Action-responsiveness question

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turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

Action-responsiveness question

Hello - luthiers. I few weeks ago I played a flamenco guitar with very low action. It sounded nice, but was a bit buzzy.
Weeks later, I thought about buying it, but asked the seller to raise the action. He raised it basically to "classical action". i'd say he brought it up 1 - 2cm from where it was.

Strangely, the guitar felt less powerful and responsive. Less volume even.

Is this possible or is it my memory playing tricks?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 27 2012 19:33:08

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1677
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)

It's usually the other way around: Low action means you can't play as hard so you get less sound.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2012 3:48:48

Jeff Highland

Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia

RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)

Perhaps the strings were older the second time you tried it, if they have been loosened and tightened a few times during action adjustment the basses could have lost their brilliance

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2012 5:32:47

krichards

Posts: 597
Joined: Jan. 14 2007
From: York, England

RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)

To bring the action up he must have made a new saddle. It may not fit like the previous one, so the sound and response could easily be different.
I find that the saddle is a crucial element in the response of a guitar

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2012 6:09:37

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)

2 possibilities:

1) Your memory

2) Bringing up the action 1 - 2cm is absurd. Did you mean 1 - 2mm?
If it was 1 - 2cm, the the breakangle would be so steep that it would tilt the bridge so much that the guitar would "choke" and not sound well

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2012 6:10:40

turnermoran

Posts: 391
Joined: Feb. 6 2010

RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

Sorry everyone: it was more like .5 cm. ... maybe .75.

I think it was memory, and the fact that I brought a comparison guitar this time.

And yes, perhaps the strings were older.

Here's a question though: Does the onset of humid conditions take the life out of a guitar just a bit?

When I played the guitar, it was a dry summer. Not it's rainy season, and it was a foggy day at that.

I've noticed lately that my guitars don't seem to have much punch..but maybe it's me. Or the strings, etc etc
But do guitars absorb water and become less responsive??

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2012 6:19:19

ralexander

Posts: 797
Joined: Jun. 1 2010
From: Halifax, Nova Scotia

RE: Action-responsiveness question (in reply to turnermoran)

quote:

Here's a question though: Does the onset of humid conditions take the life out of a guitar just a bit?

When I played the guitar, it was a dry summer. Not it's rainy season, and it was a foggy day at that.

I've noticed lately that my guitars don't seem to have much punch..but maybe it's me. Or the strings, etc etc
But do guitars absorb water and become less responsive??

In my experience, yes. My guitars have always sounded best at around 30-60% RH. I've definitely noticed them sounding more restrained in higher humidity. I try to control humidity inside the case, and my heat pump does a good job of keeping humidity low in the summer.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 30 2012 12:21:53