Country/Chikin' picking players

[PhatBoy]

I know alot of y'all have your action higher than everybody else, The question is 'how high?'

I'm wanting to attempt that style and would like some advice. Will not being a consistent player currently be a hindrance; i.e. not used to that style?

All advice welcome.
PB

 

[mickeydean]

I know alot of y'all have your action higher than everybody else, The question is 'how high?'

I'm wanting to attempt that style and would like some advice. Will not being a consistent player currently be a hindrance; i.e. not used to that style?

All advice welcome.
PB

actually i have my action really really low.

don't tell me i have been doing this wrong all this time!

 

[20000 Roads]

I'm not sure how to tell you exactly 'how high' I keep my action. I have to do all of my setups myself because there is nobody around NW Ohio that I know of to take it to who will understand what I want and be able to do it. When I'm doing a setup I play like I normally would, and set the action so that I can dig in a bit without popping too loudly. All of my strings are set higher than you'd find on an average setup, but G, B and high E are relatively the highest when compared to other people's setups.

Sorry I can't be more specific. I'm sure other users on here will have more insightful things to say.

 

[telecaster803]

I set mine up like im going to play slide ( cause i do) and go from there.

 

[PhatBoy]

Well, would y'all guess roughly 2X the suggested height? 3X?

PB

 

[Ormond]

If you are going to play B. Mason style stuff you better be set up as low as possible. You should barely feel those string underneath your fingers when you are doing neck navigation at speed.

 

[Big John]

actually i have my action really really low.

+1 !!
I don't see how you can get that wonderful 'slap' sound of a Telecaster being hit without a low action.
I use 0.09's too BTW and don't get any complaints 'tone' wise.

 

[Hiker]

I don't see how you can get that wonderful 'slap' sound of a Telecaster being hit without a low action.
I use 0.09's too BTW and don't get any complaints 'tone' wise.

+1 (Low Action and EB 9's.)

 

[telechucker]

I find I have to have a bit of string height if I'm doing "pedal steel" type bends. I think my tone's a little better too. It takes a little getting used to, but not a big thing. Regards.

 

[bender-freak]

i keep my action so low it is disgusting, but i have always been of the opinion if i play any guitar for any length of time and my wrist/fingers are uncomfortable, there is something wrong with the set-up of that instrument..i don't think there is any hard and fast rule for "how high/low" on the action...it just seems to me if the action is really high a person is going to have to exert more pressure to fret the note, stretching the string more, and here comes intonation problems...that's been my experience, anyhow...i'm a thumb pick and finger player and the lower the action is (almost on the verge of "buzzing") works the best for me; i also do all my own setups and cut my own fingerboard nuts to suit me....it's a preference thing, i suppose..find your own zone and don't worry too much about how someone else does it...

 

[TELECASTERbstrd]

I can get her done on high and low set ups. I've got one guitar set up each way and don't prefer one over the other, I just pick up each guitar as needed for it's particular tone.

To set up high, rise your strings and them raise them a little more (maybe a quarter inch at the butt of the neck?). That should be high enough. I actually dropped them a hair from there because my fingers are wimpy I guess.

 

[psychotelepathic]

I know alot of y'all have your action higher than everybody else, The question is 'how high?'

I'm wanting to attempt that style and would like some advice. Will not being a consistent player currently be a hindrance; i.e. not used to that style?

All advice welcome.
PB

For reference, Paisley's action is really low...I hear that his guitars buzz quite extensively when played unplugged.

 

[91xlntS-3]

I've always had low action on all my guitars and for years used 9-42 gauge strings. Just recently switched to D'Addario 9.5-44 gauge and like them just fine. I also do my own set ups.

It's got to feel right to YOU, so I wouldn't worry about what others' do, or how they set up thier guitars. Do what feels good to you!

 

[Chet Johnson]

I go as low as I can without fretting out or major buzzing. A little buzz when you dig in.

 

[flatout9]

I keep it low and use .10's and very little buzz. It can get a little tricky with some bends but that's when you kick with some stupid vibrato or straight into a chromatic lick like you meant it.

 

[PhatBoy]

Well, this is interesting.....
I've been under the impression that country players had higher strings so as to get underneath them.
So, all you guys play country with LOW string height?....... Brent M and Paisley both smoke the fingerboard and I have NO CHANCE of even carrying their guitar cases..

PerB

 

[TELECASTERbstrd]

For reference, Paisley's action is really low...I hear that his guitars buzz quite extensively when played unplugged.

If I worked as much and played as hard as Brad does, I'd have them low too! From the people I know that play high, it's because it's a very clear tone (lacking buzz and maybe great for the studio). Personally, I could care less! To me it's all about Get The Job Done so we can move on to the next tune!

 

[mickeydean]

+1 !!
I don't see how you can get that wonderful 'slap' sound of a Telecaster being hit without a low action.
I use 0.09's too BTW and don't get any complaints 'tone' wise.

Big John i am a recent convert to d'addario 9.5's. they feel almost the same as 009 but i really like the tone a ton.

 

[gtrplr]

For a little perspective, here are a couple of stats:

Gibson factory spec is 5/64ths on the bass E at the 12th fret, 3/64ths on the treble E at the 12th fret.
Epiphone spec is 6/64ths on the bass E at the 12th fret, 4/64ths on the treble E at the 12th fret.
This is measured from the underside of the string to the top of the fret.
Neck relief spec is .010inch. This almost dead straight. Fret the guitar at the 1st and 17th fret. If you can slip a business card between the string and the 10th fret, you have too much relief.
According to (link removed), Bill Kirchen has his tele set to 5/64ths on both the bass and treble side, with .020inch of relief at the 10th fret. That's a lot of relief.
SRV had his set at 7/64ths bass and 5/64ths treble, and he used 13's!

I personally feel that these specs are high. My main guitar (Warmoth body and neck, compound radius) sits at 3/64ths treble, 3.5/64ths bass, neck dead straight. There is a little fret buzz because after 17 years of playing, it needs a refret! My other guitars (mostly partscasters) have slightly higher action. My Epi Les Paul Studio is the same as my main axe.

Having said all that, whatever feels comfortable and works for you is "best". I've heard some great players with actions that were higher that SRV, and some that had the strings literally laying on the frets. Experiment. And have fun.

I'll send you a bill for my consulting fee.

 

[Big John]

Big John i am a recent convert to d'addario 9.5's. they feel almost the same as 009 but i really like the tone a ton.

I'm still hooked on DR's 'Hi-Beam' set 9-11-16-24-32-42 but i ALWAYS have to replace that 16 and put an EBall 15 in it's place, 16 is just plain wrong !!