Author Topic: String height  (Read 387 times)

Glynn

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String height
« on: March 27, 2018, 08:56:08 AM »

Re-visiting an old and popular topic.  My Orion 4 has not been "serviced" for some time now as basically didn't need it.  Out of curiosity I measured the string height with a steel ruler in the proper way as best I could. At the 12th fret the E string is 3/32" and similar at 17th.  It is 4/32" at the 24th fret.  My style is "digging in" so low actions in the past have created rattles and high actions have created strain.  Do these measurements seem in keeping with middle ground and factory settings? I am not inclined to alter for the sake of it - maybe a little lower could ease ageing fingers but don't want to sacrifice the sound and feel etc.  I know it is a very personal judgement and we all are different.
Thoughts?
Glynn

bigredbass

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Re: String height
« Reply #1 on: March 27, 2018, 10:00:17 AM »
Murray, you're 'in the neighborhood'.  Where you're at is entirely useable as it sounds like with how your hands address the instrument it's playing well. 

IF you wanted to lower it a bit more (and we're down to the 'splitting hairs' measurements) you might crank the truss rods (and here I do mean) slightly and watch your measurements carefully, you'd only want a 32nd to come off, and lower your bridge by a corresponding amount.  I mean we're talking VERY small changes, since you're already happy, just looking for maybe just a hair lower if I'm understanding you correctly.  So if you do any adjustments, we're at an extreme fine-tuning stage.  1/8" clearance over the last fret is good for heavier hands, I'd just be careful not to end up with the action low at the nut end and high at the last fret.  There is a relationship between neck relief and string height that is aggravating until your head grasps it (it sure as hell was for me . . . . . ), but as I said you're good as is.

As well, at this fine point, you'd also run the bridge a bit higher on the E-side than the G-side, but just a hair, maybe 'lean it' downhill on the G-side by a 32nd.

I too, walk that line between how 'low can I get it vs. it wouldn't rattle if I had a softer touch'.  So generally when I get it to a point where it rattles some unplugged but I hear none of it through the pickups plugged in, that's pretty much my 'THERE !'.  Once I can hear it rattling consistently through the amp, then I know to put her in reverse and let a little relief and string height back in.  Maybe that will work for you.

Should none of this make any real improvement for you, you smartly have measured it as it currently sits, so you can always return it to those measurements, have a pint to old Joey, and call it a day !

All the Best to you in the UK !

Glynn

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Re: String height
« Reply #2 on: March 27, 2018, 10:24:20 AM »
Many thanks, Joey.  Very reassuring and sensible stuff.  Much appreciated. I will stay put!
Take care,
Glynn

bigredbass

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Re: String height
« Reply #3 on: March 27, 2018, 11:32:17 AM »
Glynn, when I had the red bass, it was old enough ('92 production) that the wood had settled into its' long-term comfort zone.  I set it up, and would just for the hell of it get out the rulers and feeler gauges once a year . . . . . only to find it never moved.  Not any measurable amount.  Not impossible with the maple and three-stripe purpleheart neck and the ebony fingerboard, but nonetheless an unexpected steady-state.  I've never owned an axe that would do that, and maybe you too have won the 'wood lottery' in that your bass is just that comfortable in its' environment.

That's why I always say there's NOTHING like an Alembic.

pauldo

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Re: String height
« Reply #4 on: March 27, 2018, 02:06:22 PM »
^^^ Agreed, nothing like an Alembic. 
I live in Wisconsin where they say, if you don't like the weather wait 10 minutes and it will change, there are some serious weather swings here even more so with the Global Weirding that has been taking place. One of the amazing aspects of this artisan crafted instrument is once my strings have stretched/settled that it remains in tune even after resting for extended periods of time.  A true testament to the quality of an Alembic.

I must have won the wood lottery on my Distillate.
I have owned this bass for 20+ years, once (many years ago), I took it to Ralph Hanzel's to have the frets redressed, I don't recall if they adjusted the truss rods at all.  I personally have never touched the truss rods (intimidating for me) and just recently lowered the bridge and nut. Holding the string(s) at the first and 24th fret reveals a scant gap between the string(s) and finger board which I believe indicates that the truss rods are good where they are.



Being well versed in 'precision measuring' I should really pull out my Starrett or feeler gauges and measure the clearance - but hey, no issues with action so (to quote Alfred E. Neuman) What, me worry?