In addition to the overall playability of your bass, you want to make sure that your set up allows you to incorporate any technique you’d like. Remember, you want playing to be easy, but not too easy. If you’re trying to fret a note on your E string, and you accidentally press the G string with the inside of your finger, then you’ll probably have to do some adjusting (both with technique and with the set up of the bass). If the action is too low, it will result in string buzzing and you may end up pressing down strings that you don’t intend on. Another common problem is low action, where the strings are practically touching the fretboard without any help from the player.
A bass with high action requires more effort and can create problems for younger players who don’t have enough strength to get a good tone. Usually, you’ll find that the instrument’s action is far too high, making it difficult to press the strings down on the fretboard. So, if you’re an educator, or if you happen to befriend a low-end newcomer, take a few minutes to examine the person’s instrument and point out any glaring problems. Very little attention is paid to beginner instruments, or even higher-level instruments that haven’t been played in a long time, because the player doesn’t know any better. Years later, I found myself teaching lessons to many beginner students who didn’t know what the strings names were, let alone what the instrument should actually feel like. Suddenly, I was more willing to practice since it was easier to play and I got better results.
After a few minutes with a screwdriver and tuner, I felt like I had a new instrument in my hands. I remember having a true light bulb moment when a friend did a quick adjustment to my Squier P-bass. Even some of the “Starter Pack” basses can be set up to play well, so once you get a new instrument, try to find an experienced player to take a look at it. If you’re just starting out, keep in mind that you can make adjustments to the instrument that you got from the music store, your neighbor’s garage, or off of Craig’s List. Also, your action may change from time to time, depending upon seasonal changes and the warping of your neck, so it may need to be tweaked every now and then. The height of the screws at the bridge adjusts your action, but the slots in the nut and the relief in the neck will play a role as well. The action of your bass can be changed according to personal preference and, although you can try to make certain adjustments yourself, you may be better off bringing your instrument to a tech. A bass with low action will have strings that are closer to the fretboard, while a bass with high action will have strings that are farther away.
Just in case you’re unfamiliar with the term action, it refers to the distance between the strings and your fretboard. At the same time, if you don’t care for any fancy-shmancy stuff and just want a solid, clear tone for finger style playing, your instrument should be able to give you that as well. Ultimately, you want your instrument to allow you to play whatever you’d like, so if you’ve recently discovered the joys of tapping, but find the execution of it to be difficult, it may be because your instrument is working against you. While your action doesn’t necessarily impact your note choice, it certainly factors into the amount of force necessary to play the instrument and the techniques that you use while playing.
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