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  #1  
Old 10-07-2010, 05:51 PM
grybrd1 grybrd1 is offline
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Default Action Height

I often see guitars with action heights of 4/32" to 6/32" (12th fret top of fret to bottom on low E) being sold/described as "with low action height". To me this is too high to way too high. Am I uninformed or missing something?
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Old 10-07-2010, 05:59 PM
Jeff M Jeff M is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grybrd1 View Post
I often see guitars with action heights of 4/32" to 6/32" (12th fret top of fret to bottom on low E) being sold/described as "with low action height". To me this is too high to way too high. Am I uninformed or missing something?
I'd consider that high.

You sure those measurements you are seeing are in 32" and not 64"??

Link to Brian Kimsey's site, and his discussion on guitar actions.
Brain is a highly respected tech/set up "pro".;

http://www.bryankimsey.com/setup/actions.htm

The highest action he discusses is for a rhythm player.... 0.115" at the low E string. (7.36/64"= 3.68/32")
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Old 10-07-2010, 06:02 PM
Brackett Instruments Brackett Instruments is offline
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I suspect the person or persons describing the action have their fractions messed up. 4/64 to 6/64 would be more realistic, instead of 4 to 6 32nds. I prefer decimal measurements, but that's just me. ie, .062" to .093".
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Old 10-07-2010, 06:03 PM
Shabby Chic Shabby Chic is offline
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Yep, I consider anything 1/8" or more on the low E high, and 7/64ths high on the high e.
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Old 10-07-2010, 06:56 PM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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I am getting used to 4/64 now and I will never go back.
Steve
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Old 10-08-2010, 10:01 AM
grybrd1 grybrd1 is offline
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I expected some replys to question the units, which is the first thing I do. I also wondered if slide and bluegrass players prefer action heights between 4 and 6 32th's of an inch.
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Old 10-08-2010, 10:02 AM
bozz_2006 bozz_2006 is offline
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Originally Posted by Doubleneck View Post
I am getting used to 4/64 now and I will never go back.
Steve
I don't imagine I'll ever be able to set mine that low. With all the heavy strumming I do, anything below 6/64 is Buzz City.

Edit: If they're advertising those numbers and describing it as low action, I assume they didn't pay enough attention in school they day they learned about fractions.
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Old 10-08-2010, 10:33 AM
Doubleneck Doubleneck is offline
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I think it depends on the guitar at 4/64, I am strumming pretty hard in the praise band with no buzzing. In fact I am trying to see if I can induce some buzzing but to no avail. It makes it a breeze to play up the neck. I got a new guitar for a week on trial that was at 6/64, it seemed like a chore to play. I find the lower action opens up more possibilities than it closes down.
Steve
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Old 10-08-2010, 02:11 PM
murrmac123 murrmac123 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by woody b View Post
I prefer decimal measurements, but that's just me. ie, .062" to .093".
Amen to that.

Would that we could ditch all the 32nds and 64ths and 128ths and 256ths and express everything as decimal fractions of an inch, like proper machinists do.
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Old 10-08-2010, 02:25 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by grybrd1 View Post
I often see guitars with action heights of 4/32" to 6/32" (12th fret top of fret to bottom on low E) being sold/described as "with low action height". To me this is too high to way too high. Am I uninformed or missing something?

I always ask for a "three-two": 3/32 and 2/32, low and high E respectively, at the 12th fret. Throw a bit of relief in the neck and it's off to the races.

FWIW, this is Gryphon Strings' standard setup.
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Old 10-08-2010, 02:26 PM
gitreader gitreader is offline
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I see both confusion between 64ths and 32nds (etc.) on the one hand and people who have a very loose conception of "low action" on the other hand.

As for the latter, I recall asking an eBay seller about the action on an acoustic and referencing the 2/32" first string and 3/32" sixth string action that is often used as a standard for low action (on acoustic guitars) and is the Taylor action spec. This guy was astounded at the idea and reacted the way I would if someone told me that normal low action was 1/64" on the low E.

Some people (including very intelligent and educated people who have played guitar as a hobby for years) have no idea you can change the action in the first place and thus may get used to the high factory-set action on some guitars as being normal.

And what seems like annoyingly high action to someone who spends a lot of time in the upper regions of the neck may not be perceptible to someone who stays in the first position (especially if the nut action is set correctly).
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Old 10-08-2010, 02:41 PM
geordie geordie is offline
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hey grybrd,
don't get caught up in that stuff, different guitar necks / playing styles / string gauge require that your guitar is setup for your needs.
Some "Pro" players like a slick (low) action - some players like a bit higher action - so the can play with more dynamics and not have the strings flapping an' slapping of the fretboard (I do).
It's what "feels right" and works" for you.
Geordie
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