How to Get Strings Closer to an Acoustic Fretboard?

Setting the action of guitar strings improves intonation as well as playability.

In your hands, an acoustic guitar is much like an electric guitar. It's played the same way, and has all the same basic components. However, acoustic guitars often don't have adjustable hardware, especially at the bridge, where intonation and string height are set. The height of the strings from the fretboard is referred to as the "action" of the guitar, and if the action of your acoustic is too high, it can be adjusted with a few basic tools.

Things You'll Need

• Ruler
• Medium grit sandpaper
• Fine grit sandpaper

Instructions

1. Locate the guitar's saddle, the point where the strings meet the bridge at the bottom of the guitar. This piece is usually made of plastic or wood.

2. Measure the height of the strings at the 12th fret with a ruler. As a general rule, the strings should sit about 3 to 4 millimeters above the fret.

3. Loosen the strings to the point where they can be lifted off the saddle.

4. Fold a piece of medium grit sandpaper in half and lightly sand into the notches of the saddle one at a time. Remove only a small amount material, then tune the strings back up to pitch and measure the height again. Repeat this process, measuring each time, as the strings will begin to sit lower and lower into the saddle.

5. Smooth any rough edges or burrs in the saddle with fine grit sandpaper once you have the strings lowered to the appropriate level.

References

• The Guitar Handbook; Ralph Denyer; 1992
• Lowering Action at the Saddle; Frank Ford; 2000