Question on P-bass Bridge height

[vanstry]

Okay, question on bridge height for a P-bass. According to the Carruthers, the Fender guy, you should set the height as follows (measured on the fret where the neck meets the body)
E = 4/32"
A = 3.5/32" (or 7/64 for the 'exact' folks )
D = 3.5/32"
G = 3/32"

I had been under the (probably mistaken) idea that you set them all to the same height. I set mine up as listed above, but I'm curious as to what the rest of you tend to do. I know that setting action is a very personal thing, and playing styles affect it. But honestly, I've gotten a lot of good advice here, so I thought I'd ask.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

It's a baseline starting point.  Each instrument will behave slightly differently in a subjective manner.

I tend to set up basses similarly because the lower strings vibrate elliptically in a much wider range due to their longer waveform nature.  They need more room to vibrate.

 

[AirCap]

Actually, you are setting string height off the neck at the bridge.... And, yes - the trebles will usually be lower than the basses.

Here's the rundown: String and tune to pitch. Adjust truss rod for correct relief. Adjust string height from bridge (I capo at the first fret when doing this). Then set string height at the nut via filing. DONE. Should be a beautiful thing at that point.

 

[TBurst Std]

Actually, you are setting string height off the neck at the bridge.... And, yes - the trebles will usually be lower than the basses.

Here's the rundown: String and tune to pitch. Adjust truss rod for correct relief. Adjust string height from bridge (I capo at the first fret when doing this). Then set string height at the nut via filing. DONE. Should be a beautiful thing at that point.

FTW

 

[vanstry]

AirCap: Yeah, I did all of that and in that order (and checked it all again this morning after letting it set for two days). Then I went and set the intonation, which amazingly, the A, D, and G strings needed almost no adjustment (that E string however!).

I just thought I'd see what others had to say.

 

[AirCap]

..... and checked it all again this morning after letting it set for two days.....

It's worth noting that on new builds, where the body and neck have never been strung up before - letting it set a couple days under tension is always a wise thing to do. The two pieces of wood haven't yet snapped to the fact that they are no longer living trees - but now are musical instruments.

Even after 40 years of working on guitars, it never fails to put a smile on my face when a stringed instrument finally "wakes up". This is especially true on acoustic instruments. It even happens on older instruments that have been unstrung for years. I put a broken upright German bass back together that had been lying in pieces after a dog had knocked it over. I finally was able to string it up to tension, and it was literally whisper quiet. So I let it sit for 2 days. When I plucked the strings again - it let out a full throated rumble worthy of Mingus.

Gawd - working on this stuff is so satisfying!