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Home : Tools : Measuring tools : String Action Gauge

String Action Gauge


Read 151 Reviews   |   Write a Review

Fast, accurate measurements for setups.
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


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String Action Gauge

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Item# Description In stock Price Quantity
0670 Inches Yes
$18.95

0670-M Metric Yes
$18.95


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Instructions
No more "three-and-a-half-64ths or 3/32" plus one of those little lines." This gauge measures in ways that regular rulers can't. —Dan Erlewine

Developed here at Stewart-MacDonald by Dan Erlewine and Don MacRostie, the gauge features a progressive string height scale: simply slide it across the frets and read the measurement under the string. It's faster to use than any ruler, and stays parallel to the fingerboard—much easier than trying to hold a ruler perpendicular to a rounded fret. The string height markers are graduated from .010" to .140" on the inch model, and from 0.25mm to 3.50mm on the metric version.

The back of the gauge has a time-saving fractional/decimal/metric conversion chart.

The String Action Gauge is made of durable stainless steel with precision-etched markings, and fits right in your pocket.

Tip: You can use the gauge to set router depth, instead of a shop ruler. It sits solidly on your router base, with the scale right where you need it.

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 Ratings and reviews
String Action Gauge
String Action Gauge
 
5 out of 5 stars
Based on 151 ratings Write a Review
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Displaying 1 – 10 1  2  3  ...  16 >
5 6-14-2013
Must-have for setups

This tool makes action adjustment a breeze. Another tool I buy multiples of and give away as gifts. I have both the standard and metric versions.

Greg, Ruby-Ryder Guitars  Mesa, Arizona Read my reviews (6)
5 6-13-2013
Want accurate string action?

This is the best measuring tool for setting your string action. Sits across a few frets to avoid rocking. A must have tool.

Jorge Pulido  NYC Read my reviews (3)
5 5-28-2013
The One Ruler to Rule them All.

All jokes aside this ruler is a must have for every Luthier or Tech. There are endless uses for this in the shop. Pull the trigger and you wont regret buying this. This is my most used tool in the shop.

Mack L.  California Read my reviews (8)
5 5-16-2013
Great Tool

I could not find something (like this) in Germany!

Wilhelm  Berlin, Germany
5 5-03-2013
Like me... you might have thought your ruler is good enough...

One day I took the time to measure my ruler with a verneer caliper and discovered that it was extremely inaccurate for measuring string height. So I finally splurged and bought this tool. IT'S AMAZING! I DON'T KNOW HOW I LIVED WITHOUT IT. Not only is it accurate, it's soooooo thoughtfully designed, and user friendly that it improves my productivity noticeably! This tool paid for itself many times over the first time I used it!

Jedidiah Guitars  Canada Read my reviews (3)
5 4-24-2013
String Action Gauge...

This is a very useful tool to use, prior to setting the under-string radius at the bridge. I use this as a starting point when setting up the height of both E strings, then use the string gauge radius tool to adjust the A,D,G,B strings accordingly... I always fine tune after the height and radius have been set... I would highly recommend this tool, especially if you are doing a lot of set ups...

DaVinci Luthiers  Oakville, Ontario, Canada Read my reviews (3)
5 4-10-2013
Even better!

I've always had my awesome basses (Fodera & MTD) in top notch playing condition, but when I checked them with the Stewart-MacDonald String Action Gauge I found slight discrepancies between the different strings (I play 6-string fretless basses and they are highly sensitive). I adjusted the strings to better match each other and I couldn't believe how much difference it makes in the feel of the instruments. They play EVEN better now. I highly, highly, highly recommended this item for players who set up their own instruments.

Patrick Pfeiffer  New York City, NY
Customer supplied image for review
5 4-01-2013
Excellent

Must have tool and that's all I can say.

n17r0uS  Almaty, KZ Read my reviews (12)
5 3-31-2013
A Nifty Tool!

Because of this tool I don't dread doing a full set up of my guitar anymore!

DJB  USA Read my reviews (4)
5 3-18-2013
A must have

This is one of the tools I use the most. Great value, and highly recommended.

Tim Skau  Norway Read my reviews (12)
Displaying 1 – 10 1  2  3  ...  16 > /\ Top of Reviews


Shown on page 12 of our latest catalog.
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