Not a big problem but...

...the action on my Gretsch Setzer Signiture is a little higher than I'm used to.
Now I'm adjusting and it hasn't taken any of the pleasure out of the experience but just out of curiosity has anyone lowered the action on one of these? Would it kill the tone?

It won't kill the tone as long as you set it up and intonate and be buzz free. You may want to take it to a Luthier/ Guitar Shop to do it all right and tell him what you want. I say this only because the Bridge radius isn't matched to the fingerboard and it might not get as low as professional can get it and stay buzz free. Its also nice to get a second perspective. Maybe some Nut work and some fret dressing will get it nice, low and rippin'.

It isn't expensive but really worth a good setup. Also, check out the Gretsch forum and a guy on there makes a bridge for the mismatched radius if you are interested more PM me.

Riffs_yeah! wrote:

...the action on my Gretsch Setzer Signiture is a little higher than I'm used to.
Now I'm adjusting and it hasn't taken any of the pleasure out of the experience but just out of curiosity has anyone lowered the action on one of these? Would it kill the tone?

I think it's beyond repair...
You can sell it to me if you want to.
Let's say....$300??

hey I'll give you $700!

if you look down at the thread about hot rod bridges or just search the site for "bridges" or "setup" you will probably find most of what you need.
FWIW.. your tone, feel and dynamics will all improve by dialing in your string to fretboard
spacing via the bridge and truss rod in the neck ( go professional on the truss).. your pkup
to string height is REALLY important with filtertrons..they like to be real real close as they
are alnico bar mags inside the casing

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

hey I'll give you $700!

if you look down at the thread about hot rod bridges or just search the site for "bridges" or "setup" you will probably find most of what you need.
FWIW.. your tone, feel and dynamics will all improve by dialing in your string to fretboard
spacing via the bridge and truss rod in the neck ( go professional on the truss).. your pkup
to string height is REALLY important with filtertrons..they like to be real real close as they
are alnico bar mags inside the casing

Thanks TV. I have encountered a very skilled set-up guy which is why I started to consider fiddling with it, I really don't understand this whole bridge issue so I will search as you recommended.
And lastly, I know you are an unmatchable expert on all this but I'm pretty certain I don't have filtrons, it has TVJones pick-ups, it's the most recent Setzer model, a G6120SSU.

The action isn't very high or anything, it's just that I haven't played for years and I always used to have strat-copy Yamaha's and Ibanez's that were dialled right down to about a micron! I obviously don't expect - or want - to go really low with the Gretsch but just a little shaved off would be nice.

Thanks for all replies.

I forgot to ask. Does anyone know what sort of action Brian uses on his Gretsch's? Not that matching it is ever going to make me play like him!

Riffs_yeah! wrote:

tvthewiredturtle wrote:

hey I'll give you $700!

if you look down at the thread about hot rod bridges or just search the site for "bridges" or "setup" you will probably find most of what you need.
FWIW.. your tone, feel and dynamics will all improve by dialing in your string to fretboard
spacing via the bridge and truss rod in the neck ( go professional on the truss).. your pkup
to string height is REALLY important with filtertrons..they like to be real real close as they
are alnico bar mags inside the casing

Thanks TV. I have encountered a very skilled set-up guy which is why I started to consider fiddling with it, I really don't understand this whole bridge issue so I will search as you recommended.
And lastly, I know you are an unmatchable expert on all this but I'm pretty certain I don't have filtrons, it has TVJones pick-ups, it's the most recent Setzer model, a G6120SSU.

Oh dear! Sorry to bump this but I just realized that my TV Jones pickups ARE filtertrons!
Apologies TV, I really do need to get a clue!