|
|
Guitar Discussions -> Problem with action
There are 5 messages in this thread.
You are currently looking at messages 1 to 5.
|
|
|
I have a problem with my acoustic guitar. Basically, it takes (what
seems to me) an inordinate amount of pressure to fret the notes, though
the action is pretty low. Why would this happen? Could it be because
of the string gauge (they're pretty thick strings)?
Another (unrelated) problem that I have is that my alternate picking
speed varies with the string. I can't pick fast at all on any of the
bass strings, but when I come to the top strings my speed improves
almost exponentially. Do any of you guys have the same problem? What
can I do (apart from practice, which I do religiously every day) to
make this problem go away?
RK.
|
|
|
|
Re: Problem with action - Cyberserf - 09:58 07-12-05
|
|
brrk.3001@gmail.com wrote:
> I have a problem with my acoustic guitar. Basically, it takes (what
> seems to me) an inordinate amount of pressure to fret the notes, though
> the action is pretty low. Why would this happen? Could it be because
> of the string gauge (they're pretty thick strings)?
Yes.
>
> Another (unrelated) problem that I have is that my alternate picking
> speed varies with the string. I can't pick fast at all on any of the
> bass strings, but when I come to the top strings my speed improves
> almost exponentially. Do any of you guys have the same problem?
Yes.
> What can I do (apart from practice, which I do religiously every day) to
> make this problem go away?
Nothing.
Seriously, switch to a lighter gauge...it could also be that your
strings are dead and need to be replaced anyway. If your action is
acceptable at the 12th fret (~5/32" bass to 3/32 treble), and you still
have fretting problems, you may look into the health of the frets
themselves. If in doubt, find a good tech to set it up for you...maybe
a polish will do the trick...Regardless, getting it well set up will
give you something to shoot for when you get to making your own
adjustments. As for picking: Practice what you want to do slowly, but
accurately. Don't settle for sloppy right (or left hand) technique. Be
clean at a slow tempo and get it going faster gradually, but not at the
cost of a nice clean tone. Even technique across and over strings comes
with time and practice. Try doing some string skipping exercises to get
a little muscle memory instilled into your picking hand...it's still
practice though, and that's the only short cut that's guaranteed to
work.
Cheers, CS
|
|
|
|
Re: Problem with action - The Chris - 10:24 07-12-05
|
|
brrk.3001@gmail.com wrote in news:1133965124.903052.114270
@g49g2000cwa.googlegroups.com:
> I have a problem with my acoustic guitar. Basically, it takes (what
> seems to me) an inordinate amount of pressure to fret the notes, though
> the action is pretty low. Why would this happen? Could it be because
> of the string gauge (they're pretty thick strings)?
>
> Another (unrelated) problem that I have is that my alternate picking
> speed varies with the string. I can't pick fast at all on any of the
> bass strings, but when I come to the top strings my speed improves
> almost exponentially. Do any of you guys have the same problem? What
> can I do (apart from practice, which I do religiously every day) to
> make this problem go away?
>
> RK.
>
>
String gauge is a big deal. I've gone from putting 10's on my acoustic
(pure acoustic shred) to more traditional 'acoustic' strings that I can
barely squeeze out a solo.
As for alternate picking, I've learned to use very heavy guage picks -
like 1.14mm - you don't want any play with picks. But, that's strictly
for picking technique - it's hard to get those strummy acoustic sounds
with them.
|
|
|
|
Re: Problem with action - Dope mcSmoke - 11:29 07-12-05
|
|
Cyberserf wrote:
> themselves. If in doubt, find a good tech to set it up for you...maybe
> a polish will do the trick...
Why wouldn't a local tech do?
|
|
|
|
|
Re: Problem with action -
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
|