Hi,
I just bought a Harley Benton fretless jazz bass, it needs better strings and a setup.
Are the guidelines for nut height the same as a fretted bass - fretting the string behind the 2nd fret/marker, there should be only the tiniest bit of clearance above 1st? I feel like the nut is a bit high, in my opinion too much force is required to fret the 1st position and it intonates a bit sharp.
Also, string action, the same height above the fretboard as normally above frets, or lower?
Although method varies from one person to another, the short answer is yes, I set mine up just like I do a fretted bass…as a starting point.
You can of course lower the action as much as your neck (and playing style) will allow - but since you are new to fretless I would at least start with what you are familiar with on fretted.
How true your neck is will dictate how low you can physically go.
Nut height would also be the same setup.
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As @John_E said, it’s pretty much the same. The only hiccup I found is when you’re working on the intonation, remember to put your fingers ON the lines as opposed to behind them like you would on a fretted. Even then, it takes a few tries to get it right.
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I was thinking of using a credit card or such directly on the 12th marker, for accuracy and consistency when setting up.
I’ve read that going lower with the setup brings out more of those fretless harmonics, is that correct?
I haven’t personally heard that but that’s not saying much. Would be interesting to test out.