How high is low and how low is high?
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Grandturk
Guest
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
Low for me is about the width of a jazz iii between the 12th fret and the bottom of the high E
Low for me is about the width of a jazz iii between the 12th fret and the bottom of the high E
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I usually prefer my action a little high because it feels more satisfying for me to play it like that. I tend to get more aggressive when I play with high action and I like that in my sound. Plus, I play with a lot of big bends and sustaining notes so it's easier for me to get in under the strings and damp them with my fretting hand on those bends. Apparently the tone and sustain are better with a higher action too, though I've never had mine low enough to compare it.
On my main guitar I've got it set at just over 3mm from the top of the twelfth fret to the bottom of the high E, which is about as low as I ever go with it. Stick a Custom8 and an alder body under those bad boys and a roaring Laney 2x12 at the end of a lead and you'll understand why 'aggressive' is a good thing.
EDIT: I've no idea what that would be in common nomenclature. Medium? Medium/high? I've just realised my post is almost completely irrelevant to your question, lol.
I usually prefer my action a little high because it feels more satisfying for me to play it like that. I tend to get more aggressive when I play with high action and I like that in my sound. Plus, I play with a lot of big bends and sustaining notes so it's easier for me to get in under the strings and damp them with my fretting hand on those bends. Apparently the tone and sustain are better with a higher action too, though I've never had mine low enough to compare it.
On my main guitar I've got it set at just over 3mm from the top of the twelfth fret to the bottom of the high E, which is about as low as I ever go with it. Stick a Custom8 and an alder body under those bad boys and a roaring Laney 2x12 at the end of a lead and you'll understand why 'aggressive' is a good thing.
EDIT: I've no idea what that would be in common nomenclature. Medium? Medium/high? I've just realised my post is almost completely irrelevant to your question, lol.
eschoendorff
New member
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I had similar questions and then I bought these two things:
http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-300-Precision-Stainless/dp/B00004T7SW
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-Erlewine/dp/0879302917
Now setting up my action is a breeze. On guitars with tremolos, I use Fender specs as a starting point. On guitars without trems, I use Gibson specs as a starting point. Works quite well.
I had similar questions and then I bought these two things:
http://www.amazon.com/General-Tools-300-Precision-Stainless/dp/B00004T7SW
http://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Player-Repair-Guide-Erlewine/dp/0879302917
Now setting up my action is a breeze. On guitars with tremolos, I use Fender specs as a starting point. On guitars without trems, I use Gibson specs as a starting point. Works quite well.
sbecker67
New member
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
This.
And this.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Cleaning,_maintenance/Basic_Setup_Kit.html
I find that I don't differ very much from the Fender/Gibson specs.
This.
And this.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Special_tools_for:_Cleaning,_maintenance/Basic_Setup_Kit.html
I find that I don't differ very much from the Fender/Gibson specs.
super rad stuff
Skaforlifeologist
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
i like mine low-ish, and just from stickin' a 1.14mm tortex jazz pick between the E strings and 12th fret of both my SG and mockingbird, i'm gonna guess that their action is about 1.2mm for the SG and 1.3mm for the mockingbird. dey plai like buttuh!
i like mine low-ish, and just from stickin' a 1.14mm tortex jazz pick between the E strings and 12th fret of both my SG and mockingbird, i'm gonna guess that their action is about 1.2mm for the SG and 1.3mm for the mockingbird. dey plai like buttuh!
richard parker
New member
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I just measured my SG and my Firebird. Both about 3mm at the 12th fret, 10 gauge strings. Feel pretty good to me.
I just measured my SG and my Firebird. Both about 3mm at the 12th fret, 10 gauge strings. Feel pretty good to me.
astrozombie
KatyPerryologist
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
3mm? how do you play your guitar? :eyecrazy:
I usually set up my guitars to about 4/64 on each side at the 17th fret. which translates loosely to like 2mm. thats on my 7.5 radius guitars. if we're talking 9.5, like most of my instruments, I do 4/64 on the bass side and 3/64 on treble....
which i think is 2mm and 1.5 respectively. i thought this was high action, my guitars are capable of much lower.
I usually prefer my action a little high because it feels more satisfying for me to play it like that. I tend to get more aggressive when I play with high action and I like that in my sound. Plus, I play with a lot of big bends and sustaining notes so it's easier for me to get in under the strings and damp them with my fretting hand on those bends. Apparently the tone and sustain are better with a higher action too, though I've never had mine low enough to compare it.
On my main guitar I've got it set at just over 3mm from the top of the twelfth fret to the bottom of the high E, which is about as low as I ever go with it. Stick a Custom8 and an alder body under those bad boys and a roaring Laney 2x12 at the end of a lead and you'll understand why 'aggressive' is a good thing.
EDIT: I've no idea what that would be in common nomenclature. Medium? Medium/high? I've just realised my post is almost completely irrelevant to your question, lol.
3mm? how do you play your guitar? :eyecrazy:
I usually set up my guitars to about 4/64 on each side at the 17th fret. which translates loosely to like 2mm. thats on my 7.5 radius guitars. if we're talking 9.5, like most of my instruments, I do 4/64 on the bass side and 3/64 on treble....
which i think is 2mm and 1.5 respectively. i thought this was high action, my guitars are capable of much lower.
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I'm pretty into medium to medium high action. i usually raise the action a hair when I set up a guitar the first time. I like to beat on my guitars a lil sometimes and even the slightest fret buzz just gets on me. I don't do any of that flashy-super-fast-sweep-picking-arpeggio-legato-vibrato-molto mario stuff anyways.
I'm pretty into medium to medium high action. i usually raise the action a hair when I set up a guitar the first time. I like to beat on my guitars a lil sometimes and even the slightest fret buzz just gets on me. I don't do any of that flashy-super-fast-sweep-picking-arpeggio-legato-vibrato-molto mario stuff anyways.
wahwah
GumbyLoveologist
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I just checked mine and it's 3.5 mm from the top of the fret to the low E at the 12th. I can't play guitars with a low action, I like hearing chords ring out and I like having plenty of percussive attack on individual notes. String gauge is 11-48 in standard.
Cheers........................................ wahwah
I just checked mine and it's 3.5 mm from the top of the fret to the low E at the 12th. I can't play guitars with a low action, I like hearing chords ring out and I like having plenty of percussive attack on individual notes. String gauge is 11-48 in standard.
Cheers........................................ wahwah
FuseG4
Our Neighbor Totoro
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I should say my LP and strat are both about the same at 2.8mm or 7/64". The tele's a lil lower at maybe 2.75mm or so? Interesting that I got them to about the same spot based on feel. I've never measured it before today.
I use 10's.
I should say my LP and strat are both about the same at 2.8mm or 7/64". The tele's a lil lower at maybe 2.75mm or so? Interesting that I got them to about the same spot based on feel. I've never measured it before today.
I use 10's.
jake_xms3_punk
New member
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
funny i always considered my action to be low, and i just messured some of mine and they are all 3-4mm lol thats the lowest i can get it with no buzz though, wouldn't mind going a hair lower on a few of my guitars
funny i always considered my action to be low, and i just messured some of mine and they are all 3-4mm lol thats the lowest i can get it with no buzz though, wouldn't mind going a hair lower on a few of my guitars
Kam
Shaftologist
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
Pretty badly.
Though that's nothing to do with the action.
Pretty badly.
Though that's nothing to do with the action.
tone4days
Heel Whacker
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
i'll measure all mine this weekend to get numbers
i use 10-46 strings and like my action medium to highish ... i am pretty ham handed (both hands) and really do not like to hear any fret slap/buzz/etc even if it doesnt come through the amp
i'll measure all mine this weekend to get numbers
i use 10-46 strings and like my action medium to highish ... i am pretty ham handed (both hands) and really do not like to hear any fret slap/buzz/etc even if it doesnt come through the amp
Chickenwings
Alnico 6/8
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
Low and high are relative terms. You must also take into account neck relief and fingerboard radius as well as scale length. So i guess high and low also takes into account guitar type and style of playing too. Strict measurements such as those in the factory manuals are just a guideline and not set in stone.
High = bad points: difficult to depress the string and sometimes difficult to get accurate intonation. Good points: More projection, more dynamics.
Low = bad points: buzzing, lack of dynamics and sustain. good points: easy on the left hand.
Here is a quick, simple formula to get a low, clean souding action if it interests you tho:
Step 1: set the bridge saddle height by depressing the fret that is above the neck/body join. Keep lowering the bridge saddle until it buzzes when you play loudly. Raise it until you can play hard with no buzz. Repeat on each string.
Step 2: Either put a capo on the 5th fret or play a bar chord on the 5th fret. Increase neck tension by half a turn only. Retune. Play the chord/capo again. Keep tensioning and retuning by half turns until you get buzz. Back it off half a turn.
Step 3: Play the 1st string 12th fret harmonic and tune it with a digital tuner. Play the note on the 12th fret. If the fretted note is sharper than the harmonic, then dial the bridge saddle back towards the tailpiece by a turn. If the note is flat, then dial the saddle up towards the neck by a turn. Retune the string with the harmonic. Repeat until intonation is perfect. Repeat on all the strings.
Step 4: Check the tuning at the 12th fret harmonic again and check that the note on the first fret is in tune - if not then your nut may need adjustment, but that is not a quick or easy job and best left to an experienced tech. or luthier.
You may find you want it lower - but you will have to deal with fret buzz. Of course you can set it higher if you want more projection or if you like to play really hard with the right hand, but this is really for acoustic guitars - electrics dont need as much due to the pickups. Some of the older fender guitars had a very small neck radius which was designed to make bar chords easier to play, but they have a tendency for some high notes to "choke" when you bend them, so vintage fender type radiused necks (7") will need a higher action than more modern (10") or flatter (12") radiuses.
This method will work on any guitar with a truss rod and individually adjustable bridge saddles. However, if you change string gauge then be prepared to start all over again!
Low and high are relative terms. You must also take into account neck relief and fingerboard radius as well as scale length. So i guess high and low also takes into account guitar type and style of playing too. Strict measurements such as those in the factory manuals are just a guideline and not set in stone.
High = bad points: difficult to depress the string and sometimes difficult to get accurate intonation. Good points: More projection, more dynamics.
Low = bad points: buzzing, lack of dynamics and sustain. good points: easy on the left hand.
Here is a quick, simple formula to get a low, clean souding action if it interests you tho:
Step 1: set the bridge saddle height by depressing the fret that is above the neck/body join. Keep lowering the bridge saddle until it buzzes when you play loudly. Raise it until you can play hard with no buzz. Repeat on each string.
Step 2: Either put a capo on the 5th fret or play a bar chord on the 5th fret. Increase neck tension by half a turn only. Retune. Play the chord/capo again. Keep tensioning and retuning by half turns until you get buzz. Back it off half a turn.
Step 3: Play the 1st string 12th fret harmonic and tune it with a digital tuner. Play the note on the 12th fret. If the fretted note is sharper than the harmonic, then dial the bridge saddle back towards the tailpiece by a turn. If the note is flat, then dial the saddle up towards the neck by a turn. Retune the string with the harmonic. Repeat until intonation is perfect. Repeat on all the strings.
Step 4: Check the tuning at the 12th fret harmonic again and check that the note on the first fret is in tune - if not then your nut may need adjustment, but that is not a quick or easy job and best left to an experienced tech. or luthier.
You may find you want it lower - but you will have to deal with fret buzz. Of course you can set it higher if you want more projection or if you like to play really hard with the right hand, but this is really for acoustic guitars - electrics dont need as much due to the pickups. Some of the older fender guitars had a very small neck radius which was designed to make bar chords easier to play, but they have a tendency for some high notes to "choke" when you bend them, so vintage fender type radiused necks (7") will need a higher action than more modern (10") or flatter (12") radiuses.
This method will work on any guitar with a truss rod and individually adjustable bridge saddles. However, if you change string gauge then be prepared to start all over again!
Brown Note
New member
Re: How high is low and how low is high?
I like to have as low action as possible without fret buzz. For Floyd rose equipped quitars around 2-2.5mm on the 24th fret is fine as it allows quite aggressive tremolo use. For my TOM bridged guitars I have less than 1.5mm on the 22th fret on both high and low strings.
I like to have as low action as possible without fret buzz. For Floyd rose equipped quitars around 2-2.5mm on the 24th fret is fine as it allows quite aggressive tremolo use. For my TOM bridged guitars I have less than 1.5mm on the 22th fret on both high and low strings.
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