LP Action question

[abracadaben]

Guys, quick question. What should the action measure for the 6th string?
see attached pic. It feels to me that the 6th string is a little higher than it should be. Not that it really bothers me right now. I guess Ill see over time.
just wanted your thoughts.
thx

 

[splatter]

I don't really think there is a definate answer for this question . The action should be adjusted where you like it. If it seems that the 6th string is not in line with rest then maybe you need to lower the TOM on the low E side.
I usually put them as low as they will go with no buzz.

 

[budg]

Hes right.It depends on the player.I like my low E string to be 3/64 from the fretboard for my style of playing.I tried 1/32nd and it was too low for me. I would try adjusting the action until it feels right. I also measure it . That way if I need to take it to a luthier I can tell him where I like it.

 

[The Archer]

I set both sides to 1.5 mm from the bottom of the string to the top of the 12th fret

 

[GibsonMarshallGuy]

The others are right IMO, but here's the factory specs... I didn't write this, btw... I got from some other website.

To check neck relief: fret the low E at the first and 15th fret (not 12th) reach to the 7th fret and tap string. There should be a small space between string and fret - no thicker than a piece of paper. Do the same with the high E.
ACTION: fret low E at first fret and measure the distance from the bottom of the to the top of the 15th fret. It should be 5/64". Do the same with the high E, measurement should be 3/64". Now measure the string height at the nut; underside of the string to the top of the fret. Low E and A should measure 2/64", D and G =1.5/64" and B and high E = 1/64". If string height at nut is correct, recheck string height at 12th fret with strings open. Measurement for low and high E's should be the same as measurement taken at the 15th.

 

[gem12]

No measuring......it's what feels right to your liking w/out buzzing.

 

[burke]

+1 on the feel.
There is always a general set spec, but they always seemed way to high for me. If you don't feel comfortable setting it up yourself take it to a good tech or preferably a Luthier. Let them know exactly how you would like it to play. A good one will let you know pretty quick if that is achievable with the instrument, or recommend what will need to be done ( i.e. fret dress, neck set) to achieve it.
Even $3000+ guitar sometimes need a bit of fret work done but it is always worth it.

 

[abracadaben]

alright,
thanks. I guess I will experiment different setups and see what feels right for me. but first Ill do some reading on adjusting the action (bridge and stop bar setup).
since its a compound radius, is there any advice regarding the shape of the hight. I mean should it be flat? or following the 16' shape or the 10' shape?

 

[The Archer]

alright,
thanks. I guess I will experiment different setups and see what feels right for me. but first Ill do some reading on adjusting the action (bridge and stop bar setup).
since its a compound radius, is there any advice regarding the shape of the hight. I mean should it be flat? or following the 16' shape or the 10' shape?

Rule of thumb is to set your action around the 12th - 15th fret

 

[LKB3rd]

Get a machinist ruler with 64ths, and a good start for average-lowish action would be 5/64 at the 12th fret on the low e, and 4/64 at the high e. That's measured from the bottom of the string to the top of the 12th fret, string open. Adjust the truss rod first and get the neck pretty straight, with only a tiny space using the string straightedge method (hold string at first fret, and where it joins the body, and tap it in the center. It should move, but barely).
If you can get it to 4/64 and 3/64 low e to high e, you'd be getting into low action range. Obviously the lower you get, the more buzzing you will have striking the strings hard, and some guitars won't go as low as others due to slight variations in the fret height. So it's a matter of taste, and how much buzzing bothers you.

 

[budg]

I always encourage people to have it set up (or set it up yourself) after you get a guitar. I have only had 1 guitar that had a good (to me ) setup out of the box.When I started playing Gibsons a year and a half ago the luthier set it up for me but it was just a click too low.Played with it until I found the spot I liked.Didnt have to tweek it much. Now I set my 2 strats about the same too.Learned how to do my own in the process. Alot of info on this site and others .

 

[abracadaben]

thanks for all the valuable info.
from the pic, do you think that appears high?

 

[chrisuk]

thanks for all the valuable info.
from the pic, do you think that appears high?

If I had to guess I would say that is about factory spec.

I prefer my bass strings a little lower than factory spec - the book by Dan Erlewine is very good - I replicated his PRS setup.

 

[tazzboy]

Measure more from the 12 Fret.

 

[LKB3rd]

It looks slightly high to me, but we're talking about 64ths of an inch, so its hard to know for sure from a picture without measuring it or feeling it.

 

[Longhair]

+1 on the feel.
There is always a general set spec, but they always seemed way to high for me. If you don't feel comfortable setting it up yourself take it to a good tech or preferably a Luthier. Let them know exactly how you would like it to play. A good one will let you know pretty quick if that is achievable with the instrument, or recommend what will need to be done ( i.e. fret dress, neck set) to achieve it.
Even $3000+ guitar sometimes need a bit of fret work done but it is always worth it.

For $3000, the thing shouldn't need any work done to it.

 

[The Archer]

Except for Andersons and Suhrs I have never picked up a guitar that couldnt use a little fret loving.

 

[splatter]

if ou really want to get precise you can get a string action gauge from stewart macdonald for $18.95 . I bought one years ago and its really helpful

Search results for “string gauge tool” at Stewart-MacDonald

 

[bmb89]

Don't worry just fedex it to me and ill take care of it...it might just take me a few decades

 

[River]

For $3000, the thing shouldn't need any work done to it.

Yeah, 'cause they have you come into the factory and set the action to your personal preferences. The $3,000 even includes air fare to Nashville, round trip.

It looks high to me, but I never measure that stuff unless someone wants to know how I set my action. Even then, I just use a nickel.