Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Rick Alexander on December 3, 2016 at 11:12am

It really depends on a lot of things. If you are not able to produce a clean note and move it up and down without bumping the frets, raise it until you can. Also make sure you are not clacking the frets on the bottom edge of the fretboard, that's common and will make you think your action is too low.

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Permalink Reply by bubba ike on December 3, 2016 at 7:19pm

Have the same question. On a fretted fingerboard it seems like it is finding the sweet spot where it's low enough to finger notes easily but not so low that you bump the frets playing it with a slide. Also seems like it would be easier to lower it, especially at the nut, such as filing it down or cutting the string groves deeper, rather than trying to raise it. The question is how high to start??--seems like there ought to be some suggestions out there. Thanks

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Permalink Reply by John Sawyer on December 3, 2016 at 10:39pm

Like Rick said... It does come down to the skill of the player, too...  And the slide...

My current build is just barely high enough to play slide at the first fret... it takes some practice, because it's setup pretty low.   I'd go a tad higher at .030"  (Medium pick height- .071mm).  My Low G string is normally a tad higher than a medium pick, and the Dg strings are a bit lower... Much lower on the G string and you might get buzzing on the first fret on aggressive picking..

At the 12th fret I start at.080".  Of course it takes a very straight neck, or one with zero backbow to get much lower.   I also level my frets to prevent buzzing.

According to Stewmac Steel String Acoustic guitar: Low E to high E

1st - .023 -> .013

12th  .090 -> .070

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Online_Resources/Neck_Building_and_Re...

Of course, that does NOT take into account slide use,   It really comes down to the player's preference.

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Permalink Reply by ChickenboneJohn on December 4, 2016 at 12:05am

Here's my take on it...how low you can go depends on your playing skill, but having the action too high will definitely make things very hard to play. Having a good amount of tension in the strings also helps - i.e. go heavier gauge for a given tuning.

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Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on December 6, 2016 at 9:53am

Thanks Chicken Bone. That says it well. I still like Jerry Douglas' high action slide work. For lap lay. I use a steven's style bar and play mostly lap style.

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Permalink Reply by JL on December 5, 2016 at 4:26am

Slide only with no frets?

Any height you want.  with a gentle touch you can probably make 1mm at the nut work, but 3mm or 4mm might work more easily, or much higher.  a beer bottle diddley bow has the string a few inches above the neck.

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Permalink Reply by Russ Oakes on December 5, 2016 at 8:29am

I have learned a lot from all the replies especially the video , thanks to all!

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Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on December 6, 2016 at 9:35am

I think it depends on your method of play. Jerry Douglas has his strings very high. He plays lap style. Heavy strings hold their height more easily. If you want to slide in the guitar up position then you might want a low action. This lets you play with fingers and slide. It works for the first few frets but will finger sharp as you move up the neck. I finger up to the fifth fret with an action set at about 1/8 inch at the nut but about 1/4 inch at the end of the neck. Then the slide won't bottom out and clack on the frets. It takes a light touch on the slide. Keep the slide flat and not tilted. I prefer lap play myself and am one inch or less in height with strong string tension. Clack free.

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