Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

[dpaterson]

Hello again.

I was looking around these (and other forums) for some information and came across a few threads on this topic. All of the threads are quite old, however, and I'm not sure if they're even viewed anymore so I figured I'd start a new thread on this topic.

I noticed that some have recommended using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge to set the action on a guitar. As great an idea as this may be: nobody seems to have taken into account that string height / action is measured from the BOTTOM of the string in question to the top of the fret. Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge measures from the TOP of a string. Am I missing something here???

Yeh, I know, it's personal preference and playing style that should dictate string height / action BUT I like to set to "factory default" and then go from there (I have three Jackons and a Blaze) (of course the Blaze is custom so it's perfectly set up but the Jacksons are from the factory and Jackson is very specific about their "factory default" which I like to use as my starting point anyway). Given Jackson's specs.: Stewmac's String Action Gauge is pretty useless to me i.e. the predefined indicators on one side are not the right values for the Jacksons and I have a REAL hard time using the ruler marks (even with magnification I've a real hard time seeing them little marks). As I said: using their Nut Slotting Gauge just makes perfect sense to me but for the issue above.

Thoughts???

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Get a string height gauge. It has graduated bars that are easy to see instead of tiny lines.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/String-Gau...418949?hash=item25edeb6cc5:g:TE0AAOSwLilahx-l

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Hi Clint 55.

That was quick (your response). Thanks. But nope. That's the problem that I have with my gauge (Stewmac). It also has the graduated line but they're not in the right places (not to mention the fact that I'm not sure I trust my eyesight even with those graduated line anyway!!! LOL!!!).

Nah. That Nut Slotting Gauge seems to be "the business" but for the issue that I noted. I was thinking though: I guess one could use it and simply factor in the the gauge of the string in question (although this was never mentioned anywhere on the threads I found which is what prompted me to start this thread).

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

The gauge dial is zero'd to the top of the string and then the string gets pressed down until the bottom of the string hits the fret and you read the dial. So you are reading/measuring the distance of travel. It's effectively the same as measuring the distance from the bottom of the string to the fret.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Hi Darg1911.

I need to think about this for a minute!!! LOL!!!

Nope. Thought about it. Not getting my head around it!!! LOL!!! Sorry.

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Think harder.

I'll try one more time. Gauge is zero'd with foot resting on top of string. When the string is depressed to the fret, the gauge can only travel the equivalent of the distance that it takes the bottom of the string to contact the top of the fret. That distance of travel IS the distance between the top of the fret and the bottom of the string.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Hmmmnnn...

Got it. I think!!!

You're measuring the amount of MOVEMENT of the string as opposed to the actual string height. So because the MOVEMENT is stopped when the string hits the fret (and the gauge is measuring this MOVEMENT): you're right!!! LOL!!!

So that's why nobody bothered to mention my (so-called) issue!!!

Guess I should have known better i.e. Stewmac makes some good stuff and I'm sure they would have thought of this!!! LOL!!!

In my defense: I played most of the night yesterday until 05h00, had an hour's sleep today (max.), and it's now 01h34 here!!! LOL!!! Sorry.

Guess the only question NOW is: does it come in metric as well.

I need / want to use it to measure from the 17th fret (Jackson specs.). I see it's noted that it's probably less reliable the further away you move from the first fret / nut i.e. the weight of the plunger may be enough to depress the string slightly. Not a bad thing not i.e. it means you'll be setting action at "spec. and a fraction closer"???

Thanks.

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

The point of the gauge is to have something that can be measured consistently to match the distance from fret to string. Where the measurement comes from is not as important as repeatability.

I use the nut slot depth tool to keep my slots from being too deep, and that simultaneously gives consistency across the slots. The dial string height gauge serves no purpose IMO.

All that should be considered knowing that many people for many years have relied on their eyes to adjust nut slots and that has worked fine. A tool is only there to ensure the end result and/or repeatability.

If you are looking for a metric string action gauge, you can get one here

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Nah. As noted: I have one of those (metric). I need to measure 1.60mm and 1.20mm. Those two points don't feature on the graduated bars. They've got 1.25mm and 1.75mm marked so anything in-between is a guess (although one could argue that there's very little difference between 1.20mm and 1.25mm but it depends on how pedantic you are of course). And then of course (even IF my required points were on there): should you be able to JUST see the line below the string, should it be JUST hidden from view, that type of thing (see my point)??? That's why I figured this Nut Slotting Gauge would be more accurate. Anyways. I'm gonna give it a try. And if I'm not happy: I guess a set of their digital calipers is next!!! LOL!!!

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Maybe I missed it, but are you trying to adjust the string action or the nut slots depth (both)?

Guitar necks move with humidity and temperature change, so trying to get that level of accuracy (consistently) is a fools game.

Get it as close as you can, and then move on. There is no exact because every guitar and player is different.

 

[dpaterson]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

Good morning.

I'm wanting to adjust string action using this here tool (or both i.e string action and nut action as and when necessary).

I just reckon (now that I finally "get it" i.e. how the gauge works) it could / should / would be a quick and pretty accurate way of measuring string action and adjusting if necessary (and being able to "rinse and repeat" on a regular basis). Some things I have not mentioned in this thread (or the others): all of my guitars have Floyd Rose trem. systems, I'm a "hard" player, ride the whammy bar a lot, play a lot, am obsessive about cleaning strings and fretboard between sets (with 90% ethyl alchohol), and change strings often. All of these factors tend to require me to check things like string action and pickup height more often (whether it's setting to spec. or to my own SUBJECTIVE measurements) (let's not go there on this thread!!! LOL!!!). My feeler gauge method for pickup height works a cinch for me (as we know) but it ain't so easy or quick checking / setting string height / action with feeler gauges, string action action gauges, or rulers (not for me anyway).

Get it as close as you can, and then move on. There is no exact because every guitar and player is different.

C'mon. We only "met" last night for the time I know but based on the content of the other "perfect" thread you should already know by now that things have to be "exact" with me!!! LOL!!!

Thanks for all the input on this and my other thread (and about to post another in my series of "perfect" posts!!! LOL!!!).

Regards,

Dale.

 

[Darg1911]

Re: Setting String Height / Action Using Stewmac's Nut Slotting Gauge

dpaterson, I was happy to help you "get it". There is nothing wrong with using actual measurements if it works for you. I hope that gauge works out for you. Good luck.