Adjusting the action on your guitar is an important part of keeping it in playing condition. The action refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard, and it can affect the playability and tone of the guitar. If the action is too high, the strings will be difficult to press down and you may experience fret buzz. If the action is too low, the strings may buzz against the frets when you play them. The ideal action height will vary depending on the guitar and the player’s preferences, but a good starting point is to have the strings about 1/16 of an inch above the fretboard at the 12th fret.
There are two main ways to adjust the action on a guitar: by adjusting the truss rod or by adjusting the bridge. The truss rod is a metal rod that runs through the neck of the guitar, and it can be tightened or loosened to change the curvature of the neck. When the truss rod is tightened, the neck will bow forward, which will raise the action. When the truss rod is loosened, the neck will bow backward, which will lower the action. The bridge is the part of the guitar that holds the strings in place, and it can be raised or lowered to change the action. When the bridge is raised, the action will be higher. When the bridge is lowered, the action will be lower.
Adjusting the action on a guitar can be a delicate process, and it’s important to make small adjustments and check the results before making any further changes. If you’re not comfortable making these adjustments yourself, you can take your guitar to a qualified guitar technician to have the action adjusted. However, with a little patience and care, you can learn how to adjust the action on your guitar yourself and keep it playing its best.
Materials and Tools Required
To successfully lower the action on your guitar, you’ll need:
Essential Tools:
- Allen wrench or hex key (sizes vary based on guitar model)
- Neck shim (optional, but recommended for larger adjustments)
- String winder
- Precision ruler or feeler gauge
- Light machine oil (optional)
Essential Materials:
- New strings (optional)
- Guitar lubricant or graphite (optional)
- Soft cloth or microfiber towel
Before starting, ensure you have the correct sized hex key for your guitar’s truss rod and bridge saddles. It’s also advisable to have a supply of new strings on hand in case you need to restring the guitar after adjusting the action.
Recommended Tools:
- Truss rod wrench
- Torque wrench
- String action gauge
While not essential, these tools can provide greater precision and control during the process.
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Truss rod wrench | Adjusts the truss rod, which affects the overall curvature of the neck |
| Torque wrench | Ensures proper torque is applied when tightening bridge saddles |
| String action gauge | Accurately measures string heights at the 12th fret |
Understanding Guitar Action
Guitar action refers to the distance between the strings and the fretboard. It affects the playability, tone, and overall comfort of the guitar. Adjusting the action is a crucial step in guitar setup and maintenance, as it can dramatically improve the instrument’s performance.
The ideal action varies depending on the player’s preferences and playing style. However, a generally accepted range for electric guitars is 1/16 to 1/8 inch (1.5 to 3.175 mm) at the 12th fret. For acoustic guitars, the action is typically set slightly higher, ranging from 2/32 to 3/32 inch (1.5875 to 2.38125 mm).
The action can be adjusted by modifying the truss rod, saddle height, or nut height. The truss rod is a metal rod located inside the neck that affects the curvature of the neck. Tightening the truss rod will straighten the neck, raising the action, while loosening it will curve the neck, lowering the action.
Adjusting Saddle Height
Adjusting the saddle height is a common method of lowering the action on acoustic guitars.
– **Acoustic Guitar:**
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st String | 1/32″ | 2/32″ |
| 2nd String | 1/32″ | 7/64″ |
| 3rd String | 5/64″ | 9/64″ |
| 4th String | 13/64″ | 15/64″ |
| 5th String | 17/64″ | 19/64″ |
| 6th String | 21/64″ | 23/64″ |
- Electric Guitar:
| Low | High | |
|---|---|---|
| 1st String | 1/16″ | 3/32″ |
| 2nd String | 1/16″ | 5/64″ |
| 3rd String | 5/64″ | 11/64″ |
| 4th String | 1/8″ | 3/16″ |
| 5th String | 11/64″ | 7/32″ |
| 6th String | 13/64″ | 1/4″ |
Adjusting the saddle height involves raising or lowering the bridge saddles to alter the distance between the strings and the fretboard. On acoustic guitars, this may require removing the strings and making adjustments with a wrench or hex key. On electric guitars, the saddles may have small screws that can be turned with a screwdriver.
Adjusting the Truss Rod
The truss rod is a metal rod that runs the length of the guitar neck. It is used to adjust the curvature of the neck, which can affect the action of the guitar.
Turning the Truss Rod
To adjust the truss rod, you will need a truss rod wrench. The type of wrench you need will depend on the type of guitar you have. Once you have the wrench, you will need to locate the truss rod nut. The truss rod nut is usually located at the headstock of the guitar, near the nut.
To tighten the truss rod, turn the truss rod nut clockwise. To loosen the truss rod, turn the truss rod nut counterclockwise. Be sure to turn the truss rod nut slowly and carefully. It is important not to over-tighten the truss rod, as this can damage the neck of the guitar.
Checking the Relief
Once you have adjusted the truss rod, you will need to check the relief of the neck. The relief is the amount of curvature in the neck. To check the relief, you will need a straight edge. Place the straight edge on the neck of the guitar, between the frets. The straight edge should be parallel to the frets. If the straight edge is not parallel to the frets, then the neck has too much or too little relief.
If the neck has too much relief, the strings will be too high off the fretboard. This can make it difficult to play the guitar. To reduce the relief, turn the truss rod nut clockwise.
If the neck has too little relief, the strings will be too close to the fretboard. This can cause the strings to buzz when you play them. To increase the relief, turn the truss rod nut counterclockwise.
Recommended Relief Settings
The ideal relief for a guitar neck is between 0.010″ and 0.015″. However, this may vary depending on the type of guitar you have. It is important to experiment with different relief settings to find what works best for you.
| Guitar Type | Recommended Relief |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Guitar | 0.010″ – 0.015″ |
| Electric Guitar | 0.008″ – 0.012″ |
| Bass Guitar | 0.012″ – 0.018″ |
Adjusting the Saddle Height
The saddle is a small, thin piece of metal or bone that sits at the base of the bridge. It’s what the strings rest on, and its height can have a big impact on the action of your guitar. If the saddle is too high, the strings will be too far away from the fretboard, making it difficult to play. If it’s too low, the strings will be too close to the fretboard, causing them to buzz when you play.
The ideal saddle height is a matter of personal preference, but there are some general guidelines you can follow. For most guitars, the saddle should be about 2mm (1/16 inch) from the top of the fretboard at the 12th fret.
To adjust the saddle height, you’ll need to use a small allen wrench or a screwdriver. The saddle is held in place by screws or bolts, and you’ll need to loosen these slightly in order to adjust its height. Once you’ve loosened the screws, you can gently nudge the saddle up or down until it’s at the desired height. Be careful not to overtighten the screws, as this can damage the saddle or the bridge.
Once you’ve adjusted the saddle height, retune your guitar and play it to see how it feels. If the action is still too high or too low, you can adjust the saddle height again until it’s just right.
Tips for Adjusting the Saddle Height
- Use a straight edge to check the saddle height. The straight edge should rest on the top of the fretboard at the 12th fret, and the bottom of the straight edge should be parallel to the strings. If the saddle is too high, the strings will be above the straight edge. If the saddle is too low, the strings will be below the straight edge.
- Make small adjustments to the saddle height. Don’t try to adjust it too much at once, or you could damage the saddle or the bridge.
- Check the action at different frets. The saddle height should be the same at all frets, so check the action at the 1st, 5th, 7th, and 12th frets to make sure it’s consistent.
| Saddle Height (mm) | Action (mm) |
| 1.5 | 2.0 |
| 2.0 | 2.5 |
| 2.5 | 3.0 |
Filing the Nut
The nut is a small piece of bone, plastic, or metal that sits at the top of the guitar neck. It is responsible for holding the strings in place and setting their height above the fretboard. If the nut is too high, it can make it difficult to play the guitar and can cause tuning problems. Filing the nut is a relatively simple process that can be done with a few basic tools.
Gather your tools. You will need a nut file, a ruler, and a pencil. You may also want to use a magnifying glass to help you see the nut more clearly.
Measure the height of the nut slots. Use a ruler to measure the height of the nut slots. The slots should be just high enough to allow the strings to clear the frets without buzzing. If the slots are too high, you will need to file them down.
Mark the nut slots. Use a pencil to mark the nut slots at the height that you want to file them. The marks should be perpendicular to the strings.
File the nut slots. Use a nut file to file the nut slots to the marks that you made. Be careful not to file too much, as you can easily remove too much material. File the slots slowly and carefully, checking the height of the strings as you go.
Smooth the nut slots. Once you have filed the nut slots to the desired height, you will need to smooth them out. You can do this with a piece of fine sandpaper or a nut slotting file.
Re-string the guitar. Once you have filed the nut, you will need to re-string the guitar. Make sure that the strings are properly seated in the nut slots and that they are tuned to the correct pitch.
Using Shim Washers
Shim washers are thin pieces of material, usually plastic or metal, placed between the neck and the body of the guitar to raise the neck and lower the action. They come in a variety of thicknesses, allowing you to fine-tune the action to your desired height. Shim washers are a relatively inexpensive and easy way to lower the action on your guitar.
Steps:
- Remove the strings.
- Loosen the neck bolts.
- Slide the shim washer under the neck. It should go between the neck and the body of the guitar.
- Tighten the neck bolts.
- Check the action. If it’s still too high, add another shim washer.
- Re-string the guitar.
Tips:
- Start with a thin shim washer and gradually add more until you reach the desired action.
- Be careful not to over-tighten the neck bolts, as this can damage the guitar.
- If you’re not comfortable adjusting the action yourself, take your guitar to a qualified luthier.
Here is a table with some common shim washer thicknesses and their corresponding action height:
| Shim Washer Thickness | Action Height |
|---|---|
| 0.010″ | 4/64″ |
| 0.015″ | 5/64″ |
| 0.020″ | 6/64″ |
Compensating for String Gauge
If you’re changing to a different string gauge, you’ll need to adjust the truss rod to compensate. Heavier strings will require more tension on the truss rod, while lighter strings will require less tension. You can use the following table as a guide:
| String Gauge | Truss Rod Adjustment |
|---|---|
| .009-.042 | Tighten 1/4 turn |
| .010-.046 | Tighten 1/2 turn |
| .011-.052 | Tighten 3/4 turn |
| .012-.056 | Tighten 1 full turn |
| .013-.060 | Tighten 1 1/4 turns |
If you’re not sure what string gauge you have, you can measure the diameter of the strings with a caliper. Once you know the string gauge, you can use the table above to adjust the truss rod accordingly. It’s important to note that these are just guidelines, and you may need to make small adjustments based on your personal preferences.
To adjust the truss rod, you’ll need to use a truss rod wrench. The truss rod wrench will fit into a small hole in the headstock of the guitar. Once you have the truss rod wrench in place, you can turn it clockwise to tighten the truss rod or counterclockwise to loosen the truss rod. Be sure to only make small adjustments at a time, and check the neck relief after each adjustment.
Checking and Setting Relief
Relief refers to the curvature of your guitar’s neck. It is important to check and set the relief before adjusting the action, as the curvature of the neck can affect the distance between the strings and the fretboard. To check the relief, hold the guitar upright and look down the side of the neck. You should see a slight, gradual curvature. If there is too much or too little curvature, you will need to adjust it.
To adjust the relief, use a truss rod wrench to turn the truss rod nut. Turning the nut clockwise will increase the curvature of the neck, while turning it counterclockwise will decrease the curvature. Make small adjustments and check the relief after each adjustment until you achieve the desired curvature.
The amount of relief required will vary depending on the guitar and the playing style. However, a good starting point is to set the relief so that there is about 0.010 inches (0.25 mm) of clearance between the bottom of the string and the top of the 7th fret when the string is pressed down at the 1st and 12th frets. You can use a feeler gauge to measure the clearance.
Once you have set the relief, you can adjust the action. The action is the distance between the strings and the fretboard. To adjust the action, you will need to adjust the height of the bridge saddle or nut.
| To adjust the bridge saddle height, use a wrench or screwdriver to turn the saddle adjustment screws. Turning the screws clockwise will raise the saddle, while turning them counterclockwise will lower the saddle. |
|---|
| To adjust the nut height, you will need to file the nut slots. Use a nut file or sandpaper to carefully file the slots until the string height is correct. |
When adjusting the action, it is important to make small adjustments and check the playability of the guitar after each adjustment. You want to find the lowest action that is still comfortable to play without causing any buzzing or fretting out.
How To Lower Action On Guitar
Guitar action refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. Lower action makes it easier to play, as less force is required to press down the strings. However, if the action is too low, the strings may buzz against the frets. The ideal action height varies depending on the guitar, playing style, and personal preference, but as a general rule, the strings should be just high enough to clear the frets without buzzing.
There are two main ways to lower action on a guitar: adjusting the truss rod and adjusting the bridge.
The truss rod is a metal rod that runs through the neck of the guitar. Its function is to keep the neck straight and to prevent it from bending under the tension of the strings. If the truss rod is too tight, it will bow the neck, which will raise the action. If the truss rod is too loose, it will allow the neck to bend, which will lower the action.
To adjust the truss rod, you will need a truss rod wrench. The truss rod nut is usually located at the headstock of the guitar, either at the top or bottom. To tighten the truss rod, turn the nut clockwise. To loosen the truss rod, turn the nut counterclockwise.
The bridge is located at the body of the guitar. Its function is to hold the strings in place and to allow for intonation adjustments. The bridge can be adjusted to raise or lower the strings.
To adjust the bridge, you will need a screwdriver or a hex wrench. The bridge saddle screws are usually located on the top or bottom of the bridge. To raise the strings, turn the saddle screws clockwise. To lower the strings, turn the saddle screws counterclockwise.
It is important to note that adjusting the truss rod and the bridge can affect the intonation of the guitar. The intonation is the accuracy of the pitches of the strings when they are fretted. If the intonation is off, the guitar will not play in tune. Therefore, it is important to make small adjustments and check the intonation after each adjustment.
People Also Ask About How To Lower Action On Guitar
What is the ideal action height for a guitar?
The ideal action height varies depending on the guitar, playing style, and personal preference, but as a general rule, the strings should be just high enough to clear the frets without buzzing.
How can I tell if my guitar’s action is too high or too low?
If your guitar’s action is too high, the strings will feel stiff and difficult to press down. If your guitar’s action is too low, the strings will buzz against the frets.
How often should I adjust my guitar’s action?
The action on a guitar will change over time as the wood expands and contracts due to changes in temperature and humidity. Therefore, it is a good idea to check the action on your guitar regularly and make adjustments as necessary.
