The Action Of The Guitar
June Moris June 11, 2009 - 1:43 pm .
Introduction.
The action is the distance between the strings and the fret board and plays an-IMO- important part in the tone. A low action makes the tone sound thin while a higher action gives a more ful and warmer tone. A high action gives more quality to the tone while playing faster is easier with a lower action. The action is fairly setup in the factory to give the guitar a nice tone and playing faster is not difficult either. With enough practice.
Reasons why players change the action are to play faster or to adjust the tone to their own taste.
The action and the bridge are setup this way that the harmonic on fret twelve produces the note E. This note has to be identical to the pith of the open string. If that isn’t the case the guitar cannot be tuned properly. If the action of a string is changed than the position of the bridge has to be adjusted to correct the pitch of the harmonic.
Why is that?
If the action is changed the tension on that string will change too which will result in a pith change. A higher action will increase the tension and the pitch. A lower action will decrease tension and pitch. The tension can again be increased/decreased by repositioning the bridge.
This is done using a special key delivered with the guitar. Turning it clockwise will pull the bridge back and pull on the string and raise the pitch. Turn it counter clockwise to position the bridge forward and to decrease the pitch.
As a beginner it’s best to leave the action as is because it’s precision works and not easy to get it right.
To change the action:
For experienced players who don’t know how to properly adjust the action read on.
Every brand builds their guitars slighlly different and especially the bridge may be constructed different. On Fender guitars(left picure) the action is adjusted on top of the bridge. At the back there is a regular screw to adjust he position of he bridge. On the picture on he right you see a different brand. There is a piece between he pickup and the end where the string is attached. On the op are 2 srews on each side to change the action.
These instructions here count for Fender guitars. Use the special key that comes with the guitar to adjust the 2 screws ON TOP of the bridge. Make identical changes to both the screws. Otherwise the bridge will be uneven. If you lowered the action check that the string doesn’t buzz. If it does the action is too low because on vibrating the string touches at least one fret. Once you have your preferred action you can adjust the bridge AT THE BACK with a regular screw driver. Again if you lowered the action you will have to increase the tension on the string here. You do this by changing the position of the bridge. Turning the screw clockwise will pull the bridge back pulling also the string. Adjusting the bridge at the back changes the physical length of the string.
Don’t overdo things. This is precision work and the slightest change will change the pitch.
Hello. I think the article is really interesting. I am even interested in reading more. How soon will you update your blog?
Check the links under Articles on the right. I added a few new ones. Hope you like them!