Setting up your guitar is crucial for optimal playability and tone. One of the most vital aspects of a good setup is achieving the correct string action – the height of your strings above the fretboard. For guitarists and luthiers alike, accurately measuring string action and other critical dimensions is essential. Enter the Guitar Action Gauge: a specialized tool designed for fast, precise measurements, taking the guesswork out of guitar setups.
Forget struggling with bulky rulers and imprecise estimations. The guitar action gauge is like a “Swiss Army knife” for guitar measurements, compact enough to fit in your pocket yet powerful enough to provide the accuracy you need. This stainless steel tool has quickly become a favorite among professionals and hobbyists for its versatility and ease of use.
What exactly can a guitar action gauge measure? This handy tool is designed to provide precise readings for:
- String Height: The distance between the strings and the frets, crucial for comfortable playing and avoiding buzz.
- Bridge Saddle Height: Essential for adjusting overall string action and intonation.
- Saddle Slot Depth: Ensuring proper saddle seating and energy transfer.
- Fret Slot Depth (for unbound fingerboards): Useful during fretwork for consistent fret installation.
- Nut Height: Affects playability in the first position and overall action.
- Pickup Polepiece Height: Optimizing pickup balance and output.
Developed by experienced luthiers Dan Erlewine and Don MacRostie at Stewart-MacDonald, this gauge eliminates the frustration of trying to decipher tiny ruler markings. As Dan Erlewine himself says, “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.”
The innovative progressive string height scale is a standout feature. Simply slide the gauge across the frets, and the measurement appears directly under the string. This method is significantly faster and more accurate than traditional rulers, ensuring parallelism with the fingerboard radius, something difficult to achieve when holding a ruler perpendicular to rounded frets.
StewMac offers the guitar action gauge in two distinct models to cater to your preferred unit of measurement: inches or millimeters. The inch model measures string height from .010″ to .140″, while the metric version ranges from 0.25mm to 3.50mm. Choose the one that best suits your workflow.
For added convenience, the back of the gauge features a handy fractional/decimal/metric conversion chart, saving you time and effort when working with different measurement systems.
Crafted from durable stainless steel with precision-etched markings, the guitar action gauge is built to last and maintain its accuracy over time. Its pocket-friendly size means you can easily keep it on hand wherever you’re working on your instruments.
Pro Tip: Beyond guitar setups, this gauge is also incredibly useful for setting router depth. Its stable base and clear scale positioned right where you need it make it a superior alternative to a standard shop ruler in many woodworking applications.
In conclusion, the guitar action gauge is an indispensable tool for anyone serious about guitar setup and maintenance. Its precision, versatility, and ease of use make it a worthwhile investment for achieving optimal playability and unlocking the full potential of your instruments. Stop guessing and start measuring with confidence – the guitar action gauge is the key to perfect guitar action.
