daveinspain 387 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 Here's the thing, super low action makes a guitar very comfortable and easy to play but seems to me you loose some tonal quality. With a slightly higher action chords seem to sound fuller and ring out longer. What say you? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Searcy 841 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I'm not too good with super low action as I tend to be very heavy handed. Higher action and light gauge strings are the new norm for me. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damian 1,582 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 Here's the thing, super low action makes a guitar very comfortable and easy to play but seems to me you loose some tonal quality. With a slightly higher action chords seem to sound fuller and ring out longer. What say you? IMHO, it's subjective; High, or higher action, due to whatever reason, ie, on purpose, bad neck bow, choice, etc, can make it seem, or, actually, harder to play a guitar.....The result is, the actual result of these guitar conditions...Add into this mix, string guages...Hmmmm.......... Throw into this mix, low action without lowering the pickup height, and you have so-called " Tone Loss." When a guitar is " hard to play " because of it's action, I trust it's due to it's intent to be hard to play....THIS AFFECTS TONE IN A POSITIVE INTENTIONAL WAY....IMHO..... Myself, I prefer nice low action, and I can be as smooth as I want, and as sloppy as I intend it to sound....And my tone is superb.................. Kinda meaning, bad action with heavy strings, once mastered, can create great tone.....It can be done with low action and thin strings...... It takes experience and talent..............Kids always ask about 'SLASHTONE'.....Damn, dead mice have SLASHTONE............. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
pippy 1,550 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 The important factor with me is to get absolutely no fret-buzz whatsoever all the way from the first to the 22nd fret. That dictates how I'll set my action. Neck set-up (fretwork, nut and relief) is, therefore, absolutely crucial to get the lowest action with this condition attached. As far as I've noticed as long as there is no fret-buzz there should be no loss of tone, nor of sustain. P. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Luden 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I think the first thing you have to look at is how straight you can adjust the neck. If the frets are level and you can set it as straight as an arrow, then you can lower the action some without buzzing. Also adding relief to the neck for most is a given, but I think you lose some tone quality's with to much relief. For my SG I have the neck as straight as I can get it by sighting down the neck. My action on both the E, e are 3/64" on the 12th fret. But I've also lowered the nut just a bit as well. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kimbabig 230 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I don't even care about neck tension anymore, I just jack the action up on my guitars and play the damn thing. That's a K-bag setup. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Versatile 465 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I like a variety.... I've got a couple of solids set really low....great fun for fooling fastly around And the toney semis and acoustics set higher.... V Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fl00dsm0k3 34 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 i keep my action low Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GibsonAlmighty 2 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I keep mine UP as long as possible specially during play!!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanvillRob 200 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I don't even get any action any more.... Actually, I'm pretty heavy handed, but I still like the action relatively low, (for an acoustic). New 'Bird is getting higher and higher.... but I don't want to get it set up 'til it's like 6 months old. It IS getting to sound better and better by the day! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
duane v 512 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 as low as possible without buzzing Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Namvet 50 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 My action tends to stay low, in fact, it's been non-existant for some time now! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dem00n 736 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 Low, medium and high. If i had all my guitars at the same action...well what fun would that be?! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ShredAstaire 623 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I'm not too picky. But I do have a general disdain for fret buzz....so high enough that it doesn't buzz and higher. Sometimes its fun to fight the guitar. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
neilpanda 120 Report post Posted September 7, 2011 I set my guits up just a bit lower than standard Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
damian 1,582 Report post Posted September 8, 2011 I enjoy a little buzz while playing........ :unsure: ..... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DanvillRob 200 Report post Posted September 8, 2011 I enjoy a little buzz while playing........ :unsure: ..... So does my wife!! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
sneakerpimp 27 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 as low as possible without buzzing this, BUT i tolerate a tiny bit of buzzing to get even lower. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lammas Day 4 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 you stole my god dam question, GrRrRrRR FEEL MY RATH!!!... like it? no... didn't think so. But yeah, my point, and in general I think people agreed when I posted. Most people think low action is the way to go, but for me, the highest the action can go without making the tips of your fingers bleed is the way forward. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
tazzboy 60 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 Mine's up cause the swap out the Shaw's short legs base plate for the 57 Long legs base plate and the string height had to come up some. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdntac 5 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 A little bit of buzzing --- primarily at the few frets --- doesn't bother me since I'm always playing at high gain and it can't be heard through the amp. The buzz isn't severe enough that it kills sustain whatsoever. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
daveinspain 387 Report post Posted September 10, 2011 Hmmmm, interesting but I'm sure fret buzz will rob you of some sustain.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
cdntac 5 Report post Posted September 11, 2011 I used to worry about buzz quite a bit until I had a touring pro's guitar tech tell this very phrase: If it can't be heard through an amp....it doesn't matter. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
DAS44 92 Report post Posted September 11, 2011 If 1 is literally lying on the frets, and 10 is as high as your guitar will let you put it, I like it at 7.75ish (oh yes accuracy). I don't mind the extra oomph required, I actually like it, worth it for the sustain and lack of buzz. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
