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Ok, Look at this pic (I can't measure it right now because it's in the shop) and can you tell me if my bridge is set too high?? I brought it in for a setup, and the guy made a comment about it being up, and I told him I wish to keep it floating and that I had a block for it to keep it at a consistant height...but could it be too big?? HELP!!
thanks for any help in advance.

Definitely way too high!

Looks are deciving. You have to actually measure the string height at either the 12th or 17th fret depending on the manufacturer of your guitar. It also depends on what kind of frets you have. If they are of the vintage type, you may have to set them higher. From the look of the pic, it does seem to be on the high side. But still, get the specs from your guitar manufacturer and measure 'em. People usually like to set the strings low because they want faster action, but it is up to you to decide whether you want to set the strings lower than the manufacturer's recommendations to fit your playing style.

at least you can pull up on the trem too though. haha

I want to pull the trem up..hence the floating, it's in for its first set-up since I got it (used) and the neck was like a ****ing bannana.

OK, I'll have to ask the guy if he can bring it down a bit....meh, I'll prob do it myself, I have all the time in the world, and It'll be good experience.

I think what happened is the guy who had it before me (wasn't experienced with this stuff at all) put on new strings before he sold it, and he put on thcker ones so it shot up the bridge (3 springs) and bent the neck. I made a block and told the guy at the shop to keep it that height...so I'll have to call now or do it myself.

And yes, those are vintage-sized frets.

The shop guy wil most likely be adding more spring(s) since I'm getting 10-52's put on (for some more chunk)...do you guys think I should try it myself (bringing it fown a bit??) or call him and tell him to bring it down a bit?? And If I bring it down a bit using the quot;claw screwsquot; on the back...will it lower the action or raise it??

It's not that difficult. You should be able to do it by yourself. Just get the specs and procedure from the manufacturer and follow the instructions. if it is a Fender, you can get the procedures from Mr. Gearhead. Doing it yourself will enable you to understand intonation better and you can fit it more to your playing style.

Not only is the rear too high, but the thing badly needs intonation. It looks like he adjusted the saddles so that they are all in a line, which is NOT the way to do it.

Screw in the spring claw so that the bridge is parallel with the body, or, if you want to be able to pull up a bunch, at least drop the bridge height by half (so that it is in between parallel and the current settings). You'll then have to raise the saddles back up, but that will be a bonus, as the saddles heigh adjustment screws might not stick out and dig into your hand any more.

Yeah dude the bridge is way too high i must agree.
i might get crap for this but, if you want to improve tremendously on the sound fix the bridge to the body.
That way it the strings will resonate better against more wood.

if you dont, and want to pull up on the bar then still bring it up quite a bit. The way you have it now doesnt allow for string tension to be put downwards on the bridge. Get it? the strings are kind of being pulled horizontally more than downwards which will make you again lose alot of resonance plus sustain. oh and i have to agree with that the intonation must be waaaay off like someone else said cause it looks like the saddles are all aligned.

Thanks guys, I left a message at the store to bring it down a bit.

As for th eInotation comment, that's just because of the angle of the camera, I checked the inotation and it was good.
Hopefully he'll do it for me and I'll tweak it to whatever.
As for the fix to the bridge comment, I was also told that in some cases, it resonates better when it's a touch above the body.
Thanks for all your help! I hope he gets the message and if not I'll do it myself.

well if you took the guitar in the shop to get setup they SHOULD do all of that.
or else it aint SETUP!. lol

just make sure they dont rip you off man.

setup should include intonation, action hight, fret buzzing. at least that should be included.

Ya, I trust this guy, I mean, I go there all the time and I've been to his house (he lives like 2 blocks away).

And also, I made a block to keep a consistant height and I told him to use it...so he will which will keep it at this height!!! I called and left a message (their closed sundays and mondays) and hopefully he gets it.

For the MIA Stds, Fender specs are 1/8quot; off the body at the trailing edge (rear) of the bridge.

The vintage style bridges really weren't made to float and the loss of coupling between the bridge and the guitars body tends to suck tone. Bringing the tail off the body will also most likely cause some serious tuning and set-up issues.

I havent had tuning problems...its been VERY good. I also would like it floating so I can raise the pitch a little...just somehting different you know?? Also, I actually prefer the vintage-style bridges over the new american ones! I know I may be crazy, but I tried out one with a new one (2 point I think...are they all 2 point??) And for some reason I just liked the vintage, just feels better.

If the floating gets to be too much of a pain I'll set it flat but...we'll see!!
I called the shop and left a message so I hope he gets it!.