String height off the body (not neck)

Last updated on 13 years ago

Poll: String height from body

    Older Status 10mm [11/13]85 %
    Newer Status 14mm [2/13]15 %
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
Unfortunately not many people can answer this question but the lucky ones who have a newer KB or S2 AND an older Series II or 2000 will know there is a big difference in the string height from the body. For me this really has an effect on my playing as my finger gets 'lost' a bit under the G string when slapping!

So, anyone else have experience of this and prefer the 'old way'?

:)
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
enzoenzo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
I noticed also the same thing on my ex KB, I wasn't happy with the height of the strings. The getting 'lost' kind of sensation describes it perfectly, so I'm definitely for the old SII string position.

My Alembic is the same, nice and low, I love it!
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'13 Stealth
D
Don Prince
Senior Member
Posted 13 years ago
I too love the 10mm string height better.

Don.
There is enough music for a lifetime but a lifetime is not enough for music.

Robert Fripp.
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
Brilliant to hear. I told Rob about this a while back but he didn't seem very interested however, if I can show him a bunch of people who have the same feeling then it might encourage him to create a solution!

It's actually one of the reasons I've opted for a couple of old basses instead of a new order from him!

God I would love a KB Mk II with that lower string height. That would be amazing!!
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iEnzo wrote:
I noticed also the same thing on my ex KB, I wasn't happy with the height of the strings. The getting 'lost' kind of sensation describes it perfectly, so I'm definitely for the old SII string position.

My Alembic is the same, nice and low, I love it!


Yes Enzo exactly, the Alembo is perfect!!
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
me4bassme4bass
Veteran Member
Posted 13 years ago
So, Twas Once Moo,

Curious when you may be parting ways with a particular Empathy-5 then? ;)
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

Me4Bass wrote:
So, Twas Once Moo,

Curious when you may be parting ways with a particular Empathy-5 then? ;)


The Empathy 5 has the low string height that I love! I can't see her leaving the fold unless there is a dramatic downward change in temperature in Lucifer's home!!

;)

Sorry old boy.

You need to hope that my long run of 'not getting girls pregnant' suddenly finishes and I have to start feeding another mouth!!

:D
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
stenobassstenobass
Veteran Member
Posted 13 years ago
Interesting Poll!

Owning both models I can not confirm the 10mm string height to be better or worse. I must say both my modern Kingbasses play excellent and have a superb feel. The old Series II plays equally well so there is no big difference for me.

I must say that the 32" scale with BW and the 16.5mm string spacing is real plus on my KB 4, that makes my playing easier.
P
paul clifton
Senior Member
Posted 13 years ago
I prefer the old way - I like fretboard to be fairly flush to the body rather than raised. Although this sometimes leads to blisters on the first knuckle, I like the tight feeling ;)
Kingbass serial number 16 - rosewood and walnut
STATUS Hotwire strings 30-90 hex core
B
bassbus
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
Actually quite a noticable difference. This brings to mind the reason Gary Willis put the 'ramp' on his basses. Perhaps a shim of appropriate wood between the neck and front pickup might be a solution. Just on a quick try between my S2000 and S2, I do like the lower height of the S2000. I don't slap though but if I did that's what I would like.
Angry-CanuckAngry-Canuck
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
[movie=youtube]ussCHoQttyQ[/movie]
4 Asians, 2 Brits, 1 French and also some basses
enzoenzo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iMoo wrote:
I told Rob about this a while back but he didn't seem very interested...


Did he give you a reason why he's building this way, does that improve something from his point of view?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
'13 Stealth
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
I'm just noting this day in my diary for all of mankind to know... This was the day Todd had NO opinion!

:o

The horror!!
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
enzoenzo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iMoo wrote:
I'm just noting this day in my diary for all of mankind to know... This was the day Todd had NO opinion!

:o

The horror!!


We must be getting close to the Maya predictions :|
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
'13 Stealth
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iEnzo wrote:

Quote

iMoo wrote:
I told Rob about this a while back but he didn't seem very interested...


Did he give you a reason why he's building this way, does that improve something from his point of view?


He didn't say. I would imagine a certain famous bass player's fingers have got fatter and, well, we'll leave it there shall we!!

:D
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iEnzo wrote:

Quote

iMoo wrote:
I'm just noting this day in my diary for all of mankind to know... This was the day Todd had NO opinion!

:o

The horror!!


We must be getting close to the Maya predictions :|


:D :D :D
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
Angry-CanuckAngry-Canuck
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago
Judging by the response, this is something Rob should look into. Maybe an optional arch for the body to bring it closer to the strings or something similar.
I suspect that with the modern design of neck, joining to the body etc puts the fretboard up that much higher. But another factor would be incorporating the present day monorail bridges to accommodate the height difference as well......
Probably a lot more engineering and development required than it seems initially. Making the whole body thicker would create balance and weight issues. If you think about it, unless you just slap on a slab of something (which would probably look like shit), its a complete redesign.
4 Asians, 2 Brits, 1 French and also some basses
Angry-CanuckAngry-Canuck
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iMoo wrote:
I would imagine a certain famous bass player's fingers have got fatter and, well, we'll leave it there shall we!!

:D


I am NOT famous!!!!
4 Asians, 2 Brits, 1 French and also some basses
Angry-CanuckAngry-Canuck
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iEnzo wrote:

Quote

iMoo wrote:
I'm just noting this day in my diary for all of mankind to know... This was the day Todd had NO opinion!

:o

The horror!!


We must be getting close to the Maya predictions :|



Hmmm, maybe I need to see a doctor.......there is a new Japanese doctor in my area, perhaps she can give me a proper examination.
4 Asians, 2 Brits, 1 French and also some basses
moomoo
Fusioneer
Posted 13 years ago

Quote

iTodd wrote:
Judging by the response, this is something Rob should look into. Maybe an optional arch for the body to bring it closer to the strings or something similar.
I suspect that with the modern design of neck, joining to the body etc puts the fretboard up that much higher. But another factor would be incorporating the present day monorail bridges to accommodate the height difference as well......
Probably a lot more engineering and development required than it seems initially. Making the whole body thicker would create balance and weight issues. If you think about it, unless you just slap on a slab of something (which would probably look like shit), its a complete redesign.


Actually I have a very simple solution!

But that's why I'm a genius and you need someone to help you tie your shoe laces in the morning!

"No Todd... Our shoes don't go on our winkle do they!!!"

:|

Mind you... good effort for getting a pair of size 11 shoes on the old man!! Way to go fella!!
Strata #05 - Status Series II #94 - Status Series II #147 - Status Series II #230 - Status Series II #487 - Status Series II 5 string #58 - Status Series 2000 #106 - Status Series 2000 #327 (FPPR) - Status Empathy #2009 ’93 - Status Empathy 5 string '95 - Status King Bass '06 moo wood - Status King Bass '07 moo wood fretless - Alembic MK Sig Deluxe '88 - Alembic Inside Out Brown Bass ’11 - JayDee Series I 'Starchild' '08 - JayDee Series I Cherry Red ’19 - Sei Bass Flamboyant - Sei Bass Flamboyant Offset - Ibanez SR2600 ’18 - Ibanez SRMS 805 ’19 - Ibanez SR1405 ’19 - Vigier Passion Series I #623 '88 - Vigier Arpege Series II #249 '84 - Vigier Arpege Series III #088 '86 - Shuker Custom Series 2 ‘08 - Warwick Thumb 4 TN '89
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