Action (music)

The term string action (english action) referred to in stringed instruments - especially when plucked instruments such as guitars, mandolins and banjos - the distance between the individual strings to the frets or fretless instruments at the fretboard. High string prevents any rattling or buzzing of the strings on the fingerboard or fret, however, complicates the playability because the gripping hand has to exert more pressure on the strings to achieve a precise intonation; conversely usually facilitates a low action the playability of the instrument.

The string action is already set up for the construction of the instruments through a precise alignment of the height of the saddle and saddle notches and the height of the web. For instruments with fixed bridge - such as classical guitars - requires a change in the string height is often the exchange of saddle and / or saddle. The string action in modern electric guitars and electric basses, however, can be set individually by both an adjustable metal rod in the neck ( Truss Rod ) as well as by means of an adjustable screw bridge. Many electric guitars and basses webs or bridges (a combination of bridge and tailpiece ) with individually adjustable saddles, which at fingerboards with convex shaped profile is particularly advantageous.

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