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  • Adjusting the action!

    Posted by DeannaS on May 13, 2021 at 5:11 pm

    Recently I changed to heavier strings for the first time, and there was clearly a huge change in the action. I ended up playing like that for a while, but there was just too much distance between the strings and the fretboard. After watching a couple youtube videos, including Tony’s on how to adjust this, I did it myself!
    It’s daunting when you don’t know what to do, but so simple after seeing a couple people walk through the process.

    johnny67 replied 3 years, 7 months ago 11 Members · 16 Replies
  • 16 Replies
  • ted_h

    Member
    May 13, 2021 at 5:37 pm

    Nice job! Impressive!

  • Loraine

    Member
    May 13, 2021 at 8:59 pm

    Very cool win @DeannaS – I’m still at the intimidated level myself. 🙂

    • DeannaS

      Member
      May 14, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      Watch a couple videos about it, just to gain a better understanding.
      If you’re still to nervous, you could always take it to a shop and watch them do it.

      But ultimately, if you have an action gauge (string ruler) and the right size hex key, you can do it!
      Small turns and keeping an remeasuring. You go to far, you just turn it back slightly.
      Initially I lowered the action to the right level (per standard measurement, that’s listed on my D’Addario Action Gauge), but got some string buzz, so I loosened it a bit, and now it’s sounding and playing great!

      • SoCal_Ian

        Member
        May 14, 2021 at 1:15 pm

        Huge bubble buster here @DeannaS but you really didn’t change the action per se. You adjusted the truss rod which changed the neck relief which had an effect on the guitar’s action. While that might sound the same it’s really not. You changed the string height in certain areas of the guitar but not across the length of the fretboard. If it worked then that meant your guitar needed an adjustment and that’s great but not really a way you can consistently rely upon.

      • Crabby

        Member
        May 14, 2021 at 7:17 pm

        @Socal_ian, I did the same thing recently and it really helped.

        I have a gauge and instructions said to measure at the 12th fret. It seems to me there are three areas to adjust string height, The nut the bridge and the neck relief via the truss rod. If you are measuring at the 12th fret, it seems to me that the strings could be to low or high at either the nut or the bridge end of the fretboard. How does one know the proper height at the ends of the fretboard? Any Comments

      • SoCal_Ian

        Member
        May 15, 2021 at 12:02 pm

        Not comments per se @Crabby but links to your answers and a more expanded explanation on my “truss rod is not really adjusting action” statement:

        https://www.stewmac.com/video-and-ideas/trade-secrets/how-to-measure-your-guitars-action.html

        https://guitargearfinder.com/guides/guitar-action/

      • dr_dave

        Member
        May 15, 2021 at 1:08 pm

        Thanks Ian. Exactly what I was going to say. Changing string gage usually requires truss rod adjustment to dial in neck relieve, but should not require you to change saddle or nut height. The truss rod does not change the action.

        • This reply was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by  dr_dave.
  • Alisa

    Member
    May 14, 2021 at 3:04 pm

    @DeannaS Can you share the link to Tony’s video please?

  • Crabby

    Member
    May 14, 2021 at 7:20 pm

    @DeannaS so how did the adjustment you made feel? How did the heavier strings feel. Was there a specific reason you went to heavier strings?

    • DeannaS

      Member
      June 25, 2021 at 12:28 pm

      I wanted to try heavier strings, for a few reasons: Seeing what heavier strings do for a warmer sound, and since I’ve been paying around with a little more sliding. the change in sound is noticeable, and I love it. And since my fingers have gotten pretty used to playing, it wasn’t as big of a pain in the fingers as I anticipated.
      Doing the adjustment made me feel good! I’m glad that I can do it myself, and keep on playin’!

  • GuitarGeni

    Member
    June 25, 2021 at 4:48 pm

    Congratulations to you DeannaS! It’s a great feeling to know that you can do it yourself. It’s really not as daunting as it seems if you take your time and go slow. I learned from a copy of Dan Erlewine’s book on doing setups, sorry can’t remember the name of it just now. Highly recommended. I also watch YouTube videos to learn how to do things, especially the ones from Stew-Mac where Dan works. I don’t trust everyone, but there are a few that are pretty good. I like to see the different approaches that people sometimes have.

    Anyway, you go girl! Enjoy your weekend and new found confidence!

  • JohnV

    Member
    June 25, 2021 at 6:41 pm

    Congrats on adjusting your neck relief. Our of curiosity, what gauge strings did you have and what did you change to?

    • DeannaS

      Member
      June 29, 2021 at 2:42 pm

      I started playing guitar 2 years ago with 10-50 strings, I switched to 11-52 strings about a year ago. and my switch to 12-54 strings is what made me need to adjust the neck truss.

  • Marty73

    Member
    June 26, 2021 at 6:04 am

    Big win, you took the plunge on working on your own guitar. 🧐🧙‍♂️😎

  • johnny67

    Member
    July 1, 2021 at 2:08 pm

    Nice job working on your own guitar is very satisfying! 👏

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