String height (not action). Rarely discussed.

[nevusofota]

I have played (and owned) a very large number of various electrics and can only think of a few brands that I haven't. I have come to own 3 N4's and recently wondered why. What spec does an N4 have that ultimately makes it play and feel different enough to make me gravitate towards it? I used to think it was just the neck profile/size and cutaway but have since realized it wasn't. Though I do love the neck dimensions of my Davies N4 it is actually the height of the strings from the face of the body, independent of action (as I play with low action), that makes playing it extremely comfortable and gives me the feeling that I can really dig into notes and chords. My right hand feels more relaxed and doesn't have to compensate. In fact, I think it is a major reason why I love playing Les Pauls , especially without the pickguards. The N4 Stephen's Cutaway (increases height of the fret board) and the Les Paul arch top give the strings this extended height. I also own many Ibanez guitars, thinking these must be the most comfortable for me since I cut my teeth on a '90 RG770, but I've been gravitating away from them over recent years because of the low string height. My right hand no longer feels at home with the RG Ibby's because of this feature.

It's kind of frustrating now because I want to start into the custom order arena (Suhr and/or Luxxtone for example) but don't know if I will ever be completely happy because of this uncustomizable spec.

Anyone else feel the same or are there any other specs that you feel are personally important but many others don't?

 

[Shark Diver]

Most important thing to me anymore is how the guitar hangs on me and the balance. I can adjust to almost anything else, but if it isn't balanced I am just not comfortable.

 

[PeteLaramee]

I agree. The distance of the strings from the body is never talked about, but can make all the difference. I have the opposite preference as you because I do prefer the Ibanez feel and their lo profile trems recessed into the body helps to keep the strings close. I now have a hard time playing other makes because of the high strings. So many other guitars make me feel like I'm playing an archtop.

 

[thenine]

Im with Pete's preference above.

 

[dpeterson]

yep big difference between a les paul and a strat... my old san dimas jackson soloist has a pretty good neck pitch so the floyd is way off the body. I dont prefer either but there are deffinate differences.

 

[tech21man]

Buy an ibanez with archtop. I have an RGA 42 and it's exactly that with a fixed bridge. Every time I go back to a les paul it feels like a heavy boot vs a great athletic shoe (lp).

 

[LP Freak]

The string height off the body can be adjusted on bolt-ons by shimming the neck.

 

[ras1988]

This was a major problem for me on my PRS hollowbody when I first got it. It's a set neck guitar with a single piece wrap around bridge/tailpiece so there is no way around it. I had been playing strat/trem guitars including a CU24 prior to this and it was a hindrance at first. It was just a matter of rethinking how I anchor my arm and pivot on my wrist while playing. I play differently on it and have a bit more of the classical/down turned wrist while playing. It just takes a bit of thought and deconstructing of your technique to get used to this. It would be totally boring if every guitar you owned felt and played (and in turn made you play) the same.

 

[nevusofota]

Buy an ibanez with archtop. I have an RGA 42 and it's exactly that with a fixed bridge. Every time I go back to a les paul it feels like a heavy boot vs a great athletic shoe (lp).

Already have one. I bought an RGA121 a few years ago and really dig it.

 

[nevusofota]

The string height off the body can be adjusted on bolt-ons by shimming the neck.

I was under the impression that shimming the neck pocket is only for small adjustments. Wouldn't the large amount of height that would be needed to raise the strings of a super-strat to match a Les Paul cause stability issues? In addition, there probably wouldn't be enough screw length to raise the pickup to the appropriate height.

 

[Qweklain]

This is why I can't play ToM bridges that are not recessed. If the string height is too far from the body, it's just uncomfortable and more difficult to play for me.

 

[lettmusic]

great topic, and you're right, never talked about. It all has to do with your picking technique and which string height suits your right hand picking the best. That's why one could pick easier on certain guitars compare to others.

 

[nevusofota]

great topic, and you're right, never talked about. It all has to do with your picking technique and which string height suits your right hand picking the best. That's why one could pick easier on certain guitars compare to others.

Yes, I totally agree on all points, it's all about picking/strumming technique. I feel that for heavy/full strumming increased string height works much better for me because my right hand feels less confined.

It's amazing how so many obsess over micrometers in neck profiles but no one brings up or ask builders about string height. I think string height should be a standard measurement on spec sheets.

 

[Qweklain]

great topic, and you're right, never talked about. It all has to do with your picking technique and which string height suits your right hand picking the best. That's why one could pick easier on certain guitars compare to others.

Yes, I totally agree on all points, it's all about picking/strumming technique. I feel that for heavy/full strumming increased string height works much better for me because my right hand feels less confined.

It's amazing how so many obsess over micrometers in neck profiles but no one brings up or ask builders about string height. I think string height should be a standard measurement on spec sheets.

I think people don't ask the builders because most know what it's going to be. A recessed Floyd is going to be the same across the board, a non-recessed Floyd is going to be the same, ToM, Hipshot, etc. If you've played one before, you know what the height will be on others using that same bridge.

 

[nevusofota]

great topic, and you're right, never talked about. It all has to do with your picking technique and which string height suits your right hand picking the best. That's why one could pick easier on certain guitars compare to others.

Yes, I totally agree on all points, it's all about picking/strumming technique. I feel that for heavy/full strumming increased string height works much better for me because my right hand feels less confined.

It's amazing how so many obsess over micrometers in neck profiles but no one brings up or ask builders about string height. I think string height should be a standard measurement on spec sheets.

I think people don't ask the builders because most know what it's going to be. A recessed Floyd is going to be the same across the board, a non-recessed Floyd is going to be the same, ToM, Hipshot, etc. If you've played one before, you know what the height will be on others using that same bridge.

I disagree. As stated previously, the N4 has a FR and string height is significantly higher than my other FR guitars, especially the Ibanez. The neck pocket along with the thickness of the fretboard has a lot to do with it, not necessarily the bridge.

 

[Lance-a-not]

I am in the camp with TOM bridge, not even a preference though it is a physical necessity for me.
I have experimented a bunch over the years and if I play anything like a Tele, Ibanez or Strat where the string height isn't enough it makes my right hand swell and ache over a few days... It is the reason I got rid of my last Grosh Electrajet, amazing guitar, but I couldn't play it without pain

 

[rottingcorpse]

If you play the same model/setup on a bunch of guitars, that's what you will be used to. I like lots of room under my pick hand so I can dig in, so I like my pickup lower than most. But I like a recessed Floyd, so the strings are closer to the body. Give and take.

Too much distance between the strings and the body, and I get "Scott Ian" fingers....all beat to hell from getting excited and pounding on the down stroke.