“Gotta have low action, man. Gotta have low action!” This mantra echoes through guitar circles, highlighting a long-standing fascination among guitarists: the quest for lower action. Action, referring to the height of your strings above the frets, has become a point of obsession for many players eager to bring it down.
Perhaps this desire stems from historical guitar designs, where instruments might have been less refined, demanding higher action. Maybe it’s rooted in our early guitar learning experiences, where anything easing the playing process was greatly appreciated. Or, it could simply be the pervasive influence of discussions around low action, leading us to believe we need it too.
But is relentlessly pursuing the lowest possible action truly the optimal approach?
The answer, as is often the case in the nuanced world of guitar playing, is: it depends.
The ideal action is intrinsically linked to your desired outcome as a player. Let’s delve into some crucial considerations to help you determine the best guitar action for your needs.
Tone Considerations with Low Action
Lowering your guitar’s action can subtly influence its sound. Generally, an extremely low action may result in a slightly less resonant and ‘full’ tone, potentially sacrificing a degree of natural sustain. This tonal shift might be negligible or even desirable for guitarists who frequently employ high-gain settings where subtle nuances can be masked. However, for players who prioritize clean tones and rely on the natural richness of their instrument, this slight reduction in sonic depth could be a noticeable trade-off.
Consider your primary playing style and genre. If you lean towards genres where a thick, sustained tone is paramount, experimenting with slightly higher action might reveal a fuller sound. Conversely, if your style is characterized by heavily distorted tones, the tonal nuances affected by action might be less critical to your overall sound.
Playability and Action Preferences
Playability is undeniably intertwined with action, but the ideal playability is subjective and varies greatly among guitarists. For players specializing in fast-paced genres like metal or shred, a fret-hugging action is often considered paramount. This setup facilitates rapid, effortless playing and intricate legato techniques. However, a significant contingent of players actually prefers a more substantial, ‘positive’ feel under their fingers, finding that a slightly higher action provides better control and tactile feedback.
Furthermore, techniques like string bending can be impacted by action. Some players find that extremely low action hinders their ability to get their fingers adequately under the strings for deep, expressive bends. The perceived ‘fight’ from the strings with slightly higher action can actually be preferred for certain playing styles, offering a different kind of tactile engagement with the instrument. Experiment with different action heights to discern what feels most comfortable and conducive to your playing style.
Guitar Type and Action Limitations
The specific guitar you play also plays a crucial role in determining achievable and desirable action. For instance, attempting to achieve an extremely low action on a vintage Fender Stratocaster, particularly those with a 7.25″ fingerboard radius, can introduce challenges when bending strings. The more pronounced curvature of these vintage radii means that bent strings can more easily collide with higher frets, causing notes to ‘choke’ or die out prematurely. This is a key reason why many modern guitars designed for high-speed playing, like Ibanez models, often feature flatter fingerboard radii (e.g., 16″) that accommodate lower action and string bending more effectively.
It’s important to acknowledge the inherent characteristics of your guitar. Classic designs like vintage Strats, while not necessarily optimized for ultra-low action, are renowned for their iconic tones and responsiveness. Players like SRV, Clapton, and Hendrix achieved legendary sounds on these instruments without resorting to super-slinky action. The slightly higher action, in some cases, becomes part of the instrument’s character and contributes to its unique sonic profile. Consider whether striving for the absolute lowest action aligns with the inherent design and tonal strengths of your guitar.
Fret Buzz: A Necessary Evil or a Deal-Breaker?
Fret buzz, the undesirable rattling sound of strings vibrating against frets, becomes a more prominent consideration as action is lowered. With less vertical space for string vibration, the likelihood of fret buzz increases. While excessive fret buzz is generally undesirable, a minor degree of buzz can sometimes be an acceptable trade-off for exceptionally low action, particularly in specific playing contexts.
For guitarists who frequently employ high-gain amplification and techniques like sweep-picking, a slight amount of fret buzz might be sonically masked by the amplified signal and aggressive playing style. In such scenarios, the benefits of low action for speed and fluidity may outweigh the minor sonic imperfection of barely audible fret buzz. However, for players who favor clean tones or record frequently, fret buzz can be more problematic and require more careful action adjustments.
The key is to evaluate fret buzz critically. If it’s audible through your amplifier or interferes with your recording, it needs to be addressed. However, if the buzz is minimal and inaudible in your typical playing environment, it might be an acceptable compromise to achieve your desired low action. Don’t become overly fixated on eliminating every trace of fret buzz if it means sacrificing playability or tone preferences.
The Role of Frets in Low Action Setup
The condition of your frets is paramount when aiming for low action. If your frets are uneven, worn, or improperly leveled, achieving low action without significant fret buzz becomes exceedingly difficult, if not impossible. Uneven frets create inconsistencies in string height along the fretboard, leading to buzzing even with relatively high overall action. In such cases, attempting to lower the action only exacerbates the problem, making fret buzz more intrusive and widespread.
Before pursuing extremely low action, ensure your frets are in good condition. A professional fret leveling, dressing, or even refretting might be necessary to create a smooth, consistent fret surface that allows for low action without excessive buzz. Investing in fretwork is often a prerequisite for achieving truly optimized low action and overall playability.
Finding Your Ideal Guitar Action: The Bottom Line
Modern guitars are generally well-equipped to handle reasonably low action setups straight from the factory. While some guitars may benefit from professional setup adjustments or fretwork to achieve their absolute best action, the baseline quality of contemporary instruments makes low action attainable for most players.
However, achieving the lowest possible action isn’t necessarily the optimal goal for every guitarist. The ‘right’ action is deeply personal and depends on a confluence of factors: your playing style, preferred tone, guitar type, and tolerance for minor fret buzz.
Experimentation is crucial. Play a variety of guitars with different action heights. Observe how they feel and sound. Research the action preferences of your guitar idols – you might be surprised to find it’s not as extremely low as you imagined.
Ultimately, the mantra “suit the setup to the player” should guide your action choices. Consider the contrasting preferences of guitar legends: Tony Iommi, known for his detuned, super-slinky action, versus Joe Bonamassa, who prefers guitars with more resistance. Both players achieve incredible tones, demonstrating that there’s no single “correct” action.
Think critically about your action. Experiment, listen, and find the setup that best serves your playing and musical vision.
