The Ultimate Guide to Bass Action Height and String Setup
Getting the right bass string height is key to unlocking a comfortable and expressive playing experience. Whether you slap, pop, fingerstyle, or use a pick, your bass action height directly impacts tone, feel, and playability. In this guide, we’ll break down everything you need to know about bass string height and how to dial it in based on your playing style, especially if you’re into slapping.
What Is Bass Action Height?
Bass action height refers to the distance between your strings and the fretboard. It’s usually measured in millimeters or inches at key fret locations. A lower action makes it easier to play fast and with less effort, while a higher action gives more room for dynamic playing and reduces fret buzz — especially useful for slap bass.
Bass Action Height for Slapping
If you’re into bass action height slapping, you’ll want a slightly higher action compared to standard fingerstyle players. Slap and pop techniques can cause strings to bounce and hit frets aggressively, which results in unwanted buzzing if the action is too low.
Ideal slap bass action height:
- At 12th fret: Around 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm
- Slightly higher action helps manage the extra force from slapping
- Flatwound or roundwound strings may affect ideal setup
Bass String Height at 12th Fret (in mm)
The most common place to measure bass string height is at the 12th fret. This is where the string tension and neck relief balance out.
Recommended bass string height at 12th fret (mm):
- Low action: 1.5 mm to 2.0 mm
- Medium action: 2.0 mm to 2.5 mm
- High action (slap-friendly): 2.5 mm to 3.0 mm+
Bass String Height at 12th Fret (in inches)
Prefer working in inches? Here’s the same guide converted.
Bass string height at 12th fret (inches):
- Low action: 0.059″ to 0.078″
- Medium action: 0.078″ to 0.098″
- High action: 0.098″ to 0.118″+
Use feeler gauges or a string action ruler to get accurate results.
Bass String Height at 1st Fret
Don’t ignore the bass string height at 1st fret, it’s critical for intonation and preventing open string buzz. If it’s too high, playing lower frets feels stiff. If too low, open strings may buzz.
Recommended height at 1st fret:
- Around 0.5 mm to 0.75 mm
- In inches: 0.020″ to 0.030″
This measurement depends heavily on your bass string height at nut, which brings us to the next point.
Bass String Height at Nut
The bass string height at nut determines how your bass feels when playing open strings and notes near the nut. If your nut slots are too high, you’ll struggle with fretting the first few notes.
Target measurements:
- 0.5 mm clearance over the 1st fret
- Smooth transitions between fretted and open notes
Using a Bass String Height Gauge
To dial in your setup accurately, use a bass string height gauge or string action ruler. These inexpensive tools take the guesswork out of measuring and help maintain consistency across all strings and frets.
Final Thoughts: Fine-Tune Your Bass String Height in MM or Inches
Whether you’re chasing the perfect slap tone or smooth fingerstyle groove, setting your bass string height correctly is key. Start by measuring at the 12th fret in mm or inches, check the 1st fret and nut height, and use a proper bass string height gauge. Every bass is different, so trust your ears and hands as much as the numbers.
