Hi all,

Just wondering how some of you like the action set on your strats (low/high)?

Only, I am considering experimenting with my 1999 USA Standard a little to try it with a bit lower action than the standard Fender recommended height at which it is currently set.

I was just interested if anyone could give me any pro's or con's of lowering the action below the recommended settings other than the obvious string buzz if I were to take it down excessively low?

I wondered if doing this might have a big affect on the guitars tone or something like that? If so, what is the lowest you would suggest I take it?

One other point, will any of this be affected by the fact that I have my back plate removed to improve my tone?

Thanks guys, any advice would be appreciated!

Russ

Russ,

I've always set my Strat lower than factory specs. I must emphasize though, my action is lower not only due to the way I set the saddles and the block, but I also keep the neck straighter than factory specs which of itself, will facilitate a lower action. FYI: I've always used a .009 through .042 string set run.

I definitely think a lower action affects the guitar's tone in the sense that a touch of twang is exchanged for a touch of grit. I do keep the pickups higher than factory specs as well.

As to how low in general one can get away with lowering the action is directly dependent on the individual Strat. Remember too, there are SO many variations nowadays as well. Believe me, you'll know when you've gone to far, even with just one string!

I already apologized to you for my backplate related wisecracks so I'm just going to say this: Removing the backplate MAY allow the guitar to project acoustically a tiny bit more through this now, "sound hole" in the back of the guitar. On the other hand however, keeping this "sound hole" closed up may facilitate a tiny bit more internal resonance for the pickups to latch onto. Either way, I doubt very strongly there is any genuine, tangible, audible difference and the only way to conclusively verify one way or the other would be upon the readings from what the appropriate electrical meters have to report.

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You dig?

I have always tweaked mine beyond specs too. I use 9's or 10's on my Strats. I adjust my necks straighter, my action lower and my pickups lower than specs.
I don't recall any tonal differences, but I love the change in playability.

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Chet Feathers

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

u might start to have prob playing on the higher frets. the string might touch the other frets and thus causing a change in the note...

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04' CustomShop 65' Strat Relic
05' 70s Strat CIJ
03' Gibson J-45
03' Ovation Celebrity CSE24

Thanks for the info Martian, I think I'll give it a try at the weekend and lower it a touch. I can always alter it back if I don't like it!

Don't worry about the backplate 'wisecracks' either, I probably asked for it!

The thing was, I was expecting there to be no change in sound, what so ever in removing this thing, I mean, how could there be? It's only a thin piece of plastic after all! But, to my surprise, when I took it off and tried it, there actually was some sort of change in the guitars unplugged sound, slightly louder almost! I couldn't really believe it and so set about writing 'the' backplate post to tell others what I had found. I didn't really realise it would stir up so many replies and controvicy!

Any how, not to worry, I didn't take any of it to heart, as I said, I probably asked for it!

Russ

I for keep my one guitars action slightly higher than fender spec. I use a pick on that guitar and tend to get a little heavy handed at times. A guitar I use my fingers on I keep lower than fender spec. The harder you hit the strings the more clearance you need from the frets. The fender spec's are very generic, but not at all bad in my book. I tend to weigh the neck bow up to the particuar guitar. My 95mim f'rinstance can have the neck set to .005ish way straighter than factory spec and High E set to a smidgen over 1mm at the 12th fret the top of the string just touches the 1.5mm mark. Its been played to death though.

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No no and no

Russ,

I used to have my '98 American Std. set with a relatively high aciton compared to Fenders specs but then had my '08 American Deluxe lower. Since my quarterly setups I have decided to keep my '98 high and set the '08 Dlx higher than specified. I also use a set of DR 11-50's on my '98 as well as a flush trem and D'Addario 10-46's on my '08 Amer Deluxe with a floating trem.

Just my opinion, but I believe that the higher action allows you to really dig into the strings when needed for that extra umphh! if playing through a nice valve amp. The higher action will allow you to avoid the nasty string buzz.

I don't really play any shred type music so high action and slow, pour everything into every note type of playing is my style.

Also the back plate issue can only be solved by your own ears. If you think it sounds better without, don't put it back on. If you think it sounds better on then replace it. Mr. Eric Johnson believes it sounds better without it and also that a certain brand of batteries sound best in pedals. Now in no way am I dismissing EJ's advise. Dude is a phenomenon. But if your ears are that good than more power to you.

My name is also Russ. Nice to meet a fellow awesomely named person.

Russ

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'08 Amer. Dlx. Strat, '98 Amer. Std. Strat, '10 Squire CV Tele Custom, '96 Seagull S+6 Cedar
Deluxe Reverb RI, Tweed Blues Jr., Champion 110, Champion 600, Mustang I, Line 6 Vetta

At some point we end up getting a few guitars, not just to have a collection going but to be able to switch from one need to another just by plugging in a different guitar.

I like my strings set to the recommended height on my Highway 1. But I have that tuning flatted for Hendrix style tunes and to play along easily with brass. So this gives my guitar a lot more twang as well as headroom for my voice. The pups on this guitar have a lot of crunch... so much so that I don't even need a distortion pedal! I am enjoying good luck with Fender Bullet .009s. They have excellent sustain for such thin gauge and I am convinced that the bullet end mating well with the holes in the spring block.

I also Have an American Deluxe with noiseless single coil pickups and 10 different pickup combination with of the S1 switch. Because of this large tonal pallet I have the strings a little lower for faster runs but I use .011s (Ernie Ball Limes) for richer tone. I had to crank up the neck tension and tremolo spring tension quite a bit after switching to .011 strings from the factory setup with .009s. I am also taking almost full advantage of the necks Micro-tilt feature which you might not have. That is one cool feature!

Cheers!

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix