How to Measure Your Guitar's Action Using StewMac Measurement Tools

Getting the PERFECT setup starts with accurate measurements at a number of critical points on the guitar.

In this Trade Secret, Blake demonstrates fast and accurate ways to measure the height of your action at the 1st fret, the 12th fret, get accurate fingerboard radius readings, and check your radius at the saddle.

If you're new to guitar repair or thinking of trying to adjust your action yourself, this is a good one to check out.

Products used in this video:

StewMac Shop Rule
stewmac.com/item/4905

String Action Gauge
stewmac.com/item/0670

Understring Radius Gauges
stewmac.com/item/0353

Notched Radius Gauges
stewmac.com/item/5433

Basic Setup Kit
stewmac.com/item/3910

#3316 Ball-end Hex Keys
stewmac.com/item/3316

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

Shop StewMac: stewmac.com

Facebook: facebook.com/StewMac
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar

-----------------------------

🎥 Gear We Use in Our Studio
We get a lot of questions about the gear we use to make our videos, so here’s our current setup!*

Camera / Mounting Gear
Canon C70  bhpho.to/3UOUkef
Canon XC10  bhpho.to/4n4urD3
Sachtler Ace XL Fluid Head Tripod System  bhpho.to/3Hz9YHF
Manfrotto Deluxe Autopole 2  bhpho.to/45SCNqs
Glide Gear OH 75 Overhead Portable Pole Rig  bhpho.to/4maFBpf

Lights
Aputure 300 Bi-Color LED  bhpho.to/47m0ASc
FotodioX C-700 Flapjack LED  bhpho.to/4fUL9Cs
Quasar Science Q-Lion LED  bhpho.to/4p3OROA

Sound
RODE Wireless PRO Microphone System  bhpho.to/45FLK7F
Sennheiser MKH 416 Shotgun Microphone bhpho.to/4oUAsUR
Sennheiser e 609 Microphone  bhpho.to/4mxRJRW
TASCAM DR-70D Multi-Track Field Recorder  bhpho.to/3URMwbG

🛠 Workshop Tools & Supplies We Use
While most of the tools we use in our shop are StewMac (shocker!), we’ve also outfitted our shop with some other essentials. If you’re looking to pick up anything to make some improvements to your own shop or bench, here are a few of our essentials.*

Storage & Organization
We love Craftsman toolboxes in this shop!  (Below link into affiliate link)
lowes.com/search?searchTerm=craftsman+toolboxes…
Storage Cabinets shoplowes.me/3HVk9pO, shoplowes.me/3T4wSsw, shoplowes.me/3ZHXN0V
Small Parts Organizer  shoplowes.me/4l9cSkY
Storage Chest  shoplowes.me/45wIrA7
Workbench and Toolbox Stations  shoplowes.me/43YRlVX
Wire Storage Racks  shoplowes.me/4loDrSW

Tools
Craftsman Drill  shoplowes.me/4nghEOW
DeWalt Drill  shoplowes.me/4l1LVzz
Drill Bit Set shoplowes.me/44tvxlh
Screwdriver Bit Set  shoplowes.me/4lEOGXx
Screwdriver Set  shoplowes.me/3I8iTiS
Silent Shop Vac  shoplowes.me/40chXjO
Spindle Sander  shoplowes.me/3T6RPmz
Shop Supplies
Blue Shop Towels  shoplowes.me/4l4xjzo
Shop Rags  shoplowes.me/4nqDpf6
Power Strips  shoplowes.me/4llBfLP
Work Lights  shoplowes.me/4ljsK3F
Dehumidifier  shoplowes.me/46LWAd8
Mixing Buckets  shoplowes.me/4ekkUVf

*These are affiliate links, which means if you pick something up through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That support helps us create more great content for you—thanks for being a part of it all!