Simple Guitar Neck Relief Method

Our Guitar String Action Gauge can also be utilised to set the neck relief on your guitar. All that's required in addition to the gauge is a Capo and Feeler Gauges.

"Hi there, I'm absolutely floored with the results! Before using your guide, I tried every imaginable neck relief method/product available. However, none of them ever felt accurate and I would find myself uncertain about my work - eventually taking it to a local shop every time. It was frustrating when all I wanted to do was straighten the neck, set string action, pickup height & intonation. I'm a guitarist with ADHD, so my focus time is limited lol. Thus, I wanted something simple & accurate. Better than merely eyeballing the neck, endless measuring, or using a digital gauge (Surprise! They never work). The GMC String Height Gauge could not make the setup process simpler. There's no guesswork or measuring other than making sure the strings touch the feeler gauge at the appropriate time. I honestly can't believe no one else is offering such a simple/efficient product for this purpose. GMC is now my first stop for any guitar-related tools/needs, and thank you again for the lightning-fast shipping! Best", Chris. L., Scottsdale AZ, USA.

SETTING UP YOUR INSTRUMENT

For best results, the following order of adjustment is recommended:

1. Set Neck Relief.

2. Set String Action.

3. Set Pick Up Heights

GENERAL

There is no requirement with this system to use a straight edge. 

The procedure is based on Fenders recommendation for simultaneously depressing the string at the 1st and last fret and measuring the relief at the 8th fret. The method enables this to be done in a manner that also leaves both hands free to make adjustments.

HOW MUCH RELIEF IS REQUIRED?

The neck should be slightly concave with a typical relief of 0.25mm from the top of the 8th fret to the underside of the strings for a 6-string Guitar. For fast light playing, the relief can be set lower to 0.15mm.

The amount of relief will ultimately be a matter of preference and how the instrument feels and sounds.

PROCEDURE

Fit a Capo at the 1st fret and ensure all strings are fretted.

Feed the String Action Gauge through the strings below the last fret as shown in the following photo.

Note 1st, 2nd, 4th & 5th strings pass over the gauge & the 3rd string runs underneath the gauge. The effect of this will cause the 3rd string to be fretted.

(Ensure the 3rd string is in contact with the last fret. If the current action is set high, and the 3rd string is not in contact with the fret, then the bridge should be lowered slightly until the 3rd string is fretted).

Position a feeler strip underneath the 3rd string at the 8th fret. (We recommend that the feeler gauge is cut to 55mm long to enable it to rest level on the guitar, between the 7th & 9th frets).

The truss should now be adjusted until the string rests on the feeler strip.

With the feeler in position as shown the change in relief can be seen in real time.

The advantages to this are:-

• Confirmation that the truss rod is being adjusted in the right direction.

• The truss rod only needs to be adjusted until the string contacts the feeler.

• The instrument can be adjusted in a comfortable position.

• User confidence that the relief has been set correctly.