Wiktor Wise
Adjusting the action on an electric bass is an important part of the overall setup of the instrument. The action, or the height of the strings from the fretboard, can be affected by changes in temperature, humidity, and string gauge. To adjust the action, first tune the bass using an electronic tuner, and wait 30 minutes for the strings to settle. Next, inspect the neck of the bass to determine if the truss rod needs to be adjusted. If the neck is bowed, the truss rod can be adjusted to correct this. Finally, raise or lower the bridge or the individual string saddles using an Allen wrench. Test the adjustments by playing the bass at each fret – if you hear buzzing, the action is too low and needs to be adjusted.
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What You'll Learn
Adjusting the truss rod
To start, tune your bass as you normally would with an electronic tuner. This will ensure the strings are at the proper tension when you adjust the action. Once you’ve tuned it, wait 30 minutes for the strings to settle. Then, inspect the neck of your bass to see how much relief it has. A bass neck should normally have a slight bow. If there is too much or too little bow, you will need to adjust the truss rod on the bottom of the headstock.
To adjust the truss rod, start by loosening the truss rod nut a quarter turn counter-clockwise. Then, re-tune your strings and check if the bass neck is at the desired relief. If not, loosen the strings and try another quarter turn. If this still does not fix the issue, leave the bass overnight to settle and re-check in the morning.
It is important to note that this is a conservative adjustment, and you will only be slightly altering the string length. Increasing the neck relief will slightly shorten the string, so you will need to 'intonate the bridge' by moving the saddles along.
If you are unsure about making these adjustments, it is recommended to take your bass to a luthier or guitar technician who can examine the instrument and make suggestions based on your playing style and preferences.
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Raising or lowering the bridge
Adjusting the action on an electric bass is important when you have a new bass or when the instrument has been exposed to temperature or humidity changes. To start, tune your bass as you normally would with an electronic tuner. This will ensure the strings are at the proper tension when you adjust the action. Once you've tuned it, wait 30 minutes for the strings to settle.
The neck of your bass must have a slight bow to play properly. If the neck is straight, you will get fret buzz, especially on notes played on the first 5 frets. If there is fret buzz consistently up the neck, the truss rod is likely set properly and the bridge needs to be raised to adjust the action.
If your bass does not have individual saddle height adjusting screws, you must adjust the action by raising or lowering the entire bridge. There are many bridge designs, each with its own specific adjustment features. Select the proper tool for the adjustment hardware on your bass. Typically, tightening (turning clockwise) bridge height adjusters will raise the action, and loosening (turning counter-clockwise) bridge adjustment adjusters will lower the action. If your bass has individual saddle height adjusting screws, make general action adjustments by raising or lowering the entire bridge, then make your final adjustments by changing the height of the individual string saddles. Individual string saddles are generally adjusted with Allen wrenches.
If you feel confident that you can make these adjustments, then you can do so yourself. Otherwise, you can take your bass to a reputable repair shop in your area.
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Tuning the bass
After tuning, wait 30 minutes for the strings to settle. Then, inspect the neck of your bass to see how much relief it has. A bass neck should normally have a slight bow. If there is too much or too little bow, you need to adjust the truss rod on the bottom of the headstock.
To check if the neck is bowed, place a ruler against the frets. If there is any space between the frets and the ruler, the neck is not entirely straight. If the neck is bowed, adjusting the truss rod can fix a lot of problems, but only up to a point. Beyond a certain amount of bow, no amount of truss rod adjustment will fix it, and you may need to shim the neck.
If you are satisfied with the neck, check the intonation to make sure the string length is still right for the fret spacing. Tune the guitar to pitch using a tuner. Play the 12th-fret harmonic on the string, and then the 12th-fret note. If the fretted note is higher (sharper) than the harmonic, then the length of the string needs to be lengthened. If the harmonic note is sharper, then the length of the string needs to be shortened.
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Checking the neck
To check the neck of your bass, start by tuning it as you normally would using an electronic tuner. This ensures that the strings are at the proper tension before making any adjustments. Once the bass is tuned, wait at least 30 minutes for the neck to settle into its final position. This waiting period is crucial as it allows any changes in string tension to stabilize, resulting in more accurate adjustments.
After waiting, carefully inspect the neck to evaluate its relief, or the amount of bow. Place a ruler against the frets, and if there is any noticeable space between the frets and the ruler, it indicates that the neck is not entirely straight. A straight neck with no bow suggests that the truss rod may need adjustment.
If the neck has too much bow, you can attempt to adjust the truss rod located at the bottom of the headstock. Loosening the truss rod (turning counterclockwise) will reduce neck relief and lower the action. Conversely, tightening the truss rod (turning clockwise) will increase neck relief and raise the action. Remember to make only small, gradual adjustments, as even slight alterations can impact the string length and intonation.
In some cases, the neck may exhibit too little bow or insufficient relief. This issue can also be addressed by adjusting the truss rod. Tightening the truss rod will introduce more relief, bringing the neck closer to the ideal slight bow.
It is important to note that if the neck has too much bow, adjusting the truss rod alone may not be sufficient. In such cases, a combination of truss rod adjustments and modifications to the height of the individual string saddles or the entire bridge may be necessary.
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Testing the adjustments
Once you've adjusted the action on your electric bass, you'll need to test the adjustments to ensure they've been carried out correctly. Here are some detailed steps to help you with the testing process:
Firstly, it's important to wait at least 30 minutes after making any significant changes to the string tension or adjustments to the neck of your bass. This waiting period allows the neck to settle into its final position, and longer waits will result in more accurate adjustments. After waiting, you can begin testing the adjustments by following these steps:
- Play Each Fret: Start by playing your bass at each fret. Listen carefully for any buzzing or "fret buzz" sounds, especially on the first 5 frets. If you hear buzzing, it indicates that the action is too low, and you'll need to adjust the truss rod or raise the bridge or individual string saddles.
- Check Neck Relief: Inspect the neck relief to ensure it has the proper amount of bow. The neck of your bass should have a slight bow, and deviations from this can impact playability. If there is too much or too little bow, you'll need to adjust the truss rod accordingly.
- Fret Each String: Test your truss rod adjustment by fretting each string of the bass at every fret. If there is fret buzz in the first 5 frets, the neck is too straight, and you'll need to loosen the truss rod. If the fret buzz occurs only above the 12th fret, there is too much relief, and the truss rod needs to be tightened. Consistent fret buzz up the neck may indicate that the truss rod is set correctly, but the bridge needs to be raised.
- Measure String Height: Use a ruler to measure the string height at various frets, such as the 3rd and 17th frets. Your fretboard has a radius, and your string height should follow that radius. This measurement will help ensure that the action is set correctly across the entire fretboard, not just in specific spots.
- Check Intonation: After making adjustments, check the intonation to ensure the string length is correct for the fret spacing. Play the 12th fret harmonic, and then the 12th fret note. If the fretted note is higher, the string length needs to be lengthened. If the harmonic note is higher, the string length needs to be shortened.
- Seek Professional Advice: If you're unsure about any adjustments or the buzzing persists, consider taking your bass to a reputable luthier or guitar technician. They can examine the instrument, make suggestions, and provide expert adjustments if needed.
Remember, these tests should be performed after making adjustments to the truss rod, bridge, or string saddles. Always take your time, make small adjustments, and retune your bass after each change to ensure accurate results.
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Frequently asked questions
Adjusting the action on an electric bass refers to changing the height of the strings from the fretboard. This is an important part of the instrument's setup and can be affected by temperature and humidity changes.
First, check if the neck of the bass is straight by placing a ruler against the frets. If there is any space between the frets and the ruler, the neck is not straight, and a truss rod adjustment is needed. You may also need to adjust the truss rod if there is buzzing or fret buzz when playing, indicating that the neck relief is too low or too high.
To adjust the truss rod, use an Allen key or screwdriver to loosen or tighten the truss rod nut. Tightening the truss rod nut counterclockwise will raise the action, while loosening it clockwise will lower the action. Make small adjustments and retune the strings after each change to check the result.
The neck of an electric bass should normally have a slight bow. If there is too much or too little bow, you can adjust the truss rod as mentioned above or shim the neck with a true wood shim if necessary.
Each string will have two adjusting screws, usually requiring an Allen key or screwdriver. Take each screw up or down by half a turn at a time until you achieve the desired height. Remember to check for fret buzz, indicating the action is too low, and adjust accordingly.
