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Posted by: ElHombre Dec 30 2011, 07:26 PM

Greetings

Recently, I made some adjustments to my guitar, Ibanez RG 2570 Premium I think (goldgreen)
Well, I lowered the strings, since I thought it would be much more comfortable playing with low strings. Well the thicker strings feel more comfortable, tapping is easier but still its hard to say if i really is better.

Anyway I lowered the pickups since I had lowered the strings. But still, I can't do these harmonics anymore, can barely hear them. On all strings.

My Fender is very easy to do this on, the sound loud and clear without any distortion.

I guess every guitar has unique placements of the harmonics, I know that, I can find the postions but you can barely hear the harmonics, they die out very quick.

What might be the problem?

Posted by: Daniel Realpe Dec 30 2011, 07:46 PM

low action means less sustain for harmonics, maybe that's the problem.

Try increasing the height a bit

Posted by: ElHombre Dec 30 2011, 07:49 PM

Yes I thought that was the case, thanks. But I dont know, isn't it much easier to play fast with lower strings? I mean, you have a shorter way to go when pressing down the string, it should be easier to synchronize left and right hand.

Posted by: Alex Feather Dec 31 2011, 02:54 AM

Maybe you just have to get used to a little higher action.

Posted by: Ivan Milenkovic Dec 31 2011, 12:33 PM

Each guitar has it's unique action range that is usable. You should find correct balance that you prefer as a player of your guitar. If you own a guitar, and know it's action range, and you know how you play, then you should make a decision about the setup.

Spend some time with your guitar, play all the notes, see if any note is buzzing, having different tone, or sustain then another (preferably, on a quality instrument, all notes on all frets should sound very similar in terms of quality of tone and sustain)

In general, playing "fast" doesn't require super low action, as you won't "save your time" by lowering the strings to frets for a fraction of an inch, you will save your time by practicing on slow tempos, and making your fingers work properly.

I think you should try to raise the pickups a bit, search for PH sweet spot above the pickups, and get to know your new guitar. Raise the action a bit, and see if that works for you. You should find the balance with your instrument, it's made to be adjusted. Some players will raise the action quite a bit to remove buzzing and play aggressive chords. If you play softer but faster, like to do tappings and PHs, keep the action low as possible, but in the area where it will enable you to do everything you like on the instrument.