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Post subject: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 1:00 am
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Dear Frineds & Strat Owners,

I would like to ask about your experience regarding action!
My question is - what is the best action for Fender Stratocaster Compaund Radius Neck (9,5 to 14 inch). I am intrested in low action as much as it is possible, but, ofcourse, without buzz or "mute" freets, etc...
Thanks a lot in advance!

Sincerely,

Dragan


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Post subject: Re: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 8:16 am
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gagalook wrote:
Dear Frineds & Strat Owners,

I would like to ask about your experience regarding action!
My question is - what is the best action for Fender Stratocaster Compaund Radius Neck (9,5 to 14 inch). I am intrested in low action as much as it is possible, but, ofcourse, Thanks a lot in advance!
without buzz or "mute" freets, etc...

Sincerely,

Dragan


There is really no right answer here except what's right for you.

There are limits to how Low and High you can set the action - Saddle Height/Neck relief limit and as you mention, 'without buzz or "mute" freets, etc...'.

Considerations should be: Your Skill level, where you play mostly on the neck, what Music you play, etc. (if you're emulating Vai or Malmsteen, a lower action is more important than if you don't).

I think there's a misconception out there that a Low (or the Lowest possible) action is best. That's not necessarily the case.

The only real way to tell is to try different heights until you find the one you like.

Learn to do this yourself, the Web is afloat w/ Primers, Youtubes, etc. showing you how it's done. A set of Radius Gauges, a Straightedge and some Feller Gauges are all you really need and a worthwhile investment, especially if you have multiple guitars.

cheers!

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Post subject: Re: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:19 am
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They do give good starting points in the Strat Setup Guide
Start with checking relief, set it to (max) 010"/0.25 mm.
Continue with the recommended action for 9.5" radius; 4/64" (1.6 mm) and see if your playing (and music) style agrees with it. If you pick hard, you may need a little higher action, or adjust your pick hand. If everything seems hunkydory, try to go a little lower, especially towards the highE side.

I tend to disagree with Lightning a bit; the "best" action IMHO really is the lowest buzz free string height (and a sidenote here: with as little relief as possible). Of course, I agree that there are no absolute measures, so the "best" action ain't the same for different guitars and players.

And, pointing out two obviouses: The guitar needs to be setup in every point when you chase for low action. And the playing style needs to allow that lowness.


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Post subject: Re: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:52 am
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jmattis wrote:
I tend to disagree with Lightning a bit; the "best" action IMHO really is the lowest buzz free string height (and a sidenote here: with as little relief as possible).


That's Cool...

But, consider that this is a compound radius neck.

That means there is a 'Sweet Spot' along the neck for each player.

You need to determine your 'Sweet Spot' and then adjust action to get the greatest advantage there which may not in fact be the lowest possible set-up.

Merely my dos centavos...

cheers!

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'11 FSR Am. Vtg. Ltd. Ed. CAR '57 Stratocaster (SN# LE02639)
'14 American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster
'12 Telebration Empress Telecaster
'99 Deluxe Nashville Telecaster
'12 FSR Telecaster HH
'10 Heritage H-535
'99 Martin DC-1E
'13 Lanikai Tenor Ukulele


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Post subject: Re: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 5:31 pm
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Don't be afraid to "settle" for action slightly higher than you might otherwise consider optimal if you find the compound radius forces you into a compromise. You may find a little higher action improves the tone of your guitar. You may also find that it forces you to play more deliberately which can help you clean up your articulation. Usually (not always) one chooses low action for speed benefits. A few people also like it for reduced effort but in reality, electric strings are already pretty easy. I find my tone is best when I really dig in. Not the easiest thing to do with low action. If that's the case there's more to playing guitar than speed.

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Post subject: Re: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Wed Sep 23, 2015 11:28 pm
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Thanks a lot :D
Absolutely correct answers and valuable for myself. Thank you once more.
I do agree that the best action is realy the best for each of us. Can't be unique!
My previous strat was 12" (Classic Player) and the new one (Commemorative 60. Anniversary) is with this "modern" neck solution. Very interesting and challanging radius for all kind of players.
Regarding fact that I am not playing Satriani, Vai or Malmsteen, I would try to avoid buzz and not to look on the lowest action.
Thank you for answers :D


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Post subject: Re: Action for Strat Compaund Neck
Posted: Thu Sep 24, 2015 2:36 pm
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I would think a lot of the feel your looking for would be found in the bridge setup ie. the string-bridge radius.
I would start at the higher end around 14 and work towards 12, just my .02...ymmv


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