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How to Adjust the Action on an Acoustic Guitar

2,820,434 views October 25, 2019 9:38

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ChannelStewMac

In brief

Lowering the action on your acoustic guitar makes it easier to play and sound better. StewMac walks through the process of adjusting the string height using precise tools like a straight edge, caliper, and radius block—ideal for players who want a smoother, more responsive instrument.

Questions & answers

What tools are needed to adjust the action?

Precision straight edge, string action gauge, luthier’s digital caliper, radius block, nut seating file, and bleached white bone saddles.

Description from the creator

Customers call us every single day asking how to adjust (usually lower) the action on their acoustic guitar. This video has been on our "to do" list forever and we've finally found the time to put it together for you. Enjoy!

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StewMac has everything you need to set up, repair or build guitars.
Everything is 100% guaranteed. Fast worldwide shipping.

Shop StewMac: stewmac.com

Tools and supplies used in this video include:

Precision Straight Edge
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of…

String Action Gauge
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of…

Understring Radius Gauge
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by…

Radius Block
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by…

Luthier's Digital Caliper
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/types-of…

Bleached White Bone Saddles
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/material…

Nut Seating File
stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by…

Facebook: facebook.com/StewMac
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar

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About this tutorial

StewMac published this 9:38 video tutorial on October 25, 2019. It has been watched 2,820,434 times on YouTube.

Channel
StewMac
Duration
9:38
Published
October 25, 2019
Views
2,820,434
Likes
48,361

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Further reading

  • How To Easily Adjust The Action On An Acoustic Guitar guitarlisty.com

    How To Adjust The Action On An Acoustic Guitar. There are generally three steps involved when you adjust the action on an acoustic guitar, which include checking and possibly adjusting three separate areas of your guita…

  • How to adjust the action on an Acoustic Guitar - Guitar ... guitarrepairbench.com

    Acoustic guitar action refers to the height of the strings above the fretboard. It is also used to describe the general feel and playability of a guitar. Generally a guitar’s string height is measured at the 12th fret.…

  • How to Lower the Action on an Acoustic Guitar (with Pictures) wikihow.com

    To lower the action on your acoustic guitar, find the truss rod screw, then use an allen wrench or nut driver to adjust the action. Alternatively, loosen the strings and take off the lower 3 strings to remove the saddle…

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