Q&A for How to Adjust Action on a Bass

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How do you recommend people maintain their guitars?

Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.

Nicolas Adams

Professional Guitarist

Expert Answer

Avoid leaving it out. Always keep it in a case or covered with humidity control, especially for guitars without a truss rod. As far as physical appearance, avoid sunlight for long periods of time, which will fade and damage the guitar. Avoid severe heat, severe cold, and severe moisture. Keep it in that perfect temperature range of around 68 degrees to 72 degrees. As far as dust and dirt and oils go, make sure that the guitar is cleaned properly before putting it away. Wipe down all the strings. Make sure there's no oil from your hands or other things on the face, top, or sides of the guitar, which can get into the guitar or damage the varnish. There are whole kits that come with everything such as oil cleaner, wax, and fret polish. It's important to clean in between the frets, where dirt and grime can go because those can wear down the frets faster.

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Question

What makes playing the bass difficult?

Nicolas Adams
Professional Guitarist
Nicolas Adams is a 5th generation musician of Serbian Gypsy descent and the lead guitarist of the band Gypsy Tribe. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, Nicolas specializes in Rumba Flamenco and Gypsy jazz and playing the guitar, Bouzouki, Balalaika, and piano.

Nicolas Adams

Professional Guitarist

Expert Answer

One of the harder things is keeping your focus and not losing your place when dealing with different strings. Also, learning different patterns can be difficult such as different walks, runs, and structural patterns on the baselines. It also wears on your hands a lot more than any other guitar because it's heavier. If you don't have a callus, you'll definitely develop one.

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Question

What's a good cleaner for the neck of a bass guitar?

Community Answer

There are many different products made for wooden instruments. Go to your local music shop and tell them the type, age, and brand of your instrument and they should be able to advise you.

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Question

What size Allen wrench do I need to raise the individual string saddles on the bridge?

Community Answer

Each instrument is different. You can get the proper tools from the manufacturer. If that is not possible, buy a set of Allen wrenches and try the different sizes to see which one fits your instrument.

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Question

What is the best string height on bass?

MidLifeISIS

Community Answer

It depends on the desired tone and projection of the string, although the standard height is 7/64” for bass guitar strings.

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Question

What is the normal height measurement of the action?

MidLifeISIS

Community Answer

Conventionally, the bass side of the action should be set to 7/64”, while the treble side is set to 5/64”.

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