I seldom buy new guitars, I just don't like to pay new guitar prices. But every once in a while I do. A few years back I bought a new Martin D 28 and a few months back a new Guild F 250 CE. Both actually nice guitars but they had something in common I just didn't understand. The saddle height was really tall and the Low E string height at the 12th fret was about 7/64". I don't often play up the fingerboard so it didn't bother me too much and I never minded high action. I didn't mind working at it and I think you can actually get a better sound that way.
But, as I've aged I've found that I like the Low E string height to be no higher than 3/32" and no lower than 5/64". I finally broke down and had the F 250 CE set up to that height and it plays like a dream. I'll tell ya, the F 250 CE is a lot of guitar for the money. I haven't tried the electronics yet but I didn't buy it for that reason anyway although I plan to play it at open mic tomorrow night.
Anyway, I just got to wondering if Martin and Guild are/were unique with the higher action right out of the box or if I just got a couple of strange actions on my guitars. I don't think I've ever bought another brand new but I'm just curious if others have experienced the same thing.
But, as I've aged I've found that I like the Low E string height to be no higher than 3/32" and no lower than 5/64". I finally broke down and had the F 250 CE set up to that height and it plays like a dream. I'll tell ya, the F 250 CE is a lot of guitar for the money. I haven't tried the electronics yet but I didn't buy it for that reason anyway although I plan to play it at open mic tomorrow night.
Anyway, I just got to wondering if Martin and Guild are/were unique with the higher action right out of the box or if I just got a couple of strange actions on my guitars. I don't think I've ever bought another brand new but I'm just curious if others have experienced the same thing.