Are there any benefits to a high action?

[Elliot]

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?

[Twinfan]

A bit of both I would say.  Also, if you didn't adjust your pickup height that will affect the sustain and tone too...

[indysmith]

another benefit is that high action's good for slide; should give that a go if you havent already...

[HTH AMPS]

I like a high(ish) action - most people find my guitars unplayable.  The 11s gauge strings don't help either  :lol:

 :twisted:

[indysmith]

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?

[screamingdaisy]

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.

[FELINEGUITARS]

One other advantage is that none of your mates want to play your guitar

(kidding)

[Afghan Dave]

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)

[Ratrod]

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.

[Muso]

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.

[Elliot]

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.

[Deadstar]

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.

[Ratrod]

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.

[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

[38thBeatle]

If you really want your mates to stop playing your guitar you could remove the strings after each time you play it.