Tired of reading about "high action from factory"

[StringPicker6]

I'm snowed in here in Pennsylvania with a 4 year old displaying advanced signs of cabin fever, so forgive my venting:   I am always exasperated when I read people's comments about a guitar having high action from the factory.  Just get it set up!  My opinion is that they are high on purpose and can always be lowered, but you need a new saddle or shims to raise action. 

Also, while I'm on my frozen soap box, the comment that Gibson J-45's are "hit and miss" really grinds my tuning gears also.  They need to be broken in and played! 

Ok, I'm done now.  I think I'll go outside and throw some snowballs at stop signs. (such a satisfying sound!!)   

[Silence Dogood]

Here in North Texas I'm not snowed-in but rather iced-in!

People buying a nice guitar like a Larrivee (et al) should already know about action, setups, basic adjustments to the player's liking, etc.  But someone just getting into guitar would not, but then again, those folks aren't really the demographic buying such nice instruments.  I agree that the conversation is a bit tiring, especially if someone is going to dismiss a nice guitar because of high action (one of the easiest things to fix).

As far as the J45 goes, I've had mixed experiences (never owned one but played several in shops).  I've picked up some that left me thinking, "Damn, something like this actually exists and I'm missing out on it being part of my guitar-playing life..." and then there have been some I've picked up that left me wondering why anyone would even consider buying such a mediocre guitar.  But there really have been a couple of them I've put in my hands that left me dumbfouded they were so good.

[jpmist]

I am always exasperated when I read people's comments about a guitar having high action from the factory.  Just get it set up! 

My take is factories are in a no-win situation here as they have zero control over storage conditions once a store like Sweetwater or the like take possession. My necks can move a bit during seasonal changes so I'm guessing that a factory leaving action a tad high is the lesser of two evils. It's really up to the vendor to check before delivering it to the buyer so it's really up to the buyer to pick their store wisely. Amazon will do nothing to check necks so you kind of get what you pay for.

[StringPicker6]

Yeah, that's my take as well.  It's like going into a fancy store to buy a suit or a dress.  They expect you to have it tailored to fit your exact measurements.  So if you are going to buy a gorgeous, amazing, high-end guitar (like a Larrivee!!), you should get it tailored to you. 

[William2]

I think it's a technique issue. I've owned about 15 different instruments in the last 8 years. They have all had variation in necks and action. I just didn't think about it and adjusted to the instrument. The sound was what I was interested in. I've been interested in Gibson J-45s. But with all the mixed reviews I read about them I'm not going to take a chance and get a bad one since I'd have to order a lefty instrument.

[Queequeg]

I think it's a technique issue. I've owned about 15 different instruments in the last 8 years. They have all had variation in necks and action. I just didn't think about it and adjusted to the instrument. The sound was what I was interested in. I've been interested in Gibson J-45s. But with all the mixed reviews I read about them I'm not going to take a chance and get a bad one since I'd have to order a lefty instrument.

I just didn't think about it and adjusted to the instrument.
Yes. 1000x yes.

[B0WIE]

Just my personal perspective, no judgement;

 If I get a new car, I'm probably going to have to move the seat back, adjust the wheel, and move all three mirrors. I would never think to adjust my driving style to the car. The car is made to adjust to us. Guitars made to adjust to us.

 I used to find myself always adjusting the action lower. But, my tastes and tuning have changed such that I'm now making new saddles for higher action. I'm definitely glad they are adjustable because I'd be missing out on so much if I didn't adjust them. I'd encourage everyone to find out just how nice their instrument can feel and sound by setting it up to your personal preference. Be it lower action, higher, etc.

[Queequeg]

Just my personal perspective, no judgement;

 If I get a new car, I'm probably going to have to move the seat back, adjust the wheel, and move all three mirrors. I would never think to adjust my driving style to the car. The car is made to adjust to us. Guitars made to adjust to us.

 I used to find myself always adjusting the action lower. But, my tastes and tuning have changed such that I'm now making new saddles for higher action. I'm definitely glad they are adjustable because I'd be missing out on so much if I didn't adjust them. I'd encourage everyone to find out just how nice their instrument can feel and sound by setting it up to your personal preference. Be it lower action, higher, etc.

Sure, if I drive my friend's car I'm going to do all that, but if he hands me his guitar, I won't tweak the truss rod or lower the saddle on it or just hand it back to him and say, sorry, I can't play it in its current state.
And getting it set up to your preferred specs is all well-and-good. I guess I'm just not as finicky  about it as some folks. I put the  strings I like best on it and I won't tolerate any buzzing or excessively high action. I've replaced and/or lowered the saddle a few times when it was necessary and I recently had to have a neck reset on an old Martin. But I don't obsess on it after that.
Maybe that's why I'm a rank amateur.

[BlueBowman]

Meeting a guitar half way is some SAGE advice.

I'll go one further on higher action. Yes, playability is king, but lowering that action too much can be detrimental to the overall tone and volume of the guitar. I've experienced the loss of both a couple times after being a little too liberal with my sanding. If raising the saddle is a bit much for your hands, step those strings down a gauge. Not a one size fits all, of course, but something to think about.

I agree that doing your own set-ups is an indispensable craft to learn if you're serious about having the best playing experience possible. And I've learned that many guitar techs, even some of the respected ones, are not as good at set-ups as many would think. (I know one old school luthier who thinks that neck relief should be around 0.015" at a minimum. Wish I was lying! Bluegrass country...) The tools for home set-ups have gotten super cheap too.

[unclrob]

As a tech for over 50 years every guitar needs to be setup for every play.Some like it ,some like a little high,Too each there own.

[BlueBowman]

As a tech for over 50 years every guitar needs to be setup for every play.Some like it ,some like a little high,Too each there own.

For sure. Where you end up is a personal choice. I just like to offer another view point on the "go low as possible" players. It's easy enough to try prior to going lower.

[unclrob]

I like very low action,very little relief and heavy gauge strings 14-58.Most can't play my guitar but thats how a guitar setup to be its yours.

[John Lee Pettimore]

I've owned 7 guitars.  All 7 needed at least some T-rod and saddle set up work, including intonation.  The Martin I owned for 15 years needed the correct bridge installed and some chiropractic work on its neck (full warranty). When I had gained enough knowledge and tools, four of them needed work on the nut and one of those needed a new nut and saddle.  One needed the bridge slotted and my OM-05 needed the little semi-slots in its bridge opened up a bit for the E, A so the pins would seat all the way down. In addition to nut, saddle, t-rod work.  I'm convinced the only way to buy a guitar that doesn't need at least minimal set up work is to pay for one that's already had it done.