Setting Up Your Bass Guitar: Bridge Action Height Adjustment (Step 2 of 4)

John Carruthers shows us the proper way to adjust the Bridge. This video is step 2 of a 4 part series. Videos include adjusting the Truss Rod, Bridge, Nut and Intonation.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Bass
• Guitar
• Setup

[jd261808]

How do I do this on an SG bass? The saddle can't be raised like this P bass??

[ElixirStringsMedia]

@jd261808 If that's a tune-o-matic style bridge, we have a video for that! Look for Setting Up Your Tune-o-Matic Guitar.  If you're not sure, check with Gibson (or your manufacturer) and/or the owners manual if you still have it. Best of luck!

[lec240vo]

@darkokostadinovic Its an imperial measurement and reads as 4/32nd. It could also be written as1/8th as you can go down to the lowest value (ie 8/64ths = 4/32nds = 2/16ths = 1/8th).

Anyway 4/32nd (or 1/8th) = 3.175mm.

Hope this helps!!

By the way great video - thanks !!!

[fukikobassplayer]

I just wanted to say that this evening I followed this guys steps to correctly set up my Fender J and P basses. Wow. What a difference. I'd urge any players out there to buy a capo, 32nds ruler, alen keys and feeler gauges and do this job yourself! No sense paying a guitar tech £45-£80 to set up your bass when you can do it at home just as well. This has transformed my jazz bass from a buzzing mess into something I can honestly say sounds like a different bass. Thank you!

[SlayerallicaSeid]

I did it just like the video tell u the truth I didn't like it that much, kinda uncomfortable :/ I turned back to my old setting great video though :) Good job

[albrechtone]

Mine is 4,5 mm! time to adjust!

[pleximanic]

4/32nd WOW That's seriously high action!

[wbaloo1]

man I wish grade school was all like this.. just hanging out with this dude.. fixing basses..

[tetra3000]

great video though I always thought action was measured at the 12th fret as opposed to where the neck meets the guitar

[cowboytekk]

Wow i love this, you sound just like droopy from the cartoon, and your very helpful thank you, i really appreciate it. and if i get some money ill go get your book too

[manintoynenam]

4/32 in what fret?

[jd261808]

I tune to B so the 4/32 on the ruler sort of is not working out for me. What do you recommend for the bridge height in 32 for B tuning? Thanks!

[DaveRelph001]

I followed the steps in the video, but my E string still buzzes around frets 5 and 6, they've always done in no matter what height I set the action at the bridge, and my G string never seems to be able to raise off the 1st fret and has always buzzed whenever I play any note on it. I'm following the video to the letter, or indeed to the number, am I doing something wrong or is there something wrong with my bass if the problem is still persisting? Thanks.