• From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Topic: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

I've been playing this certain sunburst american series stratocaster for 8 years only had it professionally set up once.  The thing is a beast to play so I decided to set it up myself.  First thing I did was unstraighten the neck I let the neck bend forward slightly which gave me a little more slinkyness to it on bends.  Next I checked the hight at the bridge.  I have the bridge fixed to the body so no float here.  My book says 4/64 at the 17th fret but my ruler only has 32nds on it so I'm just geussing a bit.  I have it just under 3/32 and still have no major string buzz going on.  I'm trying to make bends easier on me so I can get the Clapton style bend with a vibrato on it.  Do you think going lowwer would make the string more slinky?  Its has so far.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

I guess you could lower it till you get buzz... are you using 9's? the smaller the string, the lower the action you'll be able to get away with. I have 10's on my Gibson Explorer, and I think thats the lowest action I've ever played on a guitar. New frets & straight neck allows for it I think. I dont have measurements though. I run 11's on my strat and the action is noticable higher, and I can pick a lot heavier than the strat I have with 9's and a lower action. So I think part of it is your attack too.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

The strings are 10's strung up in standard tuning.  I don't mess too much with tunings other then standard, at the most I'll do a half step but very rarely.  I was always told that the bigger the string the lowwer the natural vibration, which is a figure 8 pattern.  bigger strings have a smaller pattern then smaller strings with lowwer string tention.  I'm not really looking for fast, but I want to bend strings without my fingers and joints in my fingers hurting after I'm done.  I know how I want to play and I do a pretty good job doing what I hear in my head for solos, but after 10 years of playing I'm learning that if I don't start doing some self preservation now I might not be playing lead guitar in another 10 years.  And Yes I do stretch and warm my fingers up before I play.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

I can do bends with one finger on the strat project I just finished. It has 9's on it... feels like I'm playing a toy it's so easy. All my other guitars have 10's except for the other strat that has 11's. I use two fingers to bend on all my guitars except for the guitar with 9's.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • Registered: 2006-05-25
  • Posts: 444

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

I usually go as low as I can without buzz, then raise it slightly to get easier bends. Also different guitars are easier to bend depending on frets, neck straightness, scale etc so I'll keep that in mind. On a guitar that's easy to bend like a LP I'll go low action. Can play on higher action too but too high just doesn't feel comfy enough for me.

  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

Has anyone ever noticed that if you play for a long time without missing a day your playing seems the same to you, but then you take like a night or 2 off and all of a sudden you get all these new bags of tricks?  I've heard joe speak of taking breaks to rest his hands but he plays much more intense then anyone I know, and uses heavier strings then me as well.  I suppose there must be something to breaks, but it just so hard to quite for a night sometimes.

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  • From: Florida, USA
  • Registered: 2008-06-04
  • Posts: 1,420

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

This is very true.  I have read that Jeff Beck feels the same way.  I tend to not play guitar much on the weekends because of work, however when Monday comes around I attack the guitar with a fresh mind and inspiration.  Time off definately fuels creativity if you are caught in a rut!

'67 and '74 Fender Twin Reverbs, '74 Marshall 1987 lead mkII, Metro Superlead 100. Pedals from TC Electronic, Ibanez, Dunlop, BK Butler, Electro-Harmonix, Fulltone, Maestro/Gibson, Loopmaster switching, VoodooLab, Boss. Gibson and Fender guitars, Dimarzio pickups.
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

I've never felt like I'm in a rut but I just noticed after about 10 years of basically non stop playing every day that if I take a night or 2 off I come back stronger and able to do more without thinking or trying to do more.

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: Anyone have an opinion about string hight?

They Taylor I got in March had a higher than optimal action IMO. Had to lower the bridge. It was 8/64 on the low E, and 6/64 on the high.  Now it's at 5/64 and 4/64, respectivly. A $45 "deluxe setup" made a HUGE difference... almost feels like I'm playing an electric. Night and day.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool