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Why do some players prefer slightly higher string action? It always seemed to me the lower the better so long as youhave no string buzz, but I've heard that some players prefer a slightly higher action. What is the purpose of this? Thanks, Danny

Machismo.
Or, some people like chocolate, some like vanilla. It's personal preference. But, if you are a heavy strummer, you will get buzzing with "normal" action, so you would want it higher so when you beat on it, it won't buzz.

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http://www.CostaGuitars.com
PMoMC

Slight changes in action height can make big changes in tone and volume. If you can stand the cheese grater and don't rip the bridge off, some guitars will sound better with high actions.

Some players who do a lot of string bending will like the action a bit higher so the other strings get moved out of the way as opposed to sliding under their finger during a bend.

Different strokes for different folks....

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"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Some folks play harder then others.....!
Tom

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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything!!!

it is easier to mute chords with higher action- you just very slightly relax the fret hand and the strings are off the board....

I set up most of the gear in my band. our front man likes really low action, and I understand why, but he always complains when he plays my guitars because the action is "too high." as if I don't know how to fix it on my own guitar even though I always have his set up perfectly.
Anyway, Yes that is exactly the reason for me. I play lots of bendy rock/blues leads and if I play on a guitar with low action the string I am bending tends to slip out from under my finger and I lose it. If the action is a bit higher it gives just the right amount of resistance to keep it where it needs to be.

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PMoMC

High action also facilitates Freddie Green style comping--where you're holding down one or two strings, and left hand damping the rest.

I like higher action on my personal guitars. I use a heavy pick when I strum but I like the ( at least the appearance of ) louder volume with a slightly higher action. Action changes noticeably where I live between winter and summer due to humidity changes

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Under Compensated Nut!

Hammer ons, pull offs, and HOPOs don't sound as good if the action is too low.