shredders and low action ?no !

[always SD]

http://iheartguitarblog.com/2009/02/interview-michael-angelo-batio.html#sthash.RxxFPdXk.dpbs


IHG: Some people like the guitar to fight them. Others like it to get out of their way and let them play. How do you prefer your string action?

BATIO: If you listen to my sound, I’m the opposite of the Dimebag midrange scoop. In fact, my EQ is so midrangey, and I like that, but the way I get that is my action’s actually pretty high. I don’t use low action, in fact these guitars are set up so low here in Australia that I had to have them raise the action. But that’s my tone. Higher action doesn’t stop me from playing fast.

- See more at: http://iheartguitarblog.com/2009/02...gelo-batio.html#sthash.RxxFPdXk.y7zzi2xJ.dpuf

but i am not agree with that
when i play fast, i like a lazy way of playing
so, not high action

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

Whatever suits you, chief.

[/THREAD]

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

The most important thing is for a guitarist to learn how to setup action (bridge height, relief, perhaps nut height) and experience a wide range of setups from low to high action and light to heavier gauge strings so that you can form a preference.

 

[dave74]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

One man's high is another's low, and I've seen as much as .5mm difference just from two people measuring the action on the exact same guitar. lol
Pic-touch is as much a factor in setting buzz-free action as anything regarding the left-hand feel.

Set too low (for your own touch and/or tension) and it's going to negatively affect tone no matter what tone you like.
Once action is high enough to not be buzzing-out (for your own playing style), then anything higher is doubtful to help in the tone department, and if anything would just take away from the guitar's resonance.

Having it as low as possible for your own style/touch without buzzing-out is going to give the best possible feel and sound.

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

I've never understood what is even meant by people wanting to "dig in" or saying that higher action somehow helps with bends... I've never thought that higher action could in any way help me. I've learned to deal with it when I had to... But I'm not so much of a masochist as to prefer it.

Then again, I can recall maybe two guitars ever that I've found in stores, with action set up low enough to meet my preferences; seems my perception is more extreme than others.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

The most important thing about this thread is that the opening post does not contain an actual question. It merely quotes the opinion expressed by a famous guitarist in an interview then follows that with a contrary opinion.

Both opinions are valid.

Different humans have differently sized digits. There is no one guitar set-up that suits all users or all purposes. (Here, I am pretty much just paraphrasing what PFD already posted.) If there is anything else lurking in the opening post that warrants discussion, it will need to be pointed out.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

One of my biggest pet peeves with the (guitar playing) Metal community is you are "taught": shredstick, jazz picks, and low action. You have these three things and you automatically become one of the most proficient guitarists alive.

I still hold a grudge with that.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

I used heavy (011-012, std tuning) strings and medium action for ages as I'm a really heavy picker. As polyarthritis started to chew / weaken my left fingers during the last 5 years I had to change tactics. Now I use really low action, heavy low strings (my picking hand is still heavy) and 009-008 top strings (bending above that causes pain). Also, instead of power grip I started to work on fretting with light left hand. A decade ago it was all about building power: now it is all about stretching and becoming more flexible. Low action supports that well.

 

[loversmoon]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

I've never understood what is even meant by people wanting to "dig in" or saying that higher action somehow helps with bends... I've never thought that higher action could in any way help me. I've learned to deal with it when I had to... But I'm not so much of a masochist as to prefer it.

Then again, I can recall maybe two guitars ever that I've found in stores, with action set up low enough to meet my preferences; seems my perception is more extreme than others.

I have very small hands and I def prefer low action. I've never found a guitar in a store that I didn't immediately think "this needs set down". So I'm with ya in that regard

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

I've found that tone-wise there's an obvious "sweet spot" regarding action/height. Hit it and everything gets louder/rounder/sweeter. That's what I aim for. It's not very high but not really low either. Too low and you can't "dig in" with the plec...bend's are tough/sound like ass, notes don't ring out/sustain etc. Too high and it gets tougher to play and sounds choppy.

 

[TimmyPage]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

I've never understood what is even meant by people wanting to "dig in" or saying that higher action somehow helps with bends... I've never thought that higher action could in any way help me. I've learned to deal with it when I had to... But I'm not so much of a masochist as to prefer it.

When your action is too low and you pick hard you'll just end up with a bunch of fret buzz that sounds awful. Higher action tends to give the string a bit of breathing room above the frets too, meaning that it can be bent more easily.

That being said, I've always been a fairly low action guy. I have a pretty light but accurate pick attack, and often use hybrid picking styles, so I never really have to worry about fret buzz (from string height at very least).

 

[BloodRose]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

When your action is too low and you pick hard you'll just end up with a bunch of fret buzz that sounds awful. Higher action tends to give the string a bit of breathing room above the frets too, meaning that it can be bent more easily.

That being said, I've always been a fairly low action guy. I have a pretty light but accurate pick attack, and often use hybrid picking styles, so I never really have to worry about fret buzz (from string height at very least).

Yep! Ive had a couple of guits where I set em up so low that everytime Id pick, the string would hit the the frets or fret board. Fretting was a breeze, but if I didn't raise the action some, Id would have had to completely retrain myself to pick softer and that would have been counter productive.. By the same token, was playing my strat today, (the one I need to shim the neck on) and it actually wasnt bad to play and sounds huge cuz the strings can ring so freely.. I was kinda rethinking messing with it..

 

[greekdude]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

high action, heavy strings for practice, low action light strings for performance. And if you are old, then low action, light strings for everything, you can't learn new tricks anyway.

 

[LLL]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

You gotta let your strings breathe... they have an elliptical shape when moving/vibrating, after all.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

Yeah, a lot of the time a 'setup' will mean grabbing a ruler & lowering your strings to 1.5mm on one side and 1.2 or whatever on the other...and your done!

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

The prerequisites for fast playing - paper thin neck, low action, 0.09 gauge - are usually practiced by people with small palms and weak physique. I like a little bit of work-out when playing so my strings are .011 and my action is at the lowest point before the strings hit the frets when the guitar is played unplugged.

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

The prerequisites for fast playing - paper thin neck, low action, 0.09 gauge - are usually practiced by people with small palms and weak physique.

like this guy... :lmao:

 

[always SD]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

The most important thing about this thread is that the opening post does not contain an actual question. It merely quotes the opinion expressed by a famous guitarist in an interview then follows that with a contrary opinion.

you are funny it's like you said a guitar had strings to everybody people have a brain

and i said my point of view too

high action can be good for a bluesman (even if gary Moore had a high action too)
but if i want to play fast i can't play with a high action sitting on my chair
i prefer a low action
that's the problem with my ibanez js !
low action = problem with some bends and frets

 

[AlexR]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

This is a Seinfeld thread

 

[Phantasmagoria]

Re: shredders and low action ?no !

you are funny it's like you said a guitar had strings to everybody people have a brain

and i said my point of view too

high action can be good for a bluesman (even if gary Moore had a high action too)
but if i want to play fast i can't play with a high action sitting on my chair
i prefer a low action
that's the problem with my ibanez js !
low action = problem with some bends and frets

..."medium" action to the rescue!