franko48 - Posted - 12/15/2020:  06:56:22

Can any of you Clawhammer players give me an idea as to your best low action height that you have measured at the last fret on your instrument that still gives good tone? I know since at present with adjustments to my truss rod and coordinator rod mine measures 1/8" at that location and figure if I want it lower I would probably sand down the bridge a little. Thanks for any advice.

Culloden - Posted - 12/15/2020:  08:26:16

Does your banjo have all 22 frets or does it have a scoop? 1/8" at the 22nd fret is about the same height that bluegrass banjos are set up. You should not need the action any lower. If it has a scoop and your last fret is at 17 or so then the action might be a little high.

The Old Timer - Posted - 12/15/2020:  09:24:35

For bluegrass players, action height of 1/8" at the TWELFTH fret is almost the universal standard. If you're 1/8" at the 22nd fret, even a bluegrass player would call that low!

In general, I feel that clawhammer does well with HIGHER action than bluegrass, so you can get your thumb "under" the strings, and not have string rattle on the frets. Just my opinion.

My 1920 Vega Senator is very comfortable for me with 3/16" action at the 12th fret. With a 5/8" bridge.

If you want lower action, it's always best to start with a shorter bridge. In case you find you don't like it you can always go back to the bridge you used earlier. Sanding down your bridge might mean you end up unhappy with it, but you can't go back because you've permanently altered it. It's also better to try a shorter bridge first rather than crank on truss rods and coord. rods.

Bridges come in 1/2", 5/8", 11/16", 3/4" and a few decimal "in-betweeners".

paco0909 - Posted - 12/15/2020:  10:09:45

I agree with Dick. Just try. To do an ASPO with low action. Really tough to do!

Culloden - Posted - 12/15/2020:  11:07:22

Dick is right. I went back and measured the string height on my banjos and they are about 1/8" at the 17th fret. That may be lower than what is acceptable but it suits me. And my strings don't rattle.

Bart Veerman - Posted - 12/15/2020:  11:23:03

Before sanding down your bridge, here's a fun experiment to find out the best height for your banjo and your fingers without the risk of butchering your current brdige:

banjobridge.com/sizingabridge.htm

franko48 - Posted - 12/16/2020:  08:13:30

Thanks guys for all the great advice. I greatly appreciate it. Yes, this banjo has 22 frets and measures 1/8" at that point. If I do any adjustments I will follow the advice given and just change out the bridge. I just checked this bridge and it ends up a little over 5/8" at .654". I will have to look around for a 1/2" bridge if I do anything. Before I do that I would like t know what height do you guys have on the strings at the 1st fret? Then I will know if I have to lower those at the nut slots.

jfhascall - Posted - 12/17/2020:  21:00:37

My standard for the string height at the nut is determined by fretting the string between the second and third fret and having just a little clearance of the string over the first fret. Say .010" or maybe a little less. This keeps buzzing on the uphill side from happening and is pretty consistently good action.