Action and bending

[papabear16]

I had my 20-year-old Epiphone Les Paul set up by a pro a while ago, and the action seems pretty close to factory specs. The action feels pretty low and fast to play up the neck. But I'm experiencing a problem, and I wonder if it's a sign I need to raise the action a bit. Before I mess with what otherwise seems like a great setup, though, I thought I'd check in here.

The problem is this. When I bend the first or second string in the middle of the neck (say, frets 5 to 10), I very often end up catching and half-fretting the string above it, yielding a terrible sound. I rarely have this problem above the 12th fret (and when I do, it's because of poor technique). And I don't really have this problem on the third string. I also notice that I don't have this problem when playing my Strat or Tele. The Strat and Tele both have higher action, which is what makes me think I should try raising the bridge on my Les Paul, at least on the treble side, to see how it feels and if the problem goes away.

Before I muck up this setup, though, have any of you encountered this issue, and am I on the right track?

 

[corpse]

The difference between the three guitars is the radius of the neck. I prefer slightly higher action And I believe this will fix that problem.
I would take a few minutes and check the intonation after you do this FWIW.

 

[charliechitlins]

I like my action a little high for bending.
I also leave my nails a little long so I can hook it under the adjacent strings and bend underneath them.
Less wear and tear/strain on the fingers.
It's a habit I picked up when gigging 150 nights a year.
But the short answer is...it takes about a minute to raise your action...try it.

 

[papabear16]

Then I think I'll give it a shot. And I'll be sure to check intonation and adjust the pickups as necessary, too, of course. Thanks!

 

[Enlarscom]

I had my 20-year-old Epiphone Les Paul set up by a pro a while ago, and the action seems pretty close to factory specs. The action feels pretty low and fast to play up the neck. But I'm experiencing a problem, and I wonder if it's a sign I need to raise the action a bit. Before I mess with what otherwise seems like a great setup, though, I thought I'd check in here.

The problem is this. When I bend the first or second string in the middle of the neck (say, frets 5 to 10), I very often end up catching and half-fretting the string above it, yielding a terrible sound. I rarely have this problem above the 12th fret (and when I do, it's because of poor technique). And I don't really have this problem on the third string. I also notice that I don't have this problem when playing my Strat or Tele. The Strat and Tele both have higher action, which is what makes me think I should try raising the bridge on my Les Paul, at least on the treble side, to see how it feels and if the problem goes away.

Before I muck up this setup, though, have any of you encountered this issue, and am I on the right track?

Yes

 

[papabear16]

I raised the action by raising the bridge. It has helped, but hasn't quite solved the problem. I still feel like I have to be very careful bending the first and second string—more the first string—in the middle of the neck to avoid grabbing the second string, too. The action is noticeably higher, especially above the 12th fret, but I don't mind that, really.

I'll let it set for a week and play it a bunch, and then maybe raise it more next weekend. There's probably a technique issue that I need to fix, too, but it's interesting to me that I don't run into this problem with my Tele or Strat.

 

[Bob Womack]

I'll let it set for a week and play it a bunch, and then maybe raise it more next weekend. There's probably a technique issue that I need to fix, too, but it's interesting to me that I don't run into this problem with my Tele or Strat.

There are lots of variables here: neck width and string spacing, fingerboard radius, and especially fret height. Older Epis came with medium frets that often had been taken down a bit in order to get them leveled. Some newer Fenders, particularly Am. Standards, have come with medium jumbo frets. With a taller fret you don't have to put as much pressure on the string. In fact, you can't put on too much pressure or the string will be pulled sharp. You might want to get a fine metal machinist's ruler or a caliper

and compare the fret heights between the guitars. If the frets are significantly lower on the Epi you could be looking at the problem.

Bob

 

[papabear16]

There are lots of variables here: neck width and string spacing, fingerboard radius, and especially fret height. Older Epis came with medium frets that often had been taken down a bit in order to get them leveled. Some newer Fenders, particularly Am. Standards, have come with medium jumbo frets. With a taller fret you don't have to put as much pressure on the string. In fact, you can't put on too much pressure or the string will be pulled sharp. You might want to get a fine metal machinist's ruler or a caliper

and compare the fret heights between the guitars. If the frets are significantly lower on the Epi you could be looking at the problem.

Bob

Bob, that could make a world of sense. I'll give it a look!

 

[papabear16]

There are lots of variables here: neck width and string spacing, fingerboard radius, and especially fret height. Older Epis came with medium frets that often had been taken down a bit in order to get them leveled. Some newer Fenders, particularly Am. Standards, have come with medium jumbo frets. With a taller fret you don't have to put as much pressure on the string. In fact, you can't put on too much pressure or the string will be pulled sharp. You might want to get a fine metal machinist's ruler or a caliper

and compare the fret heights between the guitars. If the frets are significantly lower on the Epi you could be looking at the problem.

Bob

The Epi's frets are definitely lower, and particularly on the high strings in the area of the 5th through 8th frets—precisely where I'm having the problem. So what's the solution? I'd rather not have the guitar refretted if only because of the cost.

 

[Bob Womack]

The Epi's frets are definitely lower, and particularly on the high strings in the area of the 5th through 8th frets—precisely where I'm having the problem. So what's the solution? I'd rather not have the guitar refretted if only because of the cost.

I hated the idea as well, but I was extremely pleased with the results when I had my Les Paul re-fretted after twenty years. I eventually was given a lovely 2005 ES-335 with jumbo frets and discovered that I loved them because they made bending so easy.

Bob

 

[papabear16]

I hated the idea as well, but I was extremely pleased with the results when I had my Les Paul re-fretted after twenty years. I eventually was given a lovely 2005 ES-335 with jumbo frets and discovered that I loved them because they made bending so easy.

Bob

Grrrr. It's hard to think that I'm due—the Epi is 20 years old, but I'm a home player and played mostly acoustic for a lot of that time, so it's not from wear. But it's always been tougher to bend on, and after having some fret-leveling done, I think it went a little too far.

Granted, spending $200 to $400—just based on a quick internet search, not local quotes—feels rough on a guitar I bought for about $500, but I do like the instrument and will like it a lot more once it's easier to play.

Food for thought, I guess. Easier bending would do wonders here.

 

[charliechitlins]

There can be a sweet spot where heavier strings makes playing easier because they keep your fingers a bit further from the wood.
Try bumping up a gauge or 2.
Where do you live?

 

[Jay T]

Funny that you mention that because no one ever seems to talk about it and a lot of times i will bend the g string up, and the d string will get caught inside my fingernail. SOOO AGRIVATING, LOL