Originally Posted by: ChristopherSchlegel

Originally Posted by: andrewlross87

For the past year I've been practicing on an off with my Strat and I always struggled with barre chords. This past year, my wife bought me a Martin and I can now finger barre chords with relative ease. Why is it so difficult on my Strat? Is the action too high?

[p]Hey, Andrew.

That's absolutely possible. It could be the nut slots are not cut deep enough, or the bridge saddles are too high. The neck could also be a culprit if it has too much of a curve.

If you aren't comfortable with assessing or adjusting it yourself, then I encourage you to take your guitar to a local music store & ask them to have a look at it. Or just go to the store to compare for yourself how the action is on some of their Strat style guitars.

Hope this helps!

I took your advice and took my Strat to a local shop and it plays like a gem now.

Thanks!