How and Why To Set The Action On A Strat For Blues
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- Опубліковано 11 сер 2014
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In this video I'll show you how I setup the action on my Strats, and why. I'll explain how I determine the correct height of the first string and how I set the height of the other strings relative to that.
I just got this action after hours and months fiddling around trying to learn set up with trial and error. When my setup was like this I instantly got 50% faster and my guitar sustains perfectly now. It’s perfect. Listen to this video!!!!
This is the ultimate tutorial about the action's set up on every guitar. Thanks a lot for sharing.
I'm really late to this discussion, but for what it's worth...
1) Very enjoyable and informative video here! Great information!
2) My longtime method for setting string height is kind of low-tech, but it has worked really well for me throughout the years. I call it "a Quarter's worth of action."
Quite simply, I aim to set the height of the strings so that I can JUST BARELY slide a Quarter under them at the location of the 16th and 17th frets. I rest the Quarter on top of those two frets so that it spans them like a bridge over a river. I work with the 6th and 5th strings (as a pair) initially, then scoot the Quarter underneath the 4th and 3rd strings, and then finally underneath the 2nd and 1st strings. Ideally, I like to get it so that, when plucked gently, each string sits just high enough above the Quarter to be able to ring clearly and without buzzing against the top of the Quarter. This process gives me a nice medium-low action, and gets the strings following the fretboard radius with pretty good accuracy. That's my story and... 😊
Seven years later and still absolutely gold. Got myself a 7.25 and kept on fretting out. I Assumed it is just a matter of getting used to it, but this makes things so much better. Thank you for generously sharing.
I find that high action makes it easier to bend notes, strum more aggressively, and overall get more enjoyment out of playing guitar
How high you set up your action ?
@@rembertoquintanilla5007 4/64” across all strings on the 17th fret which is Fender’s recommendation. I’ll do 5/64” on occasion
That's such a great argument but, if you factor in floating tremolo's and string tension, isn't action subjective and variable/relative to playability?
Jut so you know there are standard measurements. For a 9.5 radius Fender 4/64 (1.6mm) is considered standard Fender setup not high. Generally speaking ‘High’ is 5/64 or 2mm- 2.2mm, Standard or ‘Medium is 4/64 or 1.6mm and anything lower than 1.4 mm is considered low. Superlow is below 1.3mm. YMMV
I capo mine on the first fret .then set the strings at the 17th fret to the fender specs or 1.6 mm then when you let off the capo it’s just right for the 7.25 radius .
This is really a great video. I now know what has been the source of my trouble and how to correct it. Thank you sir. This should be required in beginner lessons
Best action explanation for strat. Thank you
That was dynamite ! I followed your (lead) and tried that pattern. It feels real nice. What a fantastic vid ! Thank you from Yuma,AZ.
Actually, most of the string's action configurations have this shape on the saddles because of the neck curvature, what helps to avoid buzzing. In my modest opinion, the best configuration for blues/shuffle goes with a quiet high 0.11 string action on E flat tunning on a strat. But great tips anyway, very clear and useful. Thanks for sharing these tips with us buddy!
As someone who bought a used strat and set up my guitar on my own to factory specs I know feel I have to go back and redo the whole process. Excellent video.
Wow, you just made my power chords playing so much easier!, I kept hitting the G string, not anymore now after raising the top 3 strings a little. Thank you
Thank you! Bends and overlaping strings are easier to manage for me now!
The best explanation of setting up a guitar for blues
Awesome. I just started playing, have read stuff about different action heights. Sure the low action felt easier for a beginner but I can tell you this made bending a lot easier and as a bonus the guitar sounds much better because there's now zero buzz.
This makes so much sense....thank you....have not heard this anywhere else.....just what I need.
This channel is so good. I can watch it all weekend.
Damn! How you played, What you were playing, the tone! So so good. Could listen all day
I know this is an old video but it was exactly what I was looking for, thanks a lot Anthony!
Excellent vid. I do this sort of setup for every single Strat I own; It's nice to see there are pro blues players out there who also go by this method. Though, contrary to what others said here, I think this setup works for all styles (on a Strat) -- not just blues. Of course, your axe MUST be properly constructed from the factory to begin with.
This makes WAY TO MUCH SENSE!!!! Thank you, I will try this, I know you are not "telling" me this is what you should do, but you describe feelings (e.g., the squeezing and digging for the string feelings) that I have on my two guitars. I have had the guy who set up the guitars say "You've got a good low action - makes it really easy to play" - Well for strumming cords it is, but now I am wondering if playing the lead stuff is being hindered because of the digging and squeezing I do. That describes the feeling I have precisely. I'll let you know after I make a change to my prized white MIM start ($499 worth of Fender goodness... LOL).
Thanks man, best adjust vídeo i ever seen.
Thank you! This fixed my string bending woes.
Very interesting evaluation. Enjoyed it, thanks.
Really dig this tone. Smooth.
Great Idea!!! Im setting my strat right away. Thanks.
Thank you, thank you very much sir! You explanation really solved my problem.
This is so much better than all those video's talking about measurements
Very well put together.
I use to set up using radius gauges not not more after watching this video! Srv rhythms are much so easier like pride and joy and cold shot awesome
As a guitar tech, I would caution on this setup. It is a very specialized setup for a very specialized playing style. I've done setups like this for a number of my blues LEAD clients and it's great for that. Anthony did title this "... For Blues" for a reason and it works for his style. My clients that are shredders, rhythm, rock, county, etc. typically have setups that follow the curvature of the fretboard (height will vary greatly).
That being said, this is how my Strat is set.
Yeah, I guess I use both the fretboard radius and the 'feel' to adjust the action. I adjust the B string (most bends, for me) to feel right, then adjust the other strings to follow the radius of the board, then follow up with minor adjustments if some strings feel too low or high. The fretboard radius method alone may not work too well when you're dealing with compound radius boards.
Tim McGuire That's a great point. This setup would be pretty terrible for many other types of playing that involve less bending and more tapping. Generally for metal/shredding I've always thought the lower the better for the action.
@@Texasbluesalley you make the first string height easier to bend by lowering or by raising it? And what about neck relief measurement?
Excellent ideas! An action too low makes me feel like i have to be overly "careful" when bending. for whatever reason i start setting up a guitar with the D and G strings. and then work outward but your logic is very sound! ....interesting!
As I watches your teaching , its easy to see you have many years playing the guitar cause your hand movement is so clean, that doesn't
develop over night.
Prudent info, not just repeated content.
Thank you so much for this tutorial
Diggin deep to find the G string is wrong in more than 1 aspect
Actually this should be done after the concert...
And always with the minimum amount of squeezing. 😏😎
I like the way you explained
Thats just your taste for string height...i have my top E and B higher than any of the other strings.. its all about what works for the individual..everyones grip and hands are different
I much prefer your approach. I think it helps by forcing you to pay attention to whats going on i.e focusing on the touch, pressure and adjustment of your fingers. I think its probably better for experienced players and not for newbies. All the specs relating to string height and relief given by various manufacturers, players and websites etc are generally always different anyway so why not just forget the subjectiveness of it and personalise it. Great to see someone take a more common sense approach. Great video and explanation.
Well said! Everything - learning chords, riffs, setting up the action and pickup height... it's all about using your ears and learning it's all about feel. Who cares about music sheets and string height measurements!
Nice tips thank you!!!
Great video, do also have unconventional ways of setting up the relief and nut height or do you just measure that out?
Interesting approach
Perfect sense ty.
Well explained !! Thanks!
I setup my Ibanez RG's to follow the fretboard radius. I like a low to medium action as most of my guitars have medium frets ( except for a couple of my Ibanez's from the 80's) and that makes it a bit easier to bend strings. I've never owned a Strat but I do have a couple of Roadstar's that are similar to a Fat Strat. This setup appears to be more of "His" personal style setup and not a mainstream setup ( correct me if I'm wrong). I love to learn new ways to skin the same cat. Who knows, maybe that cat will be skinned for good one day.
Thanks 🤘
very useful,thx
I play a mustang and changed my position of the saddle to compensate for a wound G string.. will this guide work for a mustang with a wound G string?
Again logic and reason prove best.
You over thought this one. You even said the "D" string height not critical, higher/same as "G"? OK I agree it does not matter. Asymmetrical or symmetrical. You said it and I agree. It does not matter. Funny thing is while you say you only go by feel on the high "E". I bet my last dollar it lines up with accepted measurements. My point is you are making an issue out of a non issue.
But on a secondary observation. I really like your explanation of why we do have a curve/non equal heights. I never knew why and now I do.
Finally just for thought consider if the "G" and "D" strings are set at the same height from the saddles. When you go to grab the "D" will be higher as the greater diameter causes.
You gave a great explanation of why we do not have flat saddle heights. Your Asymmetrical "D" string is your preference and even in your own explanation not really a necessity. Symmetrical is just fine for most. I also notice you have an upside down vibrato. Please do not try and explain why that is better. Jimi did it because he was left handed that is it. Do not give justice beyond that.
I have CS Strat with Compound radius (9.5 to 12 inch) on 0.10 to 0.52 strings: capo on a 1st fret then measured on 12th fret: high E 3/64 (approx 1.2 mm) and then all other strings to 4/64 inch (aprox. 1.6mm). It works great with chords and big bends!
Perfect
hello,,,can i ask if this is a Compound Radius fretboard?,,,,and this is a Fender Strat Guitar?,,,,,and what Model?,,,,bery nice Sound,,,thank you
Could you help me out I don’t know much about action but watched the benefits of this particular setup but I wanted a guitar to do this so what would I say to the guitar tech to have this done
Nice explanation. Great tone, too. Amp and settings?
This is why the 7.25 radius on Fender Strats and Teles are so critical
Hello. I cannot produce a whole step note by bending the "high e" string. Please advise what to do. Do I need higher string height on "high e" string just to satisfy the whole step note? Appreciate your response. 🙂
It's nice to hear the Vibroverb going, man!
Did you have the tube rectifier selected during this video on the amp?
Diode / Regular mode.
Texas Blues Alley your sound is deadly, love it....
On an unrelated note, sweet opening "monologue"...love the tone and licks. When you play unaccompanied like that, are you "hearing" the 12-bars in your head? I've been playing around with that kind of solo stuff, and while I can do it, I have to think a lot about what I'm playing in relation to what I'm hearing in my head.
Jeffrey Richard Yes. A goal of every blues player should be to solo to a 12-bar track playing in their head and have the chord changes come out through their soloing to a listener.
can you do a video for action on les pauls / sg with a similar action on this strat?
can you please tell me which guage string you use and brand
With a vintage Strat neck that has a 7 & 1/4 inch radius ya gotta start with a height that the strings won't choke out on the fretts when ya bend, which is pertty high...
Hi, thx for the tips.
I'm new to electric guitar.
I have a stratocaster, my strings are 0.09-0.42. though my strings are light guage, but compared to your bending, i found my strings are pretty tight and hard to bend so much like you..
So does the tention of the string is related to what? how to adjust the guitar to have a loose string?
and does the springs on the back of the guitar control the string tension as well?
Thank you
It’s been five years, but I’m going to reply nonetheless. It’s about the tuning. In order to loosen your strings you tune your whole guitar a half step or a whole step down. With less tension on the strings you make them feel more loose.
I just set all my string same high at 12th fret according to radius of fretboard and all okay
So relative to high e, b is closer to the neck? Is that right or do I have it backwards?
My Strat feels great, but I have to dig a bit on my ASAT. I think it's time for an adjustment on that guitar.
Him: If you've ever broken a string during a show that can be terrifying.
BB King: casually changes string while on stage.
Yea, but BB could talk you through it so you wouldn't even notice...
SRV just had a backup axe waiting
That's just another level of tension that he can create as the fans wait for him to pour his heart out onto the fretboard.
What kind of strings and string gauge are you using? Thanks
Wow this makes a lot of sense... I only have les paul styles, which doesn't allow for individual lowering and raising of string heights - les paul style only has the tailpiece. This makes me want to get a strat now!! I don't have the money! Maybe i'll get a kickstarter going. :-)
You can also get a Ibanez ar bouble cut a way version which is like a les paul and sounds great
I'm not sure but string gauge and where you were bending (12th) come into PLAY too.
Great video, but what about the guitar neck, do you keep it as straight as possible, or do you keep some bow?
Always best to have some bow ,not a lot tho ,just enough so that you don't rattle your strings on the frets
Wouldn't following the curve of the neck accomplish the same goal?
Yes you can follow the curve of the neck. W Percival.
So far out of all the videos I've seen on string height an bridge height it makes alot of sense especially if u been play as long as I have u can feel what u like in your strings now maybe for a newbie or if yer setting up someone's guitar u have the starting point of a facts sheet of that guitar, cause everyone likes it different but for me I do it by feel🤔works fantastic thanks for the videos
fretboard radius and the odd high fret will determine how low you can set the action - if your frets are all level like they should be - a low action set up is easy enough - one high fret and it screws up the whole set up. Fender guides are just that - a guide so what he is saying is right also your set up depends on how you play - eg if you dont bend strings much you can get lower action etc too low and the guitar will sound poor
Your Guitar fretboard has a radius... For an even feel, adjust the saddles/string height (preferably with an "under"string radius gauge...) at the radius of your fretboard.. The high e string a bit lower and the low E string a bit higher with the in between strings in radius as i mentioned.... These are some guidelines. I mostly set the high and low E, and then adjust the rest with the under string Radius Gauge.
I've been using the same setup for years. When I first started, I was told to follow the radius of the fretboard. That was my logic.
Curtis Graham and following the radius of fret board would be the correct way.
Curtis Graham not entirely true. The thickest strings will end with a slightly higher action because of the wider string movement. This will prevent fret buzz when hitting the strings harder.
The guy in the video mentioned “asymmetrical”. Following the fretboard would be symmetrical :-)
All depends on the fingertips size eh?
When bending...If the tips grab the string correctly, down pressure is relieved thereby easing wear on frets and hand fatigue.
Adjusting your guitar to your individual physical makeup makes your guitar yours. Another reason that bonds you to your instrument.
When you can play your guitar with precision and ease and someone else allowed to play your guitar is fighting to play it just confirms...it's your guitar 😉🤣👍😎
My #1 guitar when just starting out had to have fretwork done way before it should have because of all the downward pressure I was applying. That was because I didn't have the action correctly set up to my fingers size. An expensive lesson learned. However...did achieve a lot of muscle strength in the process 🤣👍😎
Live and learn eh?
👍😎❤🖖
Makes sense . But why do you use that left handed tremmelo bridge on your right handed body ?
Hey Anthony! You mentioned that you set up the first string's height so that it's easy to bend the string by just pushing up without applying much pressure towards toward the fingerboard. But doesn't it depend on the fret height? I mean you can set the string height as high as you want, but if your frets are worn as soon as you press the string against the fret no "finger meet" is left to there to help you bend and you'll have to push downwards.
stas It is related. If you have jumbo frets, it requires less squeezing to bend at any string height. If you've got worn down frets I'm not sure higher action helps in this regard because you've got so little fret height between your fingers and the fretboard.
Just had my frets redressed. The action now feels tight so would the best thing to do be lowering the saddles?
The "action" refers to the distance between the bottom of the string and the top of the fret. What do you mean your action feels tight? by tight I personally assumed you were saying it was a bit low but you're thinking about lowering the saddles further so I must be wrong. *confusing* Do you mean the strings feel tighter than they were before fret dressing? If so, that is probably because the neck has been straightened and now the strings have more tension. You can either 1. get use to the new tension, usually takes about 1-2 weeks if you play semi-regular 2. get lighter strings 3. take the guitar back and ask the dude to put a little more relief on the neck. Hope this helps : D
Wow. I thought I was the only one who decided the height of a high E string that way.
No u are not unique.
Sorry to confirm this. 😁
Hello! What is your fretboard radius?
How do you make it easier to bend the High E string? How did you reduce tension
@ozzie houser whats a trem brake angle?
Thanks for the info. But in the last video you said guitar knowledge were secrets, and not for anyone else to know ;-)
I have a short memory.
Texas Blues Alley And in the guitar jerk video, you said keeping your knowledge a secret from others is a bad thing!
Texas Blues Alley If it had no been for being fortunate to have some GREAT Guitarist show me licks and " Secrets " It would have taken me much longer to learn what I know .. I wouldn't give out names , but there's no secrets among true musicians; and when I meet a GUITAR JERK , I give him a compliment on what a JERK he or she is and walk away ! I enjoy your videos .. You are a good teacher /
JOE TAYLOR
hope everyone understands i was being facetious there.
Ycjedi We're all just fucking around here.
god damn that intro just soothes my soul
9 1/2 radius for a stratocaster and at the 12 fret when fretted the 6 string is 1mm and the 1st is 1.5.. the blues to me .., is all that,, and your pickups have all got to perfect hight because,,, style is not easy to manipulate it is a life changing risk that you play with and then make you move when your in..... i enjoy mostly the middle setting on the selector it is very seldom i go for the deep bluesy noise of the neck or even the pitch perfect ballad noise of the bridge... the bridge is the highest the middle is almost as high as the neck and lace sensor hot gold pick ups with the clapton pots are untouchable... for the passionate sound that make you move..
Reading you showed me you know what has to be felt.......... No feel felt, no feel transmitted........All in playing is not just beeing heard but get understood.......I'm a Clapton fan
ya the blues is movement and you really got to feel what you play, for me at least some times you get it some times you don't it takes that faith to get it right, and it helps to have a sound you love... but to move around the guitar with passion is what we all stride for... i love playing my guitar love it...
Do you ever find the 49 on the 11-49's to be a bit too light? I've just switched from EB 11-54 and the E string is a bit flubby for a blues rhythm
At times, for sure. I don't mind the .11 for the E, but the .15 for the B seems super light. I def. prefer a .16 or .16 for B, and a .18 or .19 for G, but the problem is that for most .12 sets, the G ends up being .20 or .21 which I don't like.
Try Dunlop Heavy Core strings!
Well. Doesn't it have to deal with the radius of freatboard too? Fretboard is rounded in some radius so G has to be higher than E just to be adjusted to the freatbord so it won't lay on it. Am I wrong somewhere? Doesn't it make more sense?
You're absolutely right. Initial setup is done so the saddle heights match the radius of the fretboard. This should give the strings the same action/fret clearance.
The player can then adjust the saddle height to their preferred string action.
Not that I'm a guitar tech... Just recently became interested in how to set up a guitar instead of taking it to the shop all the time.
Does he use 9 or 10size strings?
👍🏻
His voice reminds me of the movie “The Sandlot”
wow, can't unhear it now.
Excellent explanation & excellent communicator in general. Have you ever considered school teaching?
Nice video. Have you ever tried the srv set up?
Care to share the SRV set up? What is that? I know he had huge strings and his tech would put some sleeving on the strings up to the saddles, to stop them from breaking.
Spudvader really high action as well. I cant remeber the numbers off the top of my head but a google search will have it. I use it and i like it.
Spudvader really high action as well. I cant remeber the numbers off the top of my head but a google search will have it. I use it and i like it.
I know this is a pretty old video ... but how would you set your strat if you had a neck with a 7.25 radius and vintage frets ?
Totally different!
Would this way of setting up the bridge be appropriate for a Tele as well?
Yes
great video thanks
Do graphtech saddles change your tone?
Yes, I don't have any personal experience, but anytime you change one of the contact points of the string (bridge/saddle or nut) the tone will most certainly change. I imagine that graphite being a softer material than brass or steel, would be a bit smoother and creamier like nylon and "tame" the high end.
Yes. If you have steel saddles and go to Graphtech, you will notice a reduction in brightness. But tone can be compensated for with EQ, broken strings cannot.
There is a lot of talk about what kind of guitars,set ups and amps are the best for blues or jazz,metal,rock..shredding,expensive hambuckers,coils,pick ups..bla..bla.But we forget that all that nice old music and sound we like was made long ago on cheap instruments,"don't bother" set ups and buzzing amplifiers...I still have 35 old Samick stratocaster with original set up and everything on it,it still plays better than my Fender telecaster,Gibson,Ibanez and other guitars..
Doesn’t this happen naturally if u measure and follow the neck radius?
I was hoping for an explanation on the blue painters tape on the trem arm. :)
Wrapped around the trem arm to make it fit more snugly in the hole. I prefer PTFE plumbers' tape.
Alex McGregor Probably a better choice, painters tape was the only thing I had on hand when I did it.
So What Gauge Strings do you use?
Danny Vee .11 - .49 for E-Flat tuning.