Can't all guitars have the same action?

[rodmbds]

Hi all! Question about action here. I have my nylon string setup at 4mm and 3,5mm, 12th fret, bass and treble sides respectively. Played a friend's guitar, same measurements and he uses the same strings as I do - the thing buzzes if played a little harder.

I couldn't find any significant differences in nut height or neck angle between our guitars.

He mentioned that the guitar "can't take" low action and that he had another with was 3,5mm and 3mm (bass and treble) which didn't buzz.

Question is, even with same height at the 12th fret, which factors can determine one guitar to buzz and the other not?

[brianli408]

Addressing to your question, fret heights do cause the buzzing, it is impossible for each guitar has uniform height of fret. Therefore it is one of the factor.

Another factor causing buzzing is the nut. Once I had a poorly cut not slot on 1st string, the buzz sound is not from hitting of the frets, but rocking motion at the nut slot causing the sound.

Again another factor is wires. if the pickup wires are not managed properly, when playing a note, the wires would collide with the guitar body and causing
wood buzz sound, not metallic ones

As you see, there are millions factors affect the guitars behaviour, it is impossible to have every guitar a same action, but every guitar with the action they would be comfortable with.

[B. Howard]

Things besides saddle height that affect possible set up height.

Neck relief or lack of.
Height of nut slots
Magnetic pull of pickups
condition of frets/fret wear
proper radius at saddles
String guage
And last but not least on the list.... Player habits/style

[fazool]

String tension is a significant factor as well

[Rodger Knox]

Originally Posted by rodmbds

Hi all! Question about action here. I have my nylon string setup at 4mm and 3,5mm, 12th fret, bass and treble sides respectively. Played a friend's guitar, same measurements and he uses the same strings as I do - the thing buzzes if played a little harder.

I couldn't find any significant differences in nut height or neck angle between our guitars.

He mentioned that the guitar "can't take" low action and that he had another with was 3,5mm and 3mm (bass and treble) which didn't buzz.

Question is, even with same height at the 12th fret, which factors can determine one guitar to buzz and the other not?

It's the quality of the fretwork. Better fretwork can take lower action without buzzing.

[rodmbds]

Originally Posted by Rodger Knox

It's the quality of the fretwork. Better fretwork can take lower action without buzzing.

Great, thanks everyone. What would be a quality fretwork that can take lower action? Would that be the material used, or dressing...?

[B. Howard]

Originally Posted by rodmbds

Great, thanks everyone. What would be a quality fretwork that can take lower action? Would that be the material used, or dressing...?

It's mostly in the level, crown & polish work. Here I show how I do my fretwork https://howardguitars.blogspot.com/2...tter-than.html

[BT55]

Originally Posted by B. Howard

It's mostly in the level, crown & polish work. Here I show how I do my fretwork https://howardguitars.blogspot.com/2...tter-than.html

Excellent Tutorial. Every aspect of the job is well documented and explained. Thank You!

[nickv6]

Originally Posted by B. Howard

It's mostly in the level, crown & polish work. Here I show how I do my fretwork https://howardguitars.blogspot.com/2...tter-than.html

Very nice post , thanks for taking so much trouble.
Nick

[Henning]

Yes sure, if you can make each guitar of the exact same materials in flawless exactly the same manner. Am I too skeptical?