Ced
Joined: 27 Feb 2007
Location: Korea
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 Posted: Mon Mar 12, 2007 4:15 am Post subject: |
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You want to get the strings closer to the neck right?
Wouldn't that involve bending the neck?
I buy guitars with good action so I wouldn't know much about this.
Here's some info anyway:
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Action
Action refers to the amount of space between the fingerboard and the strings. Too much action makes for difficult playing because you have to press the strings more heavily. If the action is too low, the strings tend to buzz even on a perfect neck with new frets.
Note that intonation adjustment and adjusting the action are mutually dependent, since pressing the string increases its tension and therefore influences intonation. Also, some guitars require more action because of their fingerboard radius, for example Telecasters often have a smaller fingerboard radius than other guitars. When bending strings (except the d and g strings), a small fingerboard radius will make the strings buzz even if the action is otherwise correct.
Also, the right amount of action is dependent on which strings you play. The heavier these are, the less they will buzz, so with a .009 set of strings you will need a little more action than with .010 strings (beware: changing the string gauge will also require neck readjustment.
For the following I assume that your guitar is otherwise correctly adjusted. If your guitar has a non-adjustable bridge, as most acoustic guitars, this will require that you remove the saddle, so - unless you know what you're doing, leave it to a pro. The following applies to guitars with adjustable bridges.
This is an example of a bridge typical for archtop guitars which can be adjusted for action and intonation.
Play your guitar, one note at a time, each note on each fret, loudly. Some notes will buzz more than others. Concentrate on these.
If string action is adjustable for each string, adjust one string at a time; if you have a bridge with two height-adjustment screws like most jazz guitars (as in the example) and electric acoustics, concentrate on the 2nd and 5th string, but cross check with all when you think you are finished.
Release string tension before you actually turn the screws.
If the strings buzz, gradually increase string action until the buzz is reduced to a minimum. There is no one correct value for string action, it is partly a matter of taste, some players even prefer a light buzz when playing loudly. If you feel your action is too high, decrease it a little, then play every note on this string to check which first begins to buzz.
When you are done, you will have to readjust intonation, and in the case of heavy strings or a considerable change, it is possible that you willl have to readjust the neck as well. |
http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/3612/adjustg.html#act |
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