Just bought my first electric guitar and of course I bought a Strat.
I noticed the string height is a hair over 5/64 (2mm) on the 17th fret for all strings. On the stetup instructions it recommends 4/64. If feels good to me at 5/64 but I am used to accoustic guitars anyways.
Is there any reason I should change the string height to the Fender specs?

Just do whatever is comfortable to you. The reccomended specs are just a good starting point for figuring out what you like

Congratulations on making an excellent choice for a first guitar. Please, do tell; what model, color, hardware, pups, etc.... we are junkies of the gear. And by all means, show us some picutres

Edit to add: Agree with above, however as you play more, you may want the action a little lower.

Peace,
84

Thanks. It's a white USA strat. will try sending pics later.

So I tried lowering the action down to specs but I noticed the high E would choke out on full bends at the 10th fret so I put it back how it was. I find it easier to bend with 5/64" at the 17th fret as well because the strings don't slip under my fingers.
Anyone else have there action set over 5/64 (2mm) at 17th fret or is that considered really high action?

I have my action set higher than that at the 12th fret on three of my guitars. Their guitars I tend to strum hard on. Or where I switch between slide and fingers.

Honestly if your comfortable the way it was, keep it that way. The guitar has to suit you, not everyone else.

_________________
No no and no

Congratulations on your first electric. Being a long time acoustic player prior to converting to electric I can understand your curiosity. Electric guitars require more user adjustments in general than acoustics. Neck relief was my primary concern with acoustics. That's probably the first consideration in an electric setup for me as well. You should check that gap per the setup instructions. I forget where I purchased my feeler guages, but they're cheap. If you're having a buzzing fret, that'd be the first step I'd check, the neck relief. You should be able to get your action down further than Fender spec if you wish with a neck adjustment.

If it's still buzzes, it could be a high fret. Not common, but not unusual. I had a high fret and hammered it down with a plastic hammer. It just wasn't seated well enough.

The Stratocaster is my favorite electric after going through the fixed bridge phase of Gibson/Epiphones that was sort of a stepping stone from acoustics. The Strat is just so comfortable and allows such a variety of tones that it wins me over. I prefer the single coil sound for my use over humbuckers as well, so there's that consideration.

Congratulations. Show us some pics!

_________________
-Kirk

GUITARS
'12 Sonoran Acoustic - black (dated 10/31/12)
'13 Standard Strat
AMP
Vox ac4c1-bl
PEDALS
Compressor
Big Muff
Vox Stomplab 1G
Carbon Copy Delay

Congrats on the new guitar. Welcome to the Forum. Action height is a personal choice. Factory specs are for reference only. Love to see pics when you can.

RK