Our local guitar shop has a new fender custom shop stratocaster,
we noticed the high frets and high action . . .
the assistant said "that is how most professional like them . . . "

I thought it was low action , like clapton, page et al . . . .

my question is : Is higher action what the pros use ?

I have always set up my guitars with low action.

I must say it was not easy to play . . .
so am I hoping it get easier with time . . .
as is sounded great . . . .

cheers mick

I don't like low action. I like to be able to get a good grip on a heavy string for big bends. To do this, I keep the action higher than recommended.

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The answer you were given is a perfect example of why people dont trust salespeople, and this is coming from a salesman since 1997. He just made up what sounded good instead of giving you the correct answer which is; 1)Im not sure 2) We havent gotten to setting it up. What a crock of #%*@. Im sure some pro's do like it that way, but I highly doubt "most" do, and even if they do, was does that have to do with the price of tea in China?? Most people walking into a shop probably wont have their action set high, because you're right, its not as easy to play as low action. I have my action set kind of high, but not because its easy to play, its because i have a 7 1/4" radius fretboard, and I'll fret out when I bend. Believe me, if I could do the bends with a lower action, I would.

Your sales guy is a knob. Although it is true that many experienced guitar players like a high action, it's equally true that many more do not. Do not ever pay money for a guitar that hasn't been set up. A poor setup on the sales floor can easily conceal some serious problems that may necessitate repairs as serious as a neck replacement. Even if it's a brand-new instrument, always insist that they set it up for you, or at least close to what you like. Risking finding a snapped truss rod is not worth it, friend.

many thanx ladz,

often is the case when I question if they truly
know what the hell they are on about . . .
and more often than not it seems they don't.

I agree everyone is different but plenty
of player like me prefer it low without the buzz
and slinkly without the fuzz . . .


cheers mick

I like to use 9's or 10's and like my action as low as it can go without buzzing.

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

Did he happen to say how his was setup?
I have never relied on factory specs let alone any other player's setup regardless of how good they may be. Guitar setup is a very personal thing and won't make me play any better if mine is setup just like (fill in the blank). I know how I want my guitars to play and set them up accordingly. That's also why I tie my own shoes. I think you get the point.

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2004 American Deluxe V-Neck Strat w/Kinman Blues
2007 American Deluxe Tele w/Kinman Broadcasters
Mesa Boogie Lonestar Classic 2X12
Fender Cyber-Twin SE

What Chet said, but with .011s

And the salesman of great experience nailed this writer's feelings.

Get what YOU want hou you want. And maybe another store is in order.

mz9,This one is easy to answer the answer is what style pro you talking about.Most of your speed technique players will like there action as low as possible guys like VAI.SATCH ,VANHALEN as a matter of fact if you see Eddie talking about the new Wolfgang he says as I have seen him say 100 times he like his guitars as easy to play as possible I HATE FIGHTING THE THING.Thats because the style they play tapping,sweeping and legato especialy legato playing you have to have your action as low as possible to pull off smooth runs.On the other hand a lot of blus /classic rock players tend to favor a more medium or in some cases high action as you tend to really dig into a string better when bending without slipping.So bottom line what style do you favor and what feels good to you is the right height and dont worry so much what the famous do or else most of us would pick like Vanhalen with thumb and middle finger.That works for him and not me.

+1000000