It has recently come to my understanding that the term "action" is used describe how easily a guitar is played, am I right? By this I mean the height of the strings off of the fretboard, the lower the easier/faster, right? Does this have any kind of drawback when using low tunings?

And how would action be adjusted on a tune-o-matic bridge? I know it's done by adjusting the bridge, but how exactly? Is it necessary to remove the strings when doing this and does this change the tone of a guitar at all? I think I've made it obvious enough that I'm a noob to electrics, I'm very curious. Thanks in advance.

That is how I understand the term.
Second part of your question, I don't know anything about that.

I think it depends on what type of tune-o-matic you have, seems there's a standard and a modern type. Quick google, and I found this. Also lowering your action too low can cause fret buzz and your notes won't be crisp and clear, I have mine about the minimum I can get away with. Lower tunings I raise mine some to allow for the thickness of the strings. Hope this helps!

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Yes, action refers to the string height. You should make sure your action is not too low, or you'll have buzzing strings. I'm not too experienced w/ tune-o-matics, but I would think that you would just loosen the strings enough so that the bridge can be moved.

You shouldn't have to loosen the strings. I could be wrong, I've never used a tuneomatic. On my hardtail I just use a hex rod to raise or lower the saddles. Adjusting the action does detune the guitar a little bit so you just need to retune, but that's it. There's no tone difference.

I've adjusted the action on my guitar a few times. Now I've got it at about 1.7mm on the low E, and about 1.1mm on the high E. Using 11 - 49's. I have no fret buzz unless I pick or strum hard. Lower tunings generally require you to change your action.

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With a tune-o-matic, you won't have to loosen the strings, as Overmind says, you just adjust the height of the saddle (but you will need a screwdriver, not an allen key )

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Low action has huge draw backs in my opinion. You wont develop finger strength as quickly and lower action takes tone away. Play a barr chord on guitar with a slightly high action compared to a guitar with ultra low action, there will be a big difference. I played a guitar with 13s tund to C# with very very very high action for almost 2 years and it did wonders when I properly set up my guitar, my finger strength is great now because of it.

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I've been playing on an acoustic with thick-as-fuck strings like half an inch above the fretboard for a year now, I think my fingers are strong enough by now. :P

Yeah, I recently got an acoustic and it does wonders for your playing ability.

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Along with gettin cramps and fustrating you.

An acoustic was what I started out on, and what I've been using up until now. Damn was it hard at first, and I was still getting cramps even after 6 months of rigorious practice. It's unbelievable how easy it is to play hard shit on a friend's Schecter electric, though. Can't wait till I get my Ltd. ;D

That's the thing, I played electric for like 5 years, then I just got my first acoustic about a month ago, and bar chords are killing my hands.

"Action" is a term used to describe 'getting some'

I suppose it's a double meaning. I mean low action is good and requires little movement and is very quick but high action is also good which increases endurance and strength. Yes, high action usually yields more 'tone' from the 'soundhole'. Actually, any action at all is usually a good move.

Am I way out to lunch here?

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..diggin up this old thread.


I just fitted my hamer with 10's, and well I've always played my guitars with low low action just cause it's easier to fret the notes and do legato, but my hamer is set kinda medium action (I've already adjusted the trem as low as it can go), I've noticed I can sweep a fuckload easier, and the notes are so much clearer. Is there a tradeoff sort for action...speed for clarity? How does everyone have their action set on their guitars, string size, and trem type. Both my RG's have low, but I think I'm gonna jack em up a bit.

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I use 10's with an action of 3/32 on the low E and taper down to 1/16 on the high E at the 12th fret. I adjust my bow between 1/64 and 3/128. I get nice clear tone. Thats are just how I set up though. The nut hight also plays a big roll in how the guitars feels in combination with action and bow.

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I have an Ibanez rocket roll II with 12s in B, fixed bridge (not my guitar)
and a Vintage wraith (yeah, yeah, i know...) with 10s in D with a liscensed floyd.

Both have the action set as low as possible without buzzing.