Bare Knuckle Pickups Forum

Forum Ringside => Tech => Topic started by: Elliot on November 26, 2006, 10:57:40 PM

Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Elliot on November 26, 2006, 10:57:40 PM
I just raised mine because the new strings were rattling too much and I seem to have acquired extra sustain and tone - is this the new strings or the raised action?
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Twinfan on November 26, 2006, 11:03:02 PM
A bit of both I would say.  Also, if you didn't adjust your pickup height that will affect the sustain and tone too...
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: indysmith on November 26, 2006, 11:32:56 PM
another benefit is that high action's good for slide; should give that a go if you havent already...
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: HTH AMPS on November 26, 2006, 11:34:44 PM
I like a high(ish) action - most people find my guitars unplayable.  The 11s gauge strings don't help either  :lol:

 :twisted:
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: indysmith on November 26, 2006, 11:40:38 PM
Quote from: HEAVIER THAN HELL
I like a high(ish) action - most people find my guitars unplayable.  The 11s gauge strings don't help either  :lol:

 :twisted:

haha that sounds like quite a killer. any idea why yu prefer it like that? have you tried it lower or are yu sticking to the "if it aint broke don't fix it" philosophy?
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: screamingdaisy on November 27, 2006, 12:00:41 AM
I don't like low actions.  I find a medium action gives me more sustain, a better clean tone, and my fingers don't slip over the strings when bending.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 27, 2006, 12:58:33 AM
One other advantage is that none of your mates want to play your guitar

(kidding)
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Afghan Dave on November 27, 2006, 08:49:49 AM
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
One other advantage is that none of your mates want to play your guitar

(kidding)


If I want a totally unplayable guitar with a fantastic ultra high action I always trust Jon at Feline to provide the perfect set-up*..   :lol:  :lol:  :?  :?  :lol:

*(This comment is humorous and in no way reflects the reality of my experience with Feline guitars and Jonathan's skills + Jon is a dear friend and physically robust enough to kick my ass)
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Ratrod on November 27, 2006, 10:27:51 AM
Quote from: Afghan Dave
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
One other advantage is that none of your mates want to play your guitar

(kidding)


If I want a totally unplayable guitar with a fantastic ultra high action I always trust Jon at Feline to provide the perfect set-up*..   :lol:  :lol:  :?  :?  :lol:

*(This comment is humorous and in no way reflects the reality of my experience with Feline guitars and Jonathan's skills + Jon is a dear friend and physically robust enough to kick my ass)


Soak your guitar neck in water for a few days and then put on your radiator heater to dry for a couple of days. Dont forget to unscrew the trussrod. That should make it unplayable.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Muso on November 27, 2006, 11:44:28 AM
I have a higher action than my mates have soley for the reason I like to do a lot of fingerpicking and this is a real pain in the ass is the action is too low.

I don't think action affects tone hardly at all, I think the reason for this myth is that lots of shredders play with low action and most shredders have terrible tone so low action gets tarred with a brush.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Elliot on November 27, 2006, 04:08:23 PM
I don't have the problem of my mates wanting to play my guitar for the simple reason that I don't have any mates.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Deadstar on November 27, 2006, 05:35:58 PM
Yeah I'm like Heavier Than Hell aswell - highish setup and 11 gauge strings (Actually thinking about moving up to 12's cos the ones I've got on now are starting to feel a bit slinky, and yes I tune to standard)

 I actually find it nicer to play rather than have the strings flopping about all over the place and its good to dig into, but everyones different so get it done how your like.

It does tend to sound a bit "woodier" if its higher up aswell (which is a good thing) but if the preamp gain is cranked hard enough it probably isn't that noticable. Clean tone is definitely affected though and it certainly shows.

Agree with Twinfan new strings will make a lot of difference aswell.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Ratrod on November 27, 2006, 06:00:25 PM
I prefer medium low action. I like the comfort of it when I'm playing tons of (sometimes complex) chords and riffs. Especially on those long gigs.

Granted, the occasional note has a little string buzz but nobody can hear it in a live situation. In some cases a little bit of that buzz can actually add to the tone.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: FELINEGUITARS on November 27, 2006, 06:58:36 PM
Quote from: Afghan Dave
Quote from: FELINEGUITARS
One other advantage is that none of your mates want to play your guitar

(kidding)


If I want a totally unplayable guitar with a fantastic ultra high action I always trust Jon at Feline to provide the perfect set-up*..   :lol:  :lol:  :?  :?  :lol:

*(This comment is humorous and in no way reflects the reality of my experience with Feline guitars and Jonathan's skills + Jon is a dear friend and physically robust enough to kick my ass)


Physically robust?

That's new way of saying it...... :lol:

Mind you the action on your Peavey V-type (Vandenberg) was a bit fabulous in the end

Tone does change with action height and many blues players cant get the right tone with low action
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: 38thBeatle on November 27, 2006, 07:13:46 PM
If you really want your mates to stop playing your guitar you could remove the strings after each time you play it.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: MDV on November 27, 2006, 07:28:30 PM
You pretty much nailed it. High action gets the guitar resonating more.
Title: Are there any benefits to a high action?
Post by: Kilby on November 27, 2006, 07:30:22 PM
Quote from: 38thBeatle
If you really want your mates to stop playing your guitar you could remove the strings after each time you play it.


Or take up banjo playing.

High / low action my tokai firebird had a deliverately slightly high action with heavier strings for one mood & the SG with a low action and light strings for other moods

rob...