The setup of a guitar, including the height of the strings from the fretboard, significantly affects playability and comfort. If the strings are set too high above the fretboard, it can lead to a condition known as “high action.” This can make the guitar more challenging to play and negatively impact the overall playing experience. In this article, we’ll explore the effects of high action on a guitar and discuss how it can make playing more difficult.
Effects of High Action:
- Increased Finger Pressure:
When the strings are set too high, it requires more finger pressure to press the strings down to the frets and produce a clean sound. This increased resistance can lead to finger fatigue and discomfort during extended playing sessions.
- Intonation Issues:
High action can cause intonation problems, meaning that the guitar may not play in tune across the entire fretboard. Notes might sound sharp or flat, even when the guitar is correctly tuned. This can be frustrating and hinder your ability to play chords and melodies accurately.
- Difficulty with Barre Chords:
Barre chords, where a single finger presses down multiple strings across the fretboard, can be particularly challenging with high action. Achieving even pressure across all the strings becomes harder, resulting in muted or buzzing strings.
- Reduced Speed and Precision:
High action can slow down your playing speed and reduce your ability to execute fast and precise movements on the fretboard. This limitation can hinder your performance, especially for complex solos or intricate fingerstyle techniques.
- Lack of Sustain:
A higher string height can decrease the contact between the string and the fret, leading to reduced sustain. The notes may die out quickly, making it difficult to sustain long and expressive tones.
- Limitation in Bending:
Bending strings, a popular technique for adding expression to guitar playing, can be more challenging with high action. The added tension required to bend the strings may cause discomfort and make it harder to execute bends accurately.
Solutions:
If you find that playing your guitar is harder due to high action, there are several solutions:
- Guitar Setup:
Have your guitar professionally set up by a qualified guitar technician or luthier. They can adjust the action to the manufacturer’s recommended specifications, ensuring a comfortable and optimal playing experience.
- Adjusting Truss Rod:
The truss rod can be adjusted to control the neck’s curvature, which affects the string action. A proper truss rod adjustment can help achieve the desired action height.
- Lowering the Nut and Saddle:
A luthier can lower the nut slots and saddle height, which will reduce the string height at the first fret and bridge, respectively.
- String Gauge:
Consider using a lighter string gauge, as lighter strings require less tension and can result in a lower action height.
High action on a guitar can indeed make playing more difficult. It requires more finger pressure, can lead to intonation issues, and impact various playing techniques. To ensure a more enjoyable and comfortable playing experience, have your guitar professionally set up to achieve the optimal action height. By addressing high action issues, you’ll be able to play more comfortably, improve your technique, and fully enjoy your guitar playing.
