string height

[Nubus]

Originally Posted by Nubus

what about distance from pickups? does it matter if they are active?

Seriously though, bump on this even if I sound like an idiot. I swear I could hear something funny about the tunning when I was making some adjustment to the saddles the other day. Maybe the pickup will actually pull the string is it gets too close?

[dagosto]

This is actually true. If a pickup is to close to the string it can add strange overtones to the note. Also when the string is closer the magnet pulls harder increasing the tension of the string. Since the string is moving when you play it the amount of magnetic pull will increase and decrease very quickly which will effectively make it seem like there are two very close notes playing at the same time. This can cause beating to occur on a single string and reduce sustain. It gets worse as you move up the neck

I have experimented with this a bit and do leave my pickups rather high but only high enough so the topmost notes are affected, which I rarely use on my bass. It's worth it for the increase s/n.

[smopo24]

i like it low, but not too low. i have bad memories of playing crap guitars with terrible action; never again. usually i play with heavier strings anyways, so the tone/sustain loss isn't all that bad. i used to play a small-run guitar made by a luthier in the 60's that played like a dream; the guy that owned it bought it for $70 on ebay.

[Nubus]

Originally Posted by smopo24

i like it low, but not too low. i have bad memories of playing crap guitars with terrible action; never again. usually i play with heavier strings anyways, so the tone/sustain loss isn't all that bad.

I agree. With heavy strings and a straight neck the loss of sustain isn't an issue. I just make sure that all the notes I use ring out correctly and balance with each other well.

[smopo24]

Originally Posted by Nubus

I agree. With heavy strings and a straight neck the loss of sustain isn't an issue. I just make sure that all the notes I use ring out correctly and balance with each other well.

yea, i hear that i'll have to get the truss rod straightened more often with heavier strings (and also because i use a lot of alternate tunings on top of that); but it's worth it for me.

[mikegee]

low low low super low action for speed and fluency is my choice