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[DrVet]

Hi everyone, 

I've recently purchased an Ash, and seems to me the strings are a bit to high apart form the neck board.

Since this is a fretless, I don't see any reason not to have the lowest action possible (distance between strings and fingerboard), because there are no wories about fret buzz 

Is there a way to lower the strings?

tnx,

F.

[Wiley]

Since this is a fretless, I don't see any reason not to have the lowest action possible (distance between strings and fingerboard), because there are no wories about fret buzz 

Is there a way to lower the strings?

Be careful before you consider lowering the strings!  The mass and friction of the thick silicone or polyurethane strings causes them to move a bit less predictably when compared to conventional metal-wound bass strings.  I'd be more than a little concerned that the "E" and "A" strings would cause more problems than the lowered action might benefit you.  My guess is that Fender has done quite a bit of testing before settling on the current action.

To my knowledge, there is no adjustment available other than an irreversible go at the saddle and nut with a file.  Additionally, it's not like you can hit up a luthier for a quick readjustment if you don't like the results.

[tauzero]

Looking at that action, it's the same as mine - about the same as the thickness of the E string. The silicone strings would smack the fretboard if it was much lower. There's a considerable difference between playing an Ashbory with a 6.5mm action and a normal bass with the same action.

[Gman]

I have never tried to lower the action on my basses. I don't see the reason to.

G

[ProDigit]

filing the nut is reversible.
You can fill up the groove with crazy glue, and let it dry up, or double/tripple/quad fold a piece of paper and get it under the string at the nut.
That way you could correct the string a bit.
Generally a string has a good height when it is between 0.4 and 2 mm from the fretboard.
The string should not cause extra buzz when filing off the nut, but does when lowering the bridge height.

*Edit: The E and A string are indeed at their lowest position. The D string could be lowered by 1mm, and the G string by 2mm. The only possible way is to file off the nut (of all strings). That would give you a lower action on the nut, and file off a bit on the bridge of the D and G string*

Lowering the string could result in the neck bowing backwards a bit, causing 'fret' or neck buzz; especially with the silicone strings setting the neck of the ashbory might take weeks before it takes on it's final shape.
Even with a regular bass, adjusting string and string tension could lead to the neck bending over time, as much as a week before the neck has fully adjusted itself.

I'd say to be very careful with filing the nut, don't overdo it, and give the bass a week to adjust.

This for future readers,as I see that the original topic is nearly a year old..