I have been playing another guitar exclusively for six months, and am now switching back to the Stratocaster. The action seems very high compared to the other guitar, which I like better.

I looked up the Fender specs for action (9.5" radius = 1/16" = 4/64" at 17th fret), and found that my guitar meets that specification.

Have you tried lowering the action from the spec? Are there any pitfalls that I should be aware of before tampering with the action?

The strings are close to the first fret, but they get successively farther away from the fretboard closer to the bridge. Is this normal? Or might there be a truss rod issue?

Thanks in advance for any help you can give me.

Hi RudyH: I'd strongly suggest you pick up a copy of the Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine. It'll be the best few bucks you ever spend on your guitar, and Dan can explain this stuff better than we really have space for here.

Still. Deep breath: detailed post coming up.

Your neck relief should be adjusted such that the distance between the strings and frets doesn't vary too radically along the length of the fingerboard - allowing for the arc of vibrating strings. That's done with the trussrod.

It is also possible that the angle at which the neck addresses the body is affecting this issue, and that can be corrected with the microtilt feature if you have a MIA guitar which incorporates it, or otherwise by shimming the neck pocket. But don't worry too much about that: those are fine adjustments and unlikely to be necessary on a well made modern instrument. Don't get hung up on that point.

Essentially, you should follow Fender's setup guide in the order they tell you:

http://www.fender.com/support/stratocaster.php

First get the relief right with the trussrod - and then leave it alone. Next set the action with the saddle heights - and then leave that, too. Finally, reset the intonation at the saddles... and you're done.

A bit more to it than that, but the point is: do each stage till it's right, then move on. Once the relief is set, it's set. Don't be jumping back and forth between the different aspects of the setup.

One more thing. Regarding action and buzzing: try setting it to Fender's specs first. Then, if it feels high to you, gradually lower the saddle on one of the strings a tiny bit at a time. With each adjustment, play the string at every fret with your normal playing style. When you reach the point it starts buzzing just raise it again by a quarter turn on the two screws and leave it.

Repeat for each string. You've now reached the lowest point you can have each string set without them buzzing - with YOUR playing.

It ain't rocket science: it's really very logical and methodical.

The reason some people don't like the action after they had a tech set it for them is because they weren't there when he did it and he wasn't able to match it precisely to their individual playing style. That's why, once you've settled to a certain action, it's good to measure it accurately (with feeler gauges) so that it can then be returned to that setup with or without you present.

Good luck - C

Personally 'like real low action on Strats and have tech set up thusly. No problems.

As Ceri said, there are a bunch of factors there; personally, 'am not able to do the delicate balance act. Sometimes a fret is too high or a fingerboard has a bit of irregularity from swelling or shrinking. Good on those who can do setup big time; accept this picker's vile green envy at your skill.

I am one of those who likes my action as low as I can get it (even on my acoustics) without fret buzz. EACH guitar will be a little different as to how low you can go.

There has been some excellent advice given so far. I too highly recommend Dan Erlewine books.

Remember that whenever you change the action up or down you are changing the length of the string which is also changing the intonation.

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Chet Feathers

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

I am with JSJH on this matter . I just bring my guitars to my friends shop and dont even have to say a word as he knows how I like everything. But I have to tip my hat to a lot of the guys on the forum who are very talented in so many areas it is amazing.