How is your action being set? (Low vs high action discuss)

[Gian_luca]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I like to strum and do a little finger picking.
I measure string height like these 2 pictures,



I read this as just over 2.0mm but under 2.5mm .... so around 2.25mm at the 12th fret.

Exactly the same for me 👍

[JayBee1404]

Originally Posted by mirwa

2mm or 80 thou approx is the action height at the 12th fret I set acoustic guitars up too. 5mm is a ridiculous height, take it back.

Steve

Steve, he did say 5mm from the fretboard, not from the top of the fret. Still very high though!

[nikpearson]

I’ve found that a good all round action, at the 12th fret and measured from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string, is 2.5mm on the low E, 2.0mm on the high E. This works well for typical light gauge strings (12-53) with neck relief somewhere between 0.1mm and 0.25mm. As other have said the action at the nut is also critical to how the guitar feels and plays, but requires more specialist tools and skill to adjust.

The above setup allows for a wide variety of playing styles, including heavy fingerpicking or digging in with a pick. In standard tuning, this action and decent amount (0.20-0.25mm) of neck relief will also allow you to use dropped alternate tunings without encountering fret buzzing. You can go a little lower with medium gauge strings as the strings amplitude will be a little less due to the increased tension.

I’ve set instruments up at 2.0mm and 1.5mm, low and high E strings respectively, but this only really works for light finger-style playing in my experience. 2.25mm and 1.75mm is the lowest where I still get good all round playability.

Three really useful tools to have around are one of the 6” steel rulers pictured elsewhere on the thread, a capo and a set of feeler gauges. You can also get a specialist action gauge from Stewmac and other suppliers which makes measuring action even easier. The capo and feeler gauges are used to measure neck relief. Capo at the first fret and then hold down the D or G string at the neck/body join fret (12th or 14th). Relief is measured at the midway point of the string (6th or 7th fret) by sliding the different gauges under the string until you can just see the string deflecting slightly. Most players already have a capo and the other two items are inexpensive.

Guitar setup requires both skill and knowledge. Whilst it’s definitely worth learning about to find your personal preference. As others have suggested, you’d be advised to get your guitar setup by a good luthier or tech. S/he should be able to assess your playing style and set the guitar up appropriately. A good setup is essential and doesn’t cost the earth.

[nikpearson]

Originally Posted by JayBee1404

Steve, he did say 5mm from the fretboard, not from the top of the fret. Still very high though!

Assuming the fret height is about 1.0mm, maybe a little more, and the string diameter is 0.053”; then 5mm minus the fret height minus the string radius gives a figure of around 3mm. Not ideal, but not quite so horrendous. Certainly within the realms where setting up should be easy.

If the guitar was bought from a local(ish) store try and persuade them to give you a free setup - this should be standard in any good store. Failing that find an experienced luthier or tech nearby. Even with saddle and nut adjustments this should be relatively inexpensive and really is worth the outlay.

[mtdmind]

Originally Posted by Brucebubs

I like to strum and do a little finger picking.
I measure string height like these 2 pictures,



I read this as just over 2.0mm but under 2.5mm .... so around 2.25mm at the 12th fret.

That's how my acoustics are set, too. Exactly like that. I find that to be the sweet spot in string height for me.

[JBCROTTY]

My two cents for what its worth....

I like low action. I have not suffered from string buzzing (unfretted) and live in Southern California where the humidity is fairly constant so I don't see big swings in moisture.

I use a Stew Mac string action gauge - the progressive string height scale measurement - to gauge my height. A picture of the tool is here:

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...ion-gauge.html

When measuring from the top of the fret wire to the bottom of the string, I aim for the following measures (these are in inches, as is the progressive string height scale on the action gauge that I have - I've listed the corresponding metric measure from the metric gauge version):

6th Fret -

High E: .04 (1mm)
Bass E: .05 (1.25mm)

12th Fret -

High E: .06 (1.5mm)
Bass E: .08 (2mm)

Your preferences may vary but I aim for these measurements - it seems to work for me - the action is low enough to be comfortable but not too low that I am having buzzing issues. I am a strummer - sometimes hard.

I do not attempt nut modifications at all - only saddle. I did get pro setups about a year ago to ensure I was doing the right things, but I will not attempt to alter nut slots etc on my own.

[Mirosh]

To measure neck relief there's a handy and cheap alternative to feeler gauges. I use pieces of used guitar string which I have labeled on a piece of tape, which also serves as a "handle." 0.010, 0.012, and 0.016 inch are what I use.

Capo at the first fret, fret the string you want to measure where it meets the body, and drag your piece of string in the 6-7 fret area. So far I've found 0.010" works for me but there's a range, often higher, that others prefer.

I do own many feeler gauges from my years in auto repair, but this method is easier to do and is not so dependent on holding the tool at a precise angle.

[OregonJim]

Originally Posted by mirwa

2mm or 80 thou approx is the action height at the 12th fret I set acoustic guitars up too. 5mm is a ridiculous height, take it back.

Steve

I suspect he may have been measuring 5mm from the fretboard and not the top of the fret. Either that, or it's a dobro.

[d00dy735]

I have all my acoustic guitars set at exactly 1.75mm (.065 inch) at the 12th fret. No buzzing and an absolute joy to play.

[d00dy735]

[url]https://photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM0t0TwjhFV5uZVoNQy03dZzTx1WI3ftxQHcH_H

[d00dy735]

[IMG]photos.google.com/photo/AF1QipM0t0TwjhFV5uZVoNQy03dZzTx1WI3ftxQHcH_H[/IMG]

[mawmow]

I do not accurately make any measurement
but it is the lowest possible without buzzing
since I play light fingerstyle.

[L20A]

For years, most of my playing was done at Bluegrass Jams.
This caused me to become a very heavy strummer.

When anyone plays one of my guitars, they always say that the action is too high for them.

I have tried to lower the action on a few of my guitars but they always buzz when I strum them with the lowered actions.

I'm 72 now and trying to develop a lighter touch but it is hard to break old habits.

[CharlieBman]

I'm a little heavy handed so I like my action a little high. At the 12th fret, low E is at .1" (2.54 mm), high E at .08" (2.032 mm), and truss relief set about .01" (.254 mm). Nut slot depths are filed so first fret action runs about .022" (.5588 mm) at low E working it's way down to about.018" (.4572 mm) at the high E.

A lot of trial and error and ruined nuts went into arriving at these specs.

If your hand and fingers are hurting playing at the first few frets, I'd suspect your nut slots are too high. Take it to qualified luthier as it's been previously mentioned, this is job for someone who really knows what they are doing.