One question I get all the time in the shop is, “How low should I go?”
Not a limbo game. We are talking about action, the gap between your strings and your frets. There is no one right answer, but there are a few things worth thinking about.
Why Calgary’s weather matters for your action
If you have lived here long enough, you already know our climate is not gentle on guitars. The best time to check your setup is during Calgary’s big weather shifts, moving from our dry winter into humid summer, or back again in the fall. Those changes can move your neck, raise or drop your action, and sneak in some fret buzz you were not expecting.
That is why a seasonal guitar setup in Calgary is one of the best things you can do for your instrument. A proper setup covers neck relief, string height, intonation and more, and it accounts for what the weather has been doing to your guitar since the last time it was dialled in.
Low action: easier to play, pickier to maintain
Low action feels fast and smooth as butter. Perfect if you are into lead playing or just want less fight from your guitar. The catch is your frets need to be level, and even small weather changes can cause buzzing. If you like your action super low, you will probably need more regular tweaks.
This is where fret levelling comes in. If your frets are not even, there is a limit to how low you can go before you start getting buzz and choke. A fret level and dress at Guitar O.R. smooths everything out so you can run that low action cleanly.
Higher action: more room, more punch
Higher action gives you space to hit harder without rattling out. Great for chords, acoustics, or players who really dig in. It is less sensitive to weather shifts, but if you go too high, chords can sound sharp and be harder to fret.
For acoustic players, action height also affects tone quite a bit. Higher action on an acoustic can give you more volume and fullness. If your acoustic action has crept up and it feels like hard work, it might be time for a setup or possibly some nut and saddle work to bring things back into a comfortable range.
Tone changes worth knowing about
Lower action tends to feel brighter and snappier. Higher action can feel fuller. You notice this a lot on acoustics but it shows up on electrics too. It is subtle but worth knowing, especially if you are chasing a certain sound.
This is one of the reasons we take the time during every guitar setup to talk to you about how you play and what you are after. A setup is not just measurements on a spec sheet. It is about getting the guitar to respond the way you want it to.
It depends on you
Your ideal action depends on your style, your guitar, and what feels right under your fingers. And it is okay if that changes over time. Do not be afraid to try a different action height or have different guitars set up differently for flexibility.
A quick way to check where you are at
Lay a business card or pick on top of the 12th fret and slide it under the low E string. If it barely fits, you have got low action. If it rattles around, it is higher. This is not exact, but it tells you roughly where things sit.
If you are between sizes, do not stress. It is just a quick check, not a full diagnosis.
Some general starting points
If you play mostly lead, go lower, but budget for more regular tweaks and possibly a fret level to keep things clean.
If you are a heavy strummer or play open chords, a touch higher avoids buzz and lets you hit harder.
If you play a mix, find a middle ground, or run slightly lower on the treble strings and slightly higher on the bass side. Some players keep different guitars set up for different jobs, which is a great approach.
When to bring it in
If you are fighting your guitar, or just curious how good it could feel, bring it by Guitar O.R. We will check your frets, tweak your neck relief, get those saddles at the perfect height, and dial the whole thing in for the way you actually play. Small tweaks can help at home, like checking your saddle height or using a capo to isolate where buzz is happening, but if you are unsure, a professional guitar setup or fret level can make a night and day difference.
We also offer complimentary tweaks for 30 days after pickup, so if you get home and decide you want things a touch higher or lower, just bring it back.
Book Your Setup or Fret Level Today
Or give us a call at 403-253-9006. You do not need an appointment. Drop by and we will take a look.
Next time we will talk about the first things to check when you have bought a new guitar.
Until then, feel free to email back any questions or give us a call.
See you in the shop,
Jarin
Guitar O.R.
P.S. If you are not sure what “good action” feels like, pop by and I can show you examples in the shop. Sometimes it is easier to feel it in your hands than to explain it in words.