Stew Mac string action gauge

[Mrbirdog]

Anybody else use one of these? I’m not sure whether to use inches or millimeters it’s hard to read at the 12th fret. For acoustic guitar low action I see 3/32 bass and 1/16 treble
Am I the only one that has trouble reading this even with glasses?
Mrbirdog

[Rev Roy]

I’ve been using one for years. Lot of info on that little rectangle...so all those numbers/lines aren’t all that easy to see. But it gets the job done. I keep my guitars at 5/64” low, 4/64” high.

[Birdbrain]

I got one, and yes, I find it difficult to read. I think I'll look for some feeler gauges next, like I used to use to gap spark plugs and valves.

[Ralph124C41]

Originally Posted by Birdbrain

I got one, and yes, I find it difficult to read. I think I'll look for some feeler gauges next, like I used to use to gap spark plugs and valves.

that's what I use. I got an off brand and first off, there are no directions so I don't know how to use 1/10th of the settings but mainly it's very difficult to read. I really need to have a magnifying glass. I think it would be fine if I had something like one of those goose neck magnifiers.

So I just use feeler gauges.

(true funny story: a couple years back I attended a setup seminar offered by a local luthier. He gave each of us a few "goodies" including a set of feeler gauges. A few months or maybe even a year later I noticed they were rusting so I think I sprayed a couple mists of some kitchen cleaner on them. I wiped them clean ... and all of the numbers disappeared! It turns out the numbers were mainly spray painted on with cheap paint and were not etched in.)

I also use feeler gauges to set up my electrics as well as adjusting the
necks on my acoustics.

[Mrbirdog]

My ADD is killing me LOL flipped over the gauge and use the conversion chart so I can use the scale And convert to inches, it’s still hard to read I took a flashlight out and shined it right on it still hard to see

[Peepaw]

I have one and I also have trouble seeing the marks.

Lately I use my battery operated headlite.
Works wonders for these old eyes.

Even I can read it if it's well lit.

[Brucebubs]

Old fashioned ruler on the 12th fret.

I read this as just over 2.0mm and under 2.5mm

[zmf]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Old fashioned ruler on the 12th fret.

Not fair. Too retro.

Reminds me of the NASA space program spending much time and money designing a ballpoint pen that would write at all angles under zero gravity conditions in space.

Meanwhile, Russian cosmonauts were simple given pencils.

[Silly Moustache]

Got one - works fine, Use a mini torch to read.

[guitar george]

How about wearing reading glasses +4.00 or higher or use a magnifying glass?

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

Old fashioned ruler on the 12th fret.

I’m with Bruce. My 12” steel rule is wide enough to span two frets, so there’s no problem with keeping it level. Works perfectly for me.

As it’s Christmas, a little anecdote: When I first went into an engineering apprenticeship as a 16-year-old, back in the early-1960s, I initially had no tools of my own and I asked my supervisor, an old-school highly experienced tool-room fitter, if I could borrow a ruler. He fetched one from his bench, thrust it under my nose and, in a tone that almost caused my eyebrows to self-combust snarled, “Queen Elizabeth ll is the ruler, THIS is a RULE!”.

I’ve laughed about it a lot in the intervening years, but I’ve never called a measuring stick a ‘ruler’ since!

[AndrewG]

I just adjust until it feels right. I don't use measuring devices because what feels right on one guitar may not on another, even if the action measures the same on both.

[Glennwillow]

Stew Mac string action gauge

I have been using one for years. I find it extremely helpful.

Yes, it's a little hard to read with older eyes, but as Silly Moustache notes, a small flashlight can help. I have even used a magnifying glass to see the lines better.

- Glenn

[gitarpraz]

Originally Posted by AndrewG

I just adjust until it feels right. I don't use measuring devices because what feels right on one guitar may not on another, even if the action measures the same on both.

That's more along the lines of how I do it. Plus, whatever strings I'm using for any given guitar are a factor too. I'm much more picky about nut slot height than 12th fret height. Of course I play more near the nut.

I still just use a nickel (as in the US coin) as a reference for high E action at the 12th. I like it right there or slightly above usually. It's pretty easy to read.

[DukeX]

I use one. Yes, hard to read but very useful.