Lower action affecting sustain of guitars....

[GuitarGuy503]

Monthes back I had setups done on my Les Paul and Strat. I requested a lower action but the guy made it so low there is some string buzzing (not noticeable through amp but more so unplugged). After playing numerous other strats and les pauls since then I have noticed that the lower action I have on my guitars is robbing them of their sustain. My problem is that I don't have enough experience in the department of setups to know exactly how high or low I want the action on my guitars without robbing them or their sustain. Any pointers or info on this issue?

 

[Fender_Punk]

Re: Lower action affecting sustain of guitars....

raise the action just a smidge, see how you like it. If it doesn't give you enough sustain, raise it a tad more. repeat as needed. If you find you don't get the sustain you want at a comfortable action, try heavier strings, if that doesn't work, pups, and if you're STILL not satisfied you clearly want too much sustain, that you'll probably never need that much of!! There's my 2 cents. My action on my Strat is really low and I get all the sustain I want.

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Lower action affecting sustain of guitars....

Once it stops buzzing there is no more natural sustain to be had without going to a heavier string

 

[Pierre]

Re: Lower action affecting sustain of guitars....

Once it stops buzzing there is no more natural sustain to be had without going to a heavier string

Not true.

Back when I loved loooow action I was able to get it VERY low without any buzzing. I'd always get more sustain by raising it.

Fender Punk's right, try raising it and you'll notice your sound getting more open and that may be seen as a longer perceived sustain.

If your pickups are too close to the strings, lower them and hear the difference. If they're too far, raise them.

Make sure everything on the guitar is tightened correctly and that the bridge is properly setup.

Up your string gauge by a step if you want to try, it'll do a little too.

I usually go for about 2.5mm on the low E and a little lower on the high e. More sustain than I need but again I prefer a medium action than a low one...

 

[TheArchitect]

Re: Lower action affecting sustain of guitars....

Its absolutely true. Just because it becomes inaudible doesn't mean it isn't still happening. Once you raise the action enough to stop it you have all the sustain your going to get acoustically from the instrument. On most instruments the action is almost unplayable at that point. Guitar setups are all about tradeoffs

 

[Pierre]

Re: Lower action affecting sustain of guitars....

What becomes inaudible? You said that there wasn't anymore sustain to be had, so why would it be happening? You lost me there.

Furthermore it's possible to get rid of the buzz without lowering the action (with a fret level/dress and a truss rod tweak) and still have a very low action. Raising it then DOES increase sustain.