Whats your String Height preference (G Strings)

[kmfriday7795]

Whats your string height preference on the G Strings at the 12th fret for a good bluegrass chop and low end. While maintaining excellent playability. New to mandolin setup. Thanks

[sunburst]

For Bluegrassers I usually set the action at 1/16" from 12th fret to bottom of E-string and 3/32" from 12th fret to bottom of G-string. Very few players like their action higher than that and many prefer it lower, but it seems to be a good starting point for players who chop and play loudly.
(I can't think in 64ths. I don't know who started the whole thing of stating action height in 64th of an inch, but it's too much mental arithmetic for me.)

[rcc56]

I use 5/64" [or just under 3/32"] for the G's, and 4/64" [1/16"] for the E's for aggressive players.
I go a bit lower for players with a lighter touch.

John, I can't speak for anyone else, but I use 64ths because that's the way the handy little 6" stainless pocket rule that I use so much is graduated. $5 at Ace Hardware and worth every cent.

I keep two of them in case one goes AWOL. At the moment, one is indeed missing. It's not in the teaching area, so that means it's time to spend a couple of hours cleaning the shop.

[Hendrik Ahrend]

1/16" (+) for all strings.

[Rob Roy]

Just low enough to hold a CT55 between the strings and 12th fret. But then, I'm not a heavy chopper.

[gfury]

I've been using thickness of my Golden gate X-Stiff (MP-10) pick to set my string height lately. It seems to be a good height and I always have one with me.

[pops1]

I guess it depends on how loud your mandolin is and how much sound you are competing with. I play with a solid attack, but not hard, and can be heard in a jam. My action is just able to see the 1/32 line on the E and for John 1.5/32 (3/64) on the G. It's not for everyone, but it's where I like it.

[lowtone2]

All y'all are citing dimensions at the 12th fret with the string stopped on the first fret?

[pops1]

All y'all are citing dimensions at the 12th fret with the string stopped on the first fret?

Dimensions at the 12th fret with the string unfretted. My first fret height is very low so it won't make much of a difference.

[Eric Platt]

About 1/16" on the G and just a hair lower on the E. Could probably lower it a touch more.

That's on the Brentrup with EJ-73 lights.

[sunburst]

FWIW, when doing a set up, I set the string height at the nut first to avoid the minor effect it has on string height at the 12th, but unless the nut height is way out of line it has little effect on the 12th-fret string height, so it is not essential that the nut be adjusted first when adjusting action on an instrument that it playing well.

(Also, the reason for measuring at the 12 is for convenience. To change the 12th fret height we simply double the measurement of the change needed and double it at the bridge. For example, if we want the string 1/64" lower at the 12th fret we lower it 1/32" at the bridge.)

[Mark Seale]

5/64ths on the G side, 4/64ths on the E.

[milli857]

I've been happy with 0.06" (4/64) on G and 0.05" (3.5/64) on E.

[lowtone2]

I'm not interested in a philosophical discussion, just trying to get a feel for how everyone is measuring their action. Which is different depending on whether you measure from the nut or the first fret, even if the nut is well-adjusted. It might be a small difference, but it's a difference.

[Charlie Bernstein]

High enough for my feet to reach my shoes and my head to reach my hat.

[Charlie Bernstein]

I'm not interested in a philosophical discussion, just trying to get a feel for how everyone is measuring their action. Which is different depending on whether you measure from the nut or the first fret, even if the nut is well-adjusted. It might be a small difference, but it's a difference.

I've never measured my action. Probably don't have anything to measure it with.

But my mandos have all played nicely once they were set up.

[slickmando]

As low as I can get without encountering fret buzz

[Mark Gunter]

As low as I can get without encountering fret buzz

Same answer. I lower the nut slots such that the strings travel down from the nut height to first fret about the same distance as required to travel from first fret height down to second fret.

I lower the bridge height as low as possible avoiding buzz

[Bazz Jass]

I try for .06" to .05" on my F4. That's around 4/64 to 3.5/64 for those who use the fractions.

I only play at home, so this works well for me. I don't really have to dig in too hard. Humidity can change the action marginally but noticeably under the fingers. Amazing how much difference a 100th of an inch at the 12th fret can make to playability in the 1st to 5th frets!

[Charles E.]

2.5mm.

[Simon DS]

4/64, about 1.7 mm or a tiny bit larger than a 5 euro cent coin for the G string on my octave mandolin.
Yup, I like it on the low side.