[Brett89]

I just would like to know that, what does different size frets change the guitar's playability? What size of frets do you like?

And how do you like your strings, tight or floppy? And why?

And low or high action?

Thanks in advance

[eaeolian]

Big Frets, Low Action, Tight Strings.

[Toshiro]

Giant frets, heavy/tight low strings, lighter/looser high strings(definitely love hybrids, 9-46, 10-52, 11-56). 1-1.2mm @ 12fret action.

[Chris]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Big Frets, Low Action, Tight Strings.

+1

[AngelVivaldi]

Mike pretty much gave the standard setup for a lead player:
- BIG frets, (Jumbo)
- Low Action, (less effort/pressure needed to get the notes out there)

Tight strings do help keep the strings in place. When youre playing at high speeds, it's easy to fumble over floppy strings. Rhythm guitar players usually use thicker strings, (which results in tighter tension) because they help give a bit more sustain and growl. You dont want your strings all over the place when strumming.

For me.. I like to use 8 gauged strings. Most players stay in the realm of 9's, but for me 8's just feel great. The lighter the string the easier it is to bend too.

Fret sized pretty much go hand in hand with low action. Most jazz players used small/medium frets. Takes more effort to play with smaller frets. You have to apply a bit more pressure to get notes to sound out with frets like that. Hope this helps ;-)

[Drew]

Big frets, medium action, tight strings.

I went with high action because I tend to prefer higher than normal, but I like my action a little higher than the lowest it'll go without buzz so I can get under the strings to bend a bit, and because the notes really do seem to "bloom" a bit more.

[Variant]

Originally Posted by Brett89

I just would like to know that, what does different size frets change the guitar's playability? What size of frets do you like?

And how do you like your strings, tight or floppy? And why?

And low or high action?

Thanks in advance

Guitar:

Tall frets, usually extra jumbo (6100) which is both tall & wide, standard on most shredder-type axes, though the tall-and-narrow(er) 6105 that was on my Prestige Ibby was nicer to fret, hammer, and tap on, but noticeibly less smooth when bending. Personally, I use a fairly light touch, and medium gauge strings so bending the note out of heavy handedness isn't a issue.

Medium strings on the top, heavy (but most definetely not super heavy!) on the bottom... all with regards to the tuning, that is. Going too tight on the bottom (like a .52 on a low E, say) makes the tone a bit wonky, and takes too much attack out of the tone. Too high on the top sounds thin, while too heavy is just plain hard to play. When set up down a step on my 25.5" scale 7-string I preferred "skinny-top, heavy-bottom" (like my women ) .010 - .052, with a .64 on my low-A. I'm set to get an RG2228 eight string (27.0" scale) so we'll have to see what I do with that one.

Pretty low action, but not super-low (a.k.a. Satriani low). I can be fairly heavy handed with the right (picking hand) and hate buzz and fret-out. So a little action for some necessary feel, but not a whole lot.


Bass:

Big, big frets... Unfortunately most basses, tend towards medium-large as opposed to the extra-jumbo. Maybe I'll refret mine one of these days. On fretless basses, I prefer that my frets are nonexistant.

Medium strings, because if you go too heavy you tend to lose a bit of the "rumble" and, again, start to get a wonky sound. I prefer a bit lighter towards the top (note: I play 7-string Conklins) for ease of fast runs and easy chording.

Action? Low... super-insane low! Obviously this isn't an option on the low B or low F#(!), but I go pretty much as low as you can on each string... and the neck has to be STRAIGHT! I'm primarily a slap player and I play with a very light touch and expect a good, bright attack.

[The Dark Wolf]

Originally Posted by eaeolian

Big Frets, Low Action, Tight Strings.

Same here.

[nitelightboy]

I like big, tall frets, low action, and a little flop in my 7 strings and a bit more flop in my 6 strings. There's something about the sound of floppy strings (as long as they're not hanging off the neck) that I really dig.

[NecroSamist]

BIG frets LOW action, medium tightness on the strings, i like them tight, but still loose enough i can bend/vibrato the living hell out of them