Action of 0.0840" too low?

[joeguam]

So I've read a number of articles on setups and the action height at the 12th fret, and the lowest I've ever heard anyone going is 0.090". Most stay at or above 3/32" or 0.093".

I love the action on my guitar and have no problems with buzzing while playing my style of music. I measured it today out of curiosity and found it to be 0.0840".

Does anyone take theirs down this low?

[Matt_Adamas]

I've got my Adamases down to 4/64" or . 0625" at the 12th fret. I lose some volume but tHen again that's why the guitars have pickups and an amp.

[state-it]

That translates in my book as a gnat's nadgers over 2mm.

That's fine IMO. If you're not buzzing then don't worry.

I work on 2mm as being normal.

I just worry about how you described it as "0.0840" as opposed to "0.084".

I wouldn't be that OCD about it if I was you.

[pandaroo]

I have my Voyage Air set up at 0.068". I love super duper low action. I still dont mind going lower. So long as i still enough break angle at the saddle.

[MBE]

Originally Posted by joeguam

So I've read a number of articles on setups and the action height at the 12th fret, and the lowest I've ever heard anyone going is 0.090". Most stay at or above 3/32" or 0.093".

I love the action on my guitar and have no problems with buzzing while playing my style of music. I measured it today out of curiosity and found it to be 0.0840".

Does anyone take theirs down this low?

Not sure if there's an extra decimal place there by accident or if you're actually measuring to the ten-thousandth of an inch. I do not possess the tools, skills, or inclination to work to that kind of precision. If you're pleased with how the guitar plays and sounds, that's really all that matters, even if it's 6 thousandths (or should I say 60 ten-thousandths?) of an inch lower than some people like.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by joeguam

So I've read a number of articles on setups and the action height at the 12th fret, and the lowest I've ever heard anyone going is 0.090". Most stay at or above 3/32" or 0.093".
...

3/32" is 0.09375" which rounds to 0.094"

[Judson]

Personally, I want my action no higher than .070 on the treble E and .090 on the bass E string at the 12th fret.

I think .084 would be just fine for me.

[joeguam]

Sorry everyone, I'm an engineer by profession, so the extra digit is engrained in my blood. I'm measuring using a digital depth gauge that has a reading to 0.000 precision.
EDIT: 0.0000 precision

The 0.084" is measured on the low E string, but I guess this is just fine as long as there's no buzzing. My other guitar is still at 0.0937" inches and I do notice a huge difference, so I'll be bringing this down a bit more for better comfort.

I'll tell ya, the difference of 0.0097" is huge when it spans over a 3 or 4 hour gig.

[mc1]

Originally Posted by joeguam

Sorry everyone, I'm an engineer by profession, so the extra digit is engrained in my blood. I'm measuring using a digital depth gauge that has a reading to 0.000 precision. ...

the extra digit is puzzling (and potentially misleading). if your digital depth gauge has a precision of 1/1,000 of an inch, why are you reporting in 1/10,000 of an inch?

[Glennwillow]

I have set up most of my guitars at about 0.085" of clearance of the low E string, so to me, that seems about right. I am not a chord pounder, more of a finger picker, but even hitting the strings hard does not result in buzzing for me. So I'd say you are ok.

Thanks, Glenn

[cary]

Totally depends on the style of music, how heavy your picking/strumming hand is, etc.

There is no one-size-fits-all action spec. A low action that works well when I'm playing by myself gets overly buzzy when playing bluegrass with my band .

I have different setups for different guitars.