What Size Acoustic Guitar Should You Buy? I generally use a radius gauge to set the string height, and adjust it by feel from there. , Now is the perfect time to get the gear you want with simple, promotional financing. As a rule, the higher the action, the greater the clarity, sustain and dynamic range. In this article, we are going to go over proper guitar nut action height so that you can adjust your guitar correctly without causing damage. When you buy products through links across our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. It's reasonably low, but high enough to let the strings ring. You can adjust to taste. 5501 U.S. Hwy 30 W, Fort Wayne, IN 46818 The recommended gap should be sixth string = 2.2mm and first string = 1.6mm for most players. Sustainability "Protecting the environment and all of its precious resources has been at the forefront of my family’s business since its inception." The frets must be in line with each other, that is, none should be higher (or lower) than its neighbors. Sweetwater Sound I have never seen nor heard of a guitar set up this way. The higher the strings, the more tension they have, and the harder it will be to fret the notes. Been playing 15 years. If Unsure, Engage a Professional to Do the Job . I feel like I have to get the string height higher than the LP and the strings can't even bend as much (maybe a major 2nd at most). However, one thing which differentiates the bass guitar from the normal guitars is that the bass guitars tend to have a longer neck and higher scale length. This distance plays a key role in your setup because it determines the ease in which your guitar can be played. Action determines how much pressure and distance is required for the string to make full contact with each fret. I don't know how you are measuring, but I would have to believe that if the string height is the same at the top and bottom of teh neck, that is would be harder and harder to play single notes, let alone chords, as you get closer to the nut. Guitar Setup: How do I measure the action on my electric guitar? The combination of low … They are backed by our unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible manufacturing practices. Store Hours, If you have any questions, please call us at (800) 222-4700. I checked the action and it is just a hair under 4/32" @ the 12th fret bottom of the low E string (and I know the treble strings feel high). Exclusive deals, delivered straight to your inbox. Question: "should all string heights be the same?" I've never looked into this, weird. Treble strings are usually a little bit lower than the wound ones. Once the relief has been set, measurements for string height should be as follows: (measures top of fret to bottom of string): Bass side string height 1st fret: 1.5/64” Treble side string height 1st fret: 1/64” Bass-side string height at 12th fret: 2.5/32” Treble-side string height at 12th fret: 2/32" We consider these measurements to be a "medium" action height. The wound strings contain less iron than non-wound for their diameter (obvious a lot of air in that same volume). String Height At The Nut String height at the nut should be as low as possible without causing open string buzz. This is true, however your angle of 'attack' is from a completely differant vector opposed to playing a guitar/bass fretboard. Stack the feeler gauges to this combined measurement, or close to it. The ideal string height according to most guitar makers and players is about 3mm for the high E string (plus or minus about.5mm) and about 4mm for the low E string (plus or minus about.5mm). Best of all, it’s totally FREE, and it’s just another reason that you get more at Sweetwater.com. But more iron is more iron, so the heavier strings will have a greater effect, so they might need to be moved further away. 0.009 strings, often called “nines,” are the most popular string gauge on the market. Create a username and password below and an account will be created and your post entered. Correct starting point for setting pickup height The reason why there is no “100% correct” height, is that every guitar, player, and playing style differs. probably not, but if it's too low your picks will hit the board. String height according to the setup guide from Gibson custom Shop: From the top of the 12th fret to the bottom of the string, the approximate measurements will be 3/64” (1.2mm) for the high E string, and 5/64” (2mm) for the low E string. i like it as close as possible. String height or action describes the distance between the top of your frets to the bottom of your strings. On my strat - different story. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. Can I check my own nut action? To learn more about our cookie policy, please visit our Privacy Policy. Plays like butter. Achieve the ideal height however and you will have more output and less noise, the perfect outcome. . Jan 1, 2009 #5. Also, while you’re tweaking things, make sure that each string is about the same height away from the fretboard. Strings tuned to pitch, guitar on its side, and in good light Measure from top of 12th fret to top of string As you get close, use your feeler gauges as an accurate way to stop at the string height you're after. First, take some action measurements at the 12th fret on the two outermost strings while your guitar is … However, even with light strings on it, the guitar seems a little punishing to my fingers. Nut slots that are too low will create what many players refer to as a “sitar” effect. Manufacturers build guitars based on their own standards but an average nut width would be close to 1 11/16 ” or 43mm. Height: Guitar Size : 5 - 10 years: 80 - 125cm: 3/4 Size : 10+ years: 125cm + Full Size: Smaller in size than acoustic or classical ; Good for rock, metal, pop and country music; Has steel strings which can be hard on young fingers; Can be heavy, depending on the model. Pickups work the same way in relation to distance from the actual strings. Why is this? In practice, I've found that there are some musicians whose playing attack is so vigorous that they require the nut to be higher to avoid the open string buzz. Paul Warburton. However, the string height … No... curled fibgers are certainly not flat, so imagine trying to play on that kind of a unnaturally-shaped surface.. In order to measure the height of your guitar’s strings, you should have either a ruler, a feeler gauge, or a specialized string action gauge. Where do most of you folks have your (H)D28s set? Wound strings would be best from the same manufacturer as the original set, if your store has them in stock. Although truss rods have been standard equipment for steel string and electric guitars for ages, they're just beginning to catch on with classical guitar makers. chris ivey. i dumped a really neat national new yorker for that reason. This distance plays a key role in your setup because it determines the ease in which your guitar can be played. Learn More. One guitarist may play harder than another guitarist, and one guitar may have thicker and heavier gauge guitar strings than another! You need an account to post a reply. TC-Helicon Go Guitar Pro Quickstart Guide. I know...I know: .. "keyboards are flat!" From: california (deceased) Posted 14 Mar 2012 12:52 pm . The ideal nut slot height, in terms of playability, is subjective — much like string action height at the bridge. The average string action of the guitars I set up is 3/32 inches on the bass side and 1/16 inches on the treble side. Many guitarists, including those who play acoustics, enjoy the sound of fret buzz from low string height. Below are some target numbers that will give you a starting point for determining where you prefer to set your action. Some players like the slots to be cut up a little higher (like slide players), and some players … Bill Hatcher . Our pro musicians and gear experts update content daily to keep you informed and on your way. Scott Lentz is a wizard luthier and I found his recommendation for setting up the string height to be the best starting point I've found. Since action should be set relative to how you play, I’ll leave the specifics to you and the manufacturer of your guitar. Is there consensus on the ideal string height for a non pedalled guitar, and what is it? If the gaps are larger, drop the saddle height; if they’re too low you will need to shim your saddle or get a replacement saddle made. For electric guitars, in our opinion, a good default string height at the 12th fret is typically about 6/64th of an inch (2.38mm) on the … The treble strings should be slightly lower then the bass strings on electric and acoustic guitars. The following setup procedures and specifications are for your Stratocaster as equipped with the strings that come on the instrument as standard equipment from the factory. Hard strummers or pickers may want to increase the string height so that the strings do not hit the frets while sounding. Easy! String the guitar back up and tune it, then place the chosen radius gauge over the strings close to the bridge saddles. If you have a vintage-style through-cut saddle, changing the height is best left to a pro. For electrics, it's fortunate that the thinnest unwound string generally goes first. String height is really a matter of personal preference, the guitar itself, and the type and style of music you are playing. Everything you love about Sweetwater in the palm of your hand. Guitar Setup: How do I use a radius gauge? Our knowledge base contains over 28,000 expertly written tech articles that will give you answers and help you get the most out of your gear. Is there an ideal height? There isn’t a standard nut width for steel string acoustic guitars. Messing with Magnets Adjusting your pickup height can have some side effects you may not have considered. Get Directions | Phone Hours | These are not the only acceptable string heights, but they are a starting point, as the happy medium all comes down to your own personal preference. String height or action describes the distance between the top of your frets to the bottom of your strings. Yes. After the truss rod is set correctly and your nut slots are filed properly, saddle height can be adjusted, if needed. This is a welcome trend. Fast pickers and classical guitarists often set their string height lower than average to increase speed. 0.009’s. Related Articles Piezo Volume … I usually use the end of the fretboard as the guide, making micro-adjustments to the action at the bridge in order to make things consistent across the board. The magnets in the pickups will pick up unwanted noise if you push things too far. I think your neck relief is a little too much compared to the string height at 12th fret. To do this, you may need to drop the height of the A, D, G and B saddles before you start. The most commonly used string heights are 3/64” and 4/64”. Non-wound strings are, as I say, virtually identical, and your guitar store should be able to sell you a single string of the right gauge. String height - do all strings need to be the same exact height? The lower the strings, the less tension they will have and the easier it will be to fret the notes. The strings feel pretty low and I can bend those strings a major 4th and it won't fret out. The treble strings should be slightly lower then the bass strings on electric and acoustic guitars. Measure the sixth and first string's height at the 12th fret from the top of the frets to the bottom of the strings. This height decides how ‘aggressive’ one can play before fret buzz occurs. The distance between the string and the 1st fret would nearly always be below.020 (.5 mm). Here's how. To be precise, a bass guitar or simply a bass is a musical instrument which looks somewhat same as that to an electric or an acoustic guitar. Guitar Setup Part 1: Adjusting the Truss Rod. If you plan to change string gauges, you may need to adjust the specs somewhat to compensate for the changes in string sizes. Set your string height based on your playing style. The whole guitar just feels stiff. At the very least I think I'll be shaving the saddle to get the height to 3/32" or just a smidge under if I can. When I am certain of the condition of the frets I set action at the nut as low as possible. Our frets in this example are.040" tall, so when we add.030" for string clearance we get a slot depth of.070". Click here to login, The ability to reply to and create new discussions, Access to members-only giveaways & competitions, Interact with VIP industry experts in our guest Q&As, Access to members-only sub forum discussions, Get INSTANT ACCESS to the world's best private pro audio, Promote your eBay auctions and Reverb.com listings for free. Martin guitars and strings are known for more than their unrivaled quality, craftsmanship, and tone. The ideal height would be just about the same as a fret's height in the same position as the nut. The idea is to sit the gauge on the two E strings then raise each of the other saddles one by one to just touch the underside of the gauge. . Yes. Even if you change the strings, the nut slots and bridges on these guitars should be able to hold these string gauges without any problems. In theory, yes. Action determines how much pressure and distance is required for the string to make full contact with each fret. From: Atlanta Ga. USA: Posted 14 Mar 2012 5:06 pm . Already have an account? Happy customers, one piece of gear at a time! This is where the string isn’t able to clear the first fret and rattles against it, creating a string buzz similar to a sitar. Strings don't contain the same amount of iron, and therefore don't have the same effect on the magnetic field. Your string height at the nut string height, in terms of playability, is subjective — like... String sizes describes the distance between the top of your strings Setup it! Like string action height at 12th fret be played players refer to as a rule the..., Engage a Professional to do the Job to the bridge saddles do all strings need to the. 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