Do Taylor guitars sound "plinky" with low action?

[imc2111]

I was reading a blog post by a popular fingerstyle guitarist, Adam Rafferty, in which he mentions that some guitars, like Taylors, tend to sound "plinky" when the action gets too low. On the other hand, he mentions that a brand that tends to have a bad reputation around here, Maton, has guitars that work really well with very low action.

Here's the link to his article. What he mentions about Taylors can be found at the bottom, in the comments section.

http://http://www.adamrafferty.com/2014/09/01/my-personal-fingerstyle-guitar-setup-measurements/

[flaggerphil]

They (the ones I have) don't sound that way to me.

[Judson]

I'm not sure I even know what the term "plinky" means. Sounds like still another vague subjective description for tone that means something to one person and has no real meaning for the next person.

The only thing I'd say about my Taylor and my effort to get the action as low as I could, would be that I have had to give up some ability to dig in with a pick and really strum, but with my reasonably light strumming touch and delicate finger style, the low action works fine and I would not describe it as "plinky" or any other term that would be considered derogatory.

[Long Jon]

I've got a Taylor 312ce which I bought used and slightly abused.

I had the neck re-set by a proper Taylor centre but decided to lower the saddle myself. (Poor decision making is a special talent all it's own).

Anyhooo... Lot of sanding later , I got the action too low and it got pretty plinky, without being Pretty in Plink.

I started again with a custom bone saddle, but I think that it may not have improved the tone. I may just have sanded that a teeny bit too far also, ( doh !)

I am going to try a replacement original Tusq ? Micarta ? whatever, "plastic" ... I'll prolly get the Taylor guy to supply an fit this time.....

Seems my skills for fine work only go down about as small as say, putting a cabinet on a wall !

[fazool]

I play exclusively finger-picked+ and set my action outrageously low.

My Taylors are not in the least bit "plinky"

[Montesdad]

I've had several Taylors, some set with very low action.

None have ever sounded 'plinky'

[JohnCambo]

Any guitar, will have less bass response and sound more tinny or plinky with really low action.

People may not agree with this but its been my experience with both acoustic and electrics.

[Rick Shepherd]

I have not experienced this to be true on three Taylors, a 914, 814, and 414 with lower action. Granted, the action isn't really low, but lower than factory. I notice no difference, in fact, my guitars sound better than most of the new ones I've played. Oh, I do have a BB Taylor with ultra low action, and it sounds great!

[Andromeda]

The ones I have owned sound rich and full.

[SpruceTop]

Get the action low enough and dig in a bit too much and ANY brand of guitar sounds plinky.

I'll take a stab at defining plinky. plinky: strings rattling on frets due to too much arc of excursion when strings are struck beyond a certain energy input.

[j3ffr0]

When the action gets too low all guitars don't sound so good.

[Long Jon]

Originally Posted by SpruceTop

Get the action low enough and dig in a bit too much and ANY brand of guitar sounds plinky.

I'll take a stab at defining plinky. plinky: strings rattling on frets due to too much arc of excursion when strings are struck beyond a certain energy input.

That's pretty much what I'm thinking of, but IMO it's also a lack of high note sustain, on the top E especially.
BUT, I am probably a bit heavy handed and just need the action up a wee bit, (or improve my technique !)

[s2y]

Mine sound just fine. I'm not sure what he means by plinky. I have zero experience with Maton. I'd be interested in anyone's comparison to Taylor in the low action department.

[Hot Vibrato]

All guitars sound plinky with low action. This can be minimized with precise fret work, but it's a fact of life. On any acoustic, the high E needs to be a strong 1/16" (at least .070") at the 12th fret, or higher, or your guitar will plink. Period.

[martingitdave]

Originally Posted by Hot Vibrato

All guitars sound plinky with low action. This can be minimized with precise fret work, but it's a fact of life. On any acoustic, the high E needs to be a strong 1/16" (at least .070") at the 12th fret, or higher, or your guitar will plink. Period.

+1. This is 100% correct. I find that 3/32 and 2/32 at the 12th fret is about as low as you can go, expecting "full" volume. You can go lower and not buzz. But, you'll be compromising tone. Heavy handed players need more clearance.

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