Musicman Stingray

[eyecandy]

hi guys i was just wondering... if you set up the bass strings in a pretty low action.. will that make tension lighter to the point the strings can be bendable?
like e.g using medium gauge strings... i always thought the medium lights tend to be stiffer..

 

[Basspro]

All the EBMM basses can be set-up with low action.
I use super slinkys and have the action on the deck without string buzz
on all my basses.

 

[Bloodfist]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but even if you have the lowest action in the world, and use heavy guaged strings, you should still be able to bend the stings. If you can't you need to build up some finger muscles, or get a set up on your bass done, because something is way wrong.

 

[Basspro]

^yep that's right. It just makes it easier to bend with lighter guage strings for an old guy like me.When i was younger i could bend the bridge cables.

 

[eyecandy]

probably the set up or its just me but the medium lights feels stiffer and the light were better... but i was thinking of getting mediums next time...

 

[maddog]

simple spring/mass physics.

lighter strings have less mass, requires a lower tension to tune.

heavier strings have more mass, allowing a higher tension to tune.

The setup does play into it a bit since the higher the string requires a larger displacement to fret requiring a larger force to fret. But string height really has no dependence on string gauge.

 

[eyecandy]

i see, I'd like a low action... but i encounters some fret buzz on the a string 15th fret..

 

[syciprider]

I accept a bit of buzz that high up the neck if I can get a very low string height below the 12th fret.

 

[Basspro]

i see, I'd like a low action... but i encounters some fret buzz on the a string 15th fret..

Raise the A string saddle a bit.

 

[eyecandy]

Raise the A string saddle a bit.

i did that already... it feels like the A string is popping out since its higher than the E.. should i raise the E as well? or leave them be? if the A bit higher it feels awkward while the others are low..

 

[ModuMan]

Generally speaking, the height of the strings will mimic the radius of the neck. So the A will likely be a little higher than the E, but then the thickness of the string plays into that perception as well. Realistically, you can lower the string height until it buzzes in the 13-15th fret range and then raise it up until those notes are clean.

While I wish I could have action so low a virus couldn't get under it, when I dig in a little more it sounds bad. So I settle for medium.

 

[five7]

generally speaking, the height of the strings will mimic the radius of the neck. So the a will likely be a little higher than the e, but then the thickness of the string plays into that perception as well. Realistically, you can lower the string height until it buzzes in the 13-15th fret range and then raise it up until those notes are clean.

While i wish i could have action so low a virus couldn't get under it, when i dig in a little more it sounds bad. So i settle for medium.

+1

 

[eyecandy]

i got that one resolved,, but now i tend to have another buzz when i pop the D string 9th fret... i resetted everything from the shop's set up n made my own.. the E string goes at about 1/8".. and the G string slightly above 1/16", I lowered the A string well to medium height.. it plays fairly well... minimal buzz i guess.. and as for the D string... its already high.. but still buzzes like hell when i pop it down the 9th... the noise is tolerable and less noticeable when fingering.. but when i start slapping n popping.. ugh... buzz..