View Full Version : action?
Being one of the very few mandolinists around where I'm at, I've started to get curious as to whether the action I've got is relatively high or low. What do you guys use, and what type of music do you play and in what context (electric/acoustic)?
mandoman4807
Jun-12-2004, 1:37pm
4/64ths on the G, and 3/64ths on the E. Measurements taken at the 12th fret.
Music played, Texas fiddle tunes and Bluegrass.
Darrell
bluegrassjack2
Jun-12-2004, 1:59pm
What do you use for a measurement tool???
Thanks
mandoman4807
Jun-12-2004, 2:42pm
A device called "the string action gauge", purchased at Stewart MacDonald. stewmac.com
Darrell
Dfyngravity
Jun-12-2004, 7:23pm
around 1.5/16 at the 12th fret on the G so the D and A are around 1/16.
mandoJeremy
Jun-12-2004, 9:16pm
6/64 on the G and 4/64 on the E at the 12th fret which is actually the lowest action I have ever used. It used to be about 7.5/64 on the G and 6/64 on the E.
6/64" = 3/32"
4/64" = 1/16"
Most of my instruments go out the door set up like this:
A 6" steel rule graduated in 32nds and 64ths is slipped between pairs on the G and E at the 12th fret. The G is set at 1/16+ (can see the line), and the E is set at 1/16 (can't see the line). #It's a pretty good starting point. Seems to work out for all but the heavy handed.
Hans.
mandoJeremy
Jun-13-2004, 9:12am
Thanks Dale for the lesson in measurements but I am going by what Gibson said when they set my Bush model up and they did say 64ths!
evanreilly
Jun-13-2004, 6:51pm
I use a thin steel ruler & measure from the top of the 12th fret to the underside of the strings...
G = 7/64ths
E = 5/64ths
Well, if #"Gibson" says 6/64" then I definitely wouldn't use 3/32".............. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/rock.gif ...... http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
mandoJeremy
Jun-14-2004, 1:30am
Whatever! #Go chase JimW around Dale. #You bore me!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif Of course you might want to teach all of us that posted how to measure since we all speak in 64ths.
Actually, I found 7.5/64" your most interesting dimension. Your amazing eyesight aside, could you convert that into a decimal equivilent for me ?............
I think I like Hans method the best!
Hey Dale,
I used to go about 4 of those little itty bitty lines and add a half of one of those little itty bitties on the G, and do 4 of those little itty bitty lines on the E, but I just got tired of counting little itty bitties! # # #
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/coffee.gif
Hans.
mandoJeremy
Jun-14-2004, 5:31am
Dale, I was actually guessing on what my action used to be when it was higher than it is now. I would guess between 7/64 and 8/64 and that is probably how I should have stated it for the people that require exact measurement. I have actually only measured my action once in my lifetime because I had more important things to worry about, namely playing the mandolin!
Now that we have gotten all the high math & exact dimensions out of the way......each mando & player are different & require different action heights. 1/16" at the 12th on the G is a good starting place with most players (or mandos) requiring closer to 3/32" & the E close to 1/16" (just as Hans said)........There, that wasn't so hard now was it!
elenbrandt
Jun-14-2004, 9:46am
Now I know why men are generally better at car maintenance and lawn care (they are out there just measuring away on the gears and the grass....) http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Dale, why are you chasing me again? I have really thinned my Gibson herd down a bit, only having the F9 left. I've even ordered a custom built Mandolin and it's not a Gibson. So quit chasing me before I get my ruler out.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Jim
Elen, only a man would argue over .5/64 of an inch.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Jim
MandoCowboy
Jun-14-2004, 9:53am
For a gauge I use a drill bit of the size that your wanting for your gap. By one at any auto parts/hardware store and store it in your case. Makes for an easy measurement tool.
MandoCowboy
Jim, are you & MandoJeremy related by any chance? # #http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
BTW...... .5/64" would be 1/128"............ & MandoJeremy can SEE that. I hope he has signed an organ donor card, be a shame to let eyes like that go to waste!
mandoJeremy
Jun-14-2004, 11:01am
I will send my eyes to you Dale. There again, I could care less about action. I like mine, Gibson says it is 6/64 & 4/64, and I just play the thing. All I did was answer the question at the first of the post and don't need someone from Texas (can you guys actually read there?)to correct me on some kind of stupid mathematics. I am done with this one. Also, maybe Jim and I are related. Can I have that Loar now Uncle Jim?http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Jeremy I'll post a picture of various measuring "thangs" we use in Texas. I included a Golden Gate pic in the photo so that...
#1 #You would see something you'd recognize......
#2 #To give you a look at a scale other than major or minor.
In this photo you will see a 8" dial caliper (the big thang with the dial), a 6" machinist's scale (the little ruler), a thickness gauge (kinda looks like a metal ladies folding fan) & the Golden Gate pick I feel certain you recognize......I hope this helps.
Albert Whiting
Jun-14-2004, 12:23pm
i wonder what chris thile's action is set at. maybe lynn or the guys at gibson could answer that one.
Scotti Adams
Jun-14-2004, 1:10pm
..hey down in front..and pass the jelly bellies and popcorn...this is gettin good...'course we all know things are bigger in Texas....sorry Dale..I couldnt resist.. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/cool.gif http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif
Scotti Adams
Jun-14-2004, 1:12pm
..the topic of this thread is "Action"...and thats what we have here...
Now, I don't have a dog in this race, except Jeremy told Dale to start chasing me again, so I'm running down on the front row to get some beer and popcorn and watch this unfold.
dave waite
Jun-14-2004, 2:27pm
I can't read a ruler so I set mine so that:
A) I like the way it feels
B) It frets clearly, with no buzzes.
Mine is probably lower than the typical bluegrasser's but I am noticing a trend away from the traditional high action, probably due to the fact that more people are playing up the neck these days.
It seems to me that setting an instrument to someone elses specs is not only ignoring the personal preference factor, but also the difference in instruments.
Scotti Adams
Jun-15-2004, 1:20pm
..hmmm...I guess this is where he credits start rolling..
Darin&Bea
Jun-15-2004, 2:13pm
Yanno, glad I saw this thread, too. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif It helps with the problem I am having in my 'weak fingers' thread. At least I'm intelligent enough to put two and two together! (1/128th?! Even MY eyes aren't that good! Hee!)
mandoJeremy
Jun-15-2004, 3:32pm
Well, I am strong enough to not have "weak fingers"!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif