Hi Guys,

I have an american HSS Strat and was just wondering about action, i know its preference...but is it ok to have 6/64ths on the bass side and 4/64ths on the treble side? Fender say the Humbucker should be 4/64th either side...so would the above be ok?

Also when thy say bass side do they mean E.A.D Stings or just the E,A?

Sorry if that sounds thick...ta!

Hi fenderibo: far as action is concerned, you are allowed to do whatever you like. In particular, setting it higher than spec generally presents no problems at all - difficulities such as fret buzz come in when you take it down a lot lower than spec.

Far as treble and bass are concerned: well, there's different approaches. Some people set the bottom (bass) E string to its height and the top e to its (often lower) height. They then adjust the in between ones to gradually move from one height to the other. Step by step.

A slightly different approach is used by Taylor on their acoustics. If the fingerboard has a 16 inch radius (say) then the strings will be set up to follow a 14 inch radius. This will give more air beneath the middle strings than the top ones. In addition, the arc the string radius follows will be tilted towards the treble side. The end result will look something like this:



Most of us probably end up with something pretty much like that, albeit by a less scientific route...

Cheers - C

Very interesting reply Ceri, thanks for that. So it would be adjustment by eye that way?

Some people use a small ruler calibrated in 64ths of an inch or half mils.

I find automotive feeler gauges much more accurate - you can easily get a set online calibrated in both imperial and metric for very little money.

And for the Taylor method you'd need a radius gauge too. I'd read that bit of my post more for information than rigid procedure, though...

Either way you measure from the top of the fret to the underside of each string at the 17th fret.

Good luck - C

OK thanks Ceri...just out of interest how do you have yours set? and which increment (measuremnet) of feeler gauge would you use?

Hi again: well, I'm boring Mr Average. I find Fender's recommended specs suit me pretty well. If I'm taking the action a touch lower then I start with the Fender numbers and then gradually lower them string by string till each one starts buzzing with my normal playing style, then I raise it again a quarter turn or so on the saddle screws - and Bob's your uncle.

So in the end it's not very scientific: I just feel my way towards a comfortable buzz free action on each string. It kinda ends up looking pretty close to that diagram above, though.

Remember, you'll need to reset you intonation after setting action. It's amazing how much small height adjusments can change the tuning.

Cheers man - C

Thanks Ceri, do you then adjust the pickups to fender spec? or is that preference too?

Haha - why don't you just bring your guitar round and we'll work our way through it all?

Anyhow. Pickups are a whole different issue. By all means start with Fender's specs - and then follow the Chet Feathers guide. Closer to the strings gives more output, further away gives more sustain.

I prefer the second - but I have entirely different pickups on different guitars, so there's no rules. You're also trying to balance the outputs of the pickups one against another, which complicates things further.

Your ears have to be the guide on this one...

Good luck - C

Once again...... Ceri you are the man with the plan! Thanks Ceri you are a great resource for me I appreciate it...............

_________________
Your Fender HSS Standard Stratocaster in Electron Blue was made at the Fender Ensenada Plant in Mexico in the Year: 2008.
Final Assembly Date: July 30th, 2008
Model Number: 013 4700 587
Serial # MZ8031252

Thanks Ceri! If you have beer in the fridge im there!! Heheh! Thanks very much for all your kind help man!

Guys, you are very welcome!

It seemed to turn into the Ceri-guide-to-setup thread, didn't it? Didn't mean it to: lot of other people here with excellent things to say about this stuff...

Still: I enjoyed drawing the diagram.

So long - C

For the average player I recommend checking out my thread on pickup adjustment called "Nickel Method".

I have found that for my particular taste I like my pickups set low, even/almost even with the pickguard.

As Ceri mentioned the closer the pickup is to the strings the output/volume is higher and you will get more distortion. The farther away from the strings you will get more sustain. And in my opinion a sweeter more balanced tone.

_________________
Chet Feathers

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