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Home : Tools : Measuring tools : String Action Gauge

Fast, accurate measurements for setups

String Action Gauge

Inch and metric versions now available!
Our String Action Gauge is a "Swiss Army Ruler" for setup adjustments on any stringed instrument. This pocket-size stainless steel rule has become a luthier's favorite in busy shops. It's the best way yet to get vital measurements on acoustic and electric instruments.
• String height
• Bridge saddle height
• Saddle slot depth
• Fret slot depth (unbound fingerboards)
• Nut height
• Pickup polepiece height

See details below
String Action Gauge Play video
Item# Description In stock Price Quantity
0670 Inches Yes $18.95
0670-M NEW! Metric Yes $18.95

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Instructions

String Action Gauge



i-0670 Updated 02/08

Measure string action (the height of the string above the fret) at any point by placing the gauge behind the string. The string height markings are at increments of .010" (ten thousandths of an inch). When the bottom of a mark aligns with the bottom of the string, that measurement is the string height at that point.

The markings themselves are .005" thick, so referring to the top of a mark instead of the bottom adds .005" to the measurement. In this way the progressive string height scale measures in .005" increments.



String action specs
The suggested measurements listed here refer to the string height at the 1st fret and also at a higher fret. Measured for the outermost bass and treble strings.

Relief
Lay a straightedge across the frets and measure the clearance at the 8th. (Or put a capo at the 1st fret and press a string down at the highest fret — the string becomes the straightedge.)

Suggested action settings
Steel-string acoustic guitar Bass E Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .023"   .013"  
Action at the 12th fret   .090"   .070"  
Relief: .002" at the 8th fret          
Nylon-string acoustic guitar Bass E Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .030"   .024"  
Action at the 12th fret   .156"   .125"  
Relief: .002" at the 8th fret          
Electric guitar Bass E Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .024"   .010"  
Action at the 12th fret   .078"   .063"  
Relief: .001" at the 8th fret          
Bass Bass E Treble G
Action at the 1st fret   .022"   .020"  
Action at the 17th fret   .105"   .094"  
Relief: .014" at the 7th fret          
Mandolin Bass G Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .030"   .020"  
Action at the 17th fret   .075"   .065"  
Relief: .005" at the 6th fret          
Banjo Bass D Treble D
Action at the 1st fret   .037"   .035"  
Action at the 12th fret   .090"   .090"  
Relief: .008" at the 8th fret          

For more information on setups, including setup preferences of
famous players, see Dan Erlewine’s Guitar Player Repair Guide
and How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!



Metric String Action Gauge



i-0670-m Updated 03/09

Measure string action (the height of the string above the fret) at any point by placing the gauge behind the string. The string height markings are at increments of .25mm (1/4mm). When the bottom of a mark aligns with the bottom of the string, that measurement is the string height at that point.

The markings themselves are .1mm thick, so referring to the top of a mark instead of the bottom adds .1mm to the measurement. In this way the progressive string height scale measures in .1mm increments.



String action specs
The suggested measurements listed here refer to the string height at the 1st fret and also at a higher fret. Measured for the outermost bass and treble strings.

Relief
Lay a straightedge across the frets and measure the clearance at the 8th. (Or put a capo at the 1st fret and press a string down at the highest fret — the string becomes the straightedge.)

Suggested action settings (in millimeters)
Steel-string acoustic guitar Bass E Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .6   .35  
Action at the 12th fret   2.3   1.8  
Relief: .05 at the 8th fret          
Nylon-string acoustic guitar Bass E Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .8   .6  
Action at the 12th fret   4   3.2  
Relief: .05 at the 8th fret          
Electric guitar Bass E Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .6   .25  
Action at the 12th fret   2   1.6  
Relief: .025 at the 8th fret          
Bass Bass E Treble G
Action at the 1st fret   .55   .5  
Action at the 17th fret   2.7   2.4  
Relief: .356 at the 7th fret          
Mandolin Bass G Treble E
Action at the 1st fret   .8   .5  
Action at the 17th fret   1.9   1.7  
Relief: .13 at the 6th fret          
Banjo Bass D Treble D
Action at the 1st fret   .95   .9  
Action at the 12th fret   2.3   2.3  
Relief: .2 at the 8th fret          

For more information on setups, including setup preferences of
famous players, see Dan Erlewine’s Guitar Player Repair Guide
and How To Make Your Electric Guitar Play Great!





Shown on page 12 of our latest catalog.

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