"The GMC String Height & Neck Relief guide could not make the setup process simpler. There's no guesswork or measuring other than making sure the string touches the feeler gauge & appropriate frets at the same time." - (See full review opposite).
 
PROCEDURE FOR SETTING GUITAR NECK RELIEF, STRING ACTION & PICKUP HEIGHTS:
 
For best results, the following order of adjustment is recommended:
Set Neck Relief.
Set String Action.
Set Pick Up Heights.
 
HOW MUCH GUITAR NECK RELIEF IS REQUIRED?
The amount of relief required for a guitar neck is down to personal preference.
 
A general guideline is 0.25mm (regular playing) – 0.15mm (faster/light playing).
 
The fret condition will be a significant factor in the amount of relief achievable – and the final setup will be determined by how the instrument plays.
 
Neck Relief is measured from the top of the fret (usually the 8th fret), to the underside of the strings. The procedure for using this kit is based on Fenders recommendation for depressing the string simultaneously at the 1st and last frets and measuring the relief at the 8th fret, using the string itself as the straight edge.
 
This kit allows the guitar neck relief to be easily set within the above values and leaves both hands free to make adjustments. The feeler strip lengths are designed for laying horizontal onto the top of the 8th fret. This removes the unsteadiness from a hand held feeler and the relief is easy to see. Changes to the relief can be immediately observed as the truss rod is adjusted. This provides instant confirmation whether the truss rod is working correctly and if the neck is being adjusted in the right direction.
 
STRING ACTION
Guitar String Action Height at the 12th fret for a 6-string electric guitar is typically 1.5mm at High 'E' rising to 2.0mm at Low 'E'. This is generally considered as providing good tone with medium finger strength required for playing. This gauge allows the action to be quickly and precisely set to the above values without any requirement for additional measuring tools.
 
Final action on the instrument will be governed by fret condition and individual preference. From the initial setting, the string height can be easily adjusted up or down to suit particular requirement.
 
GUITAR STRING ACTION GAUGE THICKNESS
The thickness of the gauge increases progressively across the width of the fretboard to allow for the increase in string diameters. (See diagram).
 
Thickness @ 1st  String:   1.50mm 
Thickness @ 6th  String:   2.00mm
 
SETTING THE INITIAL STRING ACTION
Simple to use:
Insert the gauge underneath the strings at the 12th fret and lower the bridge/saddles until the strings are muted.
 
ADJUSTING THE STRING ACTION
To lower the action: Move the gauge to the 13th fret and re-adjust the saddles/bridge until the strings are muted again.
To raise the action: Move the gauge to the 11th fret and re-adjust the saddles/bridge until the notes are audible again.
It is possible to set a combination of these - Plain/Treble strings set with lower action and Bass/Roundwound strings set with higher action.
 
SETTING PICK UP HEIGHTS:
After setting the string action, the gauge can also be used to set the pick up heights.
Place the gauge on top of the pick up poles and adjust the pick up height until the strings contact the gauge with the last fret position fretted.
 
Set comprises of:-
Guitar String Action Gauge
0.25mm Feeler Gauge Strip
0.15mm Feeler Gauge Strip
Capo
 
The kit includes 1x Guitar String Action Gauge as per radius size selected. Additional String Action Gauges can be purchased from the separate menu. (Please note that this system is not suitable for bass guitars).
 
RELATED PRODUCTS:
Please see the Product Category  page for related items.