the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

[astrozombie]

the treble side is at 2/64 and it's barely buzzing.

I've always thought of playability in terms of action as a sign of a quality guitar.

agreed?

ever have a guitar with low action like this?

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

How are you measuring?

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

wouldnt that be 1/32 actually? and again measured from what to wear?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

I should have mentioned that, sorry.

2/64th does equal 1/32

from the bottom of the e string to the top of the 17th fret.

the bass side is 3/64ths.

 

[Bludave]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

i could never play with action that low. IMHO the strings need to be higher off the frets to allow them to vibrate properly. You will get better tone & the guitar with have more sustain. Now that's in my case. I have seen jazz players guitars set up right on the frets, but they don't really bend and I guess they need it that low to play as fast as they feel they need to. For me. I go with a minimum of 1/8". I like "acoustic" guitar action on electrics!

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

i could never play with action that low. IMHO the strings need to be higher off the frets to allow them to vibrate properly. You will get better tone & the guitar with have more sustain. Now that's in my case. I have seen jazz players guitars set up right on the frets, but they don't really bend and I guess they need it that low to play as fast as they feel they need to. For me. I go with a minimum of 1/8". I like "acoustic" guitar action on electrics!

It's always a constant battle for me too, I hate how low action works out for some techniques but other sounds arent as full.

this action will probably go up a little. maybe 3/64 both sides, maybe 3/64 and 4/64..

 

[Archer_of_Fish]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

I set mine quite low, about 1.5 mm at the 12th fret. I measure from the bottom of the string to the top of the fret

 

[ErikH]

You're measuring at the wrong fret. Put a capo on the first fret, then measure it at the 9th fret. That's closer to the middle of the neck. The 17th fret is so high up there that you're past the relief in the neck and in to the neck/body joint.

The capo is so you can get a more realistic measurement or buzz and hear what it sounds like when the strings are pressed down.

 

[Powdered Toast Man]

You would be shocked at how high the action is on many pro player's guitars.

 

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

the treble side is at 2/64 and it's barely buzzing.

I've always thought of playability in terms of action as a sign of a quality guitar.

agreed?

ever have a guitar with low action like this?

my jackson's and RG have a action of less than a 16th" at the last fret on the low E and high E no buzz or dead spots:fing2: I do my own fret dressing
I have what is known as a micro action

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

I have what is known as a micro action

Is that what she told you?

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

my jackson's and RG have a action of less than a 16th" at the last fret on the low E and high E no buzz or dead spots:fing2: I do my own fret dressing
I have what is known as a micro action

that would no doubt buzz under my hands.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

You're measuring at the wrong fret. Put a capo on the first fret, then measure it at the 9th fret. That's closer to the middle of the neck. The 17th fret is so high up there that you're past the relief in the neck and in to the neck/body joint.

The capo is so you can get a more realistic measurement or buzz and hear what it sounds like when the strings are pressed down.

at any rate, the bridge is at it's lowest at the treble side.

 

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

that would no doubt buzz under my hands.

are you a heavy handed player?
I have to play with a light touch it is the only way to achieve YJM like speeds
IF you dig in you sound like kirk hammet or dave mustaine drunk:smack::laugh2:

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

are you a heavy handed player?
I have to play with a light touch it is the only way to achieve YJM like speeds
IF you dig in you sound like kirk hammet or dave mustaine drunk:smack::laugh2:

I've come to the conclusion that my hand is easy on the strings because everyone who plays my guitar makes it buzz.

 

[SAVAGE DISTORTION]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

I've come to the conclusion that my hand is easy on the strings because everyone who plays my guitar makes it buzz.

yeah i know what you mean,i have that same problem everyone but me that plays my guitars make them sound really buzzy and wrong, the intonation sound off and everything??? I dont like others to play me guitars anyway(just as i dont want no one F88kin my girl but me) so thats a great excuse to tell them NO you cant play it!:biglaugh:

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

yeah i know what you mean,i have that same problem everyone but me that plays my guitars make them sound really buzzy and wrong, the intonation sound off and everything??? I dont like others to play me guitars anyway(just as i dont want no one F88kin my girl but me) so thats a great excuse to tell them NO you cant play it!:biglaugh:

I don't mind sharing my guitar with certain people, but I wouldn't lend it to anyone.

the truth is that the tone is in the person.

"you pick a guitar and it becomes a part of your personality. It's because of the emotional content, the DNA you leave behind when you sweat and hold the strings and the secrets you tell it".

Steve Vai (loosely quoted)

 

[LReese]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

my jackson's and RG have a action of less than a 16th" at the last fret on the low E and high E no buzz or dead spots:fing2: I do my own fret dressing
I have what is known as a micro action

that would no doubt buzz under my hands.

I've got one at 1/16th at the 22nd fret - no real issues (except a touch higher would be better for me - Don't have the heart to mess up the set up on this one). Just have to keep the truss rod tweaked.

 

[astrozombie]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

I find that I can set the neck pretty straight with minimal drawbacks in regards to tone. If I play an open position chord and slam the strings, it will no doubt buzz, but typical strumming sounds fine.

 

[papersoul]

Re: the action on my guitar is as low as it goes

I have set up my guitars with action that low before...but there is no reason. You lose tone with it that low. I never go below 2/32" and even that is low.
You will have better tone and sustain with higher action.
You have a more versatile axe with higher action.