Bass guitar action height
Fender's setup guide for its basses measures action at the 17th fret: 6/64″ (2.4 mm) on the E string and 5/64″ (2.0 mm) on the G, with 0.012″ (0.3 mm) of neck relief. The E sits higher because the thickest string swings widest; the G can go lower without rattling.
Bass action, Fender
E and G at the 17th fret and neck relief, from Fender's bass setup guide.
| Instrument | Low (mm) | High (mm) | Relief (mm) | Fret |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fender bass | 2.4 | 2.0 | 0.3 | 17 |
How to use it
- Tune to pitch. Capo the 1st fret, hold the E at the last fret and measure the gap at the 8th: aim for 0.012″.
- Measure the E and G at the 17th fret, from the top of the fret to the underside of the string, and enter both.
- Raise or lower each saddle by the amount shown, turning both of its height screws equally. Retune and measure again.
Help and explanations
Choose the Fender bass profile, keep the 34″ scale that's filled in, enter what you measured and see how far each saddle has to move.
The 17th fret and the 1.6 ratio
On a 34″ (863.6 mm) scale the 17th fret is 540 mm from the nut, so action there changes by about 1/1.6 of what the saddle moves. To bring the E from 3.0 mm to Fender's 2.4 mm, lower its saddle 0.96 mm (0.038″). At the 12th fret the factor would be 2.
Set the A and D saddles between the E and G so the four strings follow the curve of the fingerboard. If the middle strings sit lower than the radius, they'll buzz first.
Truss rod, playing style and frets
A bass set pulls far harder on the neck than a guitar set, so a small change in relief shows up quickly at the 17th fret. Tighten the rod a little if the gap at the 8th is more than 0.012″; loosen it if the string touches the middle frets. Work in quarter turns and give the neck time to settle.
Fender's numbers are a factory starting point. Slap players and light-touch players often go lower; players who dig in with a pick or fingers go higher. Set relief first, then the saddles. If one note dies or buzzes while the rest of the neck is clean, look for a high fret before changing the setup.
Tips
- After moving the saddles up or down, set each string's octave again with the intonation checker.
- Moving from a 45–100 to a 45–105 set changes the pull on the neck: check the numbers in the string tension calculator before adjusting the rod.
- Fitting a new nut or bridge? Bass string spacing places each string.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard action on a bass guitar?
Fender's spec is 6/64″ (2.4 mm) on the E and 5/64″ (2.0 mm) on the G, measured at the 17th fret.
How much relief should a bass neck have?
Fender gives 0.012″ (0.3 mm), measured at the 8th fret with a capo at the 1st and the string held at the last fret.
How much do I lower a bass saddle?
About 1.6 times the change you want at the 17th fret. To drop the E from 3.0 to 2.4 mm there, lower the saddle 0.96 mm.
Which way do I turn a bass truss rod?
Tighten (clockwise, looking at the adjuster) to straighten the neck and reduce relief; loosen to add relief. A quarter turn at a time.
Is 6/64″ too high for a bass?
It's Fender's factory figure, not a rule. Many players go lower, especially for slap; if the strings rattle against the frets, go back toward 6/64″ and 5/64″.