Guitar Setup (a question regarding the action on my guitar)?

Question

I have had a Squier Affinity Strat HSS for around four months now. I never had it setup by anyone, and I don't think anybody would have done a setup on it since it came in a package.

I am thinking that maybe I should get it setup so that the action is lower... right now it measures 1/16th of an inch at the 12th fret; and 1 quarter of an inch at the 21st fret.

I play a lot of stuff... mostly rock and such, but also a little blues. Should I have it setup so the action is lower? My friend has a Parker guitar that has lower action than mine... and I liked it except for the fact that it buzzed a lot.

Answer 1

I can't stand it when people drop their action too low - string buzz really gets under my skin. Some people like it because they can play fast, true, and there is a point where you can play on a lower action and not buzz - but half of that is technique, and the other half is just knowing when low enough is low enough.

I prefer my strings high enough that a firm pluck will give me no buzz at all, on the open string. There is an audible improvement in the quality of the tone when this is done.

There is a way to level your fretboard, so there isn't such a discrepancy. If you google "setup intonation guitar" or something like that, you should be able to find instructions on how to do it. My suggestion is to NOT touch your truss rod, unless your neck is visibly bent when the strings are off. I dunno, google that to before you touch your truss rod.

Saul

Answer 2

If you lower the action of a guitar too low, you will get that buzzing sound of which you speak of.  If the setting is ideal for you now, don't mess with it.