Adjusting The Action Height On A Gibson - Guitar Maintenance Lesson

Adjusting The Action Height On A Gibson - Guitar Maintenance Lesson
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This lick shows off a slightly different approach to your blues soloing where we move with the chord. For the first part of lick 8 we move our major / minor pentatonic shape up to D7. This simply means that we are playing a D minor pentatonic shape 1 with a D major pentatonic shape 2 (plus that cool Texas blues 'out note') to highlight the sound of the five chord (D). We then move this whole lick down to C, as shown on the fretboard below: (See website)
For the sake of this video, we will be working towards a standard action height, which is three 32nds on the low string and two 32nds on the high string. If you are unsure as to what action you should work towards, this is a safe bet and will work for most rock / blues players. To be able to accurately measure and adjust the action, we need the following tools:
1. 6" rule with 32nds & 64ths
The ruler needs to have fine measurements as we are dealing in very subtle changes when adjusting the string height.
2. Small spanner
This isn't a necessity, but a small spanner like this well help you easily adjust the bridge height. It will also help t stop you damaging the bridge in any way by using more clunky, heavy duty tools.
When you come to measure and change your action, here is a simple checklist that will help guide you through the process.
1. Get your guitar into pitch
2. Take the ruler and place it on the 12th fret, measuring from fret to string
3. Measure the height on the low E string and the high E string
4. Based on your factory specs, or the basic measurements in the text above, decide if you need to go up or down on either side
5.Use the spanner to turn the cogs on both sides of the neck. Remember that clockwise will lower the action and anti-clockwise will raise it. Two or three turns is enough
6. Tune the guitar again and then re-measure, repeat until you hit the required measurements.
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[@ChiliDawgActual]

God get on with it

[@mathewkyser9598]

Host needs to let the tech talk.

[@kenjamin1439]

Double Chin Airsoft longer videos get more ad money $$$$$$

[@taokichavez9319]

@@mathewkyser9598 why?

[@shblair]

Not only is it filibuster guitar tech, but they seem to be from the Department of redundancy Department. Good info given, it's just a lot of work to glean from the video

[@Shutupletstalk]

@@shblair I'm gonna give them the benefit of the doubt and assume they're trying to meet the youtube 10-minute-video quota lol.

[@stuartbiddle6347]

Glasses man deserves a medal putting up with the interupting bearded man. 'Obviously'

[@onehappybanana2840]

These guys are proper cork sniffers. "Millimeters nowhere near accurate enough".

[@geraldhenrickson7472]

I questioned that myself. I use imperial except when I need accuracy. Then I use metric. What is going on here?

[@victorstriga]

Drink when he says "sure"

[@Bluren21]

Thanks I'm drunk

[@explorer806]

Sure

[@stephenchadwick5852]

I'm pissed 🤘

[@stephenchadwick5852]

Here's me thinking Americans waffle on

[@ghfdt368]

A lot of action height is personal preference. I usually have my action on all guitars bass 5/64 treble 4/64 which is a little higher than factory spec, I mostly play blues and my advice is to experiment a little with a tech to find the action you like.

[@bryanzaragoza4826]

This vid helped a lot, had buzzing on my low E but I just raised the bridge and it went away, thank you!!

[@rockandrollmd541]

Translation: 2mm Low E, 1.6mm high E.

[@kotymccallister5150]

That's really fucking high action

[@kotymccallister5150]

I set my les paul at 0.8mm at the highe and like 1.2mm at the low e

[@thelstancroix7555]

Kolton McCallister Yeah, I’m just assuming this is targeted to non lead players. I just purchased a Les Paul style guitar, tried soloing on it, but, found that the action was ridiculously high and made bends extremely difficult despite being at the right height.

[@vicesodan]

@@thelstancroix7555 That doesn't make sense, since bends are easier to do with higher action

[@thelstancroix7555]

Vice Šodan What I meant was, the guitar wasn’t set up incorrectly, but the action was set too high for lead playing, so I just decided to immediately lower the action afterward. Essentially saying that the way guitars with these style of bridges are set up and sent out isn’t incorrect, just not appropriate for lead playing. Also, when you’re playing up the neck at the higher register of the guitar, if the action is high it makes it difficult to play bends, if that makes sense.

[@emobile505]

This was helpful. I acquired a Les Paul Studio at a second hand music shop and never bothered to properly set it up. I pulled it out and noticed how buzzy the strings were. I was surprised to see that a Paul only has those two cogs at the bass and treble end, unlike my Fenders that allow each string individually. This confirmed that's by design.

[@redflamered]

Thank you. Very helpful.

[@tymotoboy53]

Thank you for this video to help me understand. The “guitar tech” at sam ash did a terrible job of setting up my firebird. It felt like he raised the action when I asked him to lower it. He shaved down the nut instead of lowering the bridge height. So now I’m not sure what to do.

[@Mikau-gb8uo]

I have my Jackson set at 1,5 mm at the last fret for all strings except for low E and A are a hair higher.. almost dead straight neck (very very slight relief)..

[@MrFacproductions]

When doing the neck relief should the bridge be all way to the bottom or ot my normal action height? Getting a lot buzzing when doing the relief past the 12 but evrutning before is fine going the other way with relief little measurements iv a bigger gap.

[@charlie-obrien]

Very informative. I just adjusted the action on my new Epi ES 335. It arrived fairly well set up but like most guitar companies they left the action a little higher than spec (I don't know why?). It plays much easier now. Thanks for the easy to follow steps.

[@yga]

Our pleasure :)

[@TheFunktipus1]

Ive got the Epi Dot. Thats why im watching this.

[@ddb82]

Thanks for the video guys!

[@piano2873]

Where can I get that spanner type wrench you used to turn the bridge wheels?

[@garyhull6689]

Really good

[@scottnorman408]

I guess we do things differently to obtain the same result but aren't you to put a capo on the first fret when adjusting string height? Thanks for the video.

[@alejely]

awesome, thanks

[@Chrisf432]

Wish that fella with the beard would shut up & stop interrupting - Let him finish his sentence man.

[@aurora71n30]

I want you guys to make a video explaining the balance and tension between the Stopbar and bridge, covering adjusting, balance etc. Can you please do that?

[@HrabeSowir]

I have a question. Does the tune-o-matic bridge have to be level? To get the proper string action I found out I have to raise the Lower E side of the bridge much more. Right now there is 2mm (5/64inch) difference. Is it a problem? Will it damage the guitar?

[@coffeecomics3583]

Both of my Gibson's are the same as you describe. It's normal. That's how they all are.

[@rickdixontn]

Using a ruler to measure at the 64th increments seems imprecise and subject to angle of sight, etc. Why not use a spacer for a more accurate measurement. You can also use a nickel (5/64) for the low string, and a dime 4/64 for the high string.

[@screamingscarecrow4251]

Thank you for the info.

[@Lysdexia]

Not ideal in Scotland tbqfhwy.

[@neve7595]

Thank you

[@hogtied12]

you shot the ruler on 11 and 12 frets together to keep it flat/level when taking the measurement

[@alanross2876]

what size allen key do you use for the bridge?

[@guyincognito320]

2/32 is about 1.6 mm. I have to go to lengths to get my LP or my Charvel that low. Curious how 2/32 treble is spec for a 339 style guitar. For me that is wonderfully low and is rare to ever wield a guitar that is so low without dead notes everywhere.

[@saibur7798]

Thank you for this information. I want to be clear about something that was said at the end. I’ve been playing tuned 1/2 step down for the longest time. Does that mean I should set the action on my LP to the suggested 5/64 on the low E and 2/32 on the high E - WHILE tuned down? TIA

[@NERDOFUNK]

Sure you can, doesnt matter, im on e-flat also with this kind of action

[@teodelnorte]

Guys, thanks for this explanation

[@Bill-bj9yx]

Does the TAILPIECE have to be even/level? As I have the BRIDGE slightly lower on the treble side for obvious reasons so I wasn't sure if I should have the TAILPIECE slightly at an angle also or always even?...Thanks!

[@12south31]

Tailpiece should be even and lowered all the way down. You will lose resonance if you raise it as the bottom will no longer touch and pass the vibrations properly.

[@AvnerRosenstein-ULTRA-LXV]

You guys should seriously do these vids for ESP, Solar etc. These are really nice!

[@RockWeller]

Hey guys! Greetings from Singapore! Was here from the previous video of adjusting the height of Fenders. In general, Gibson seems to always have a higher string action. Would it be because of the neck radius?

[@kernelspy]

Where do you get a spanner like that?

[@silverdragon0000120]

Where do you see the specs of how the guitar should be set up for Schecter guitars? I have a Floyd Rose and have no idea what I’m doing.

[@yga]

Hi there! Great question - We haven't come across any Schecter guitars before, but if it is Floyd Rose I would highly recommend taking it to a pro first. Just ask them to show you some tips so that you can do it in future. They are notoriously tricky to use!

[@ADoicin]

where do you get a ruler like that, where the 64ths are at the END of the ruler, and not somewhere in the middle?! it seems not so easy to find one!

[@thebipolarbear1]

My low e is like touching on the first fret. If I raise the strings the same way you did it should fix that correct? It's not unplayable but it has a real twangy sounds. Please let me know it's my first Les Paul I bought and I really want to play around with it. Thank you

[@yga]

Hi Chris! Bare with us a day or two whilst I get James to answer this question... Just want to make sure we give you the right advice, and James is the master of this stuff!

[@thebipolarbear1]

Your Guitar Academy that would be great I would really appreciate it. I just finally got a Les Paul and can't wait to play it

[@yga]

Ok, so here is what James said: "The Low E at the 1st fret could be a lack of relief in the neck, check that first. It could also be the nut is cut a little too low. However, if the nut is an adjustable nut as on the 2016/2018 LP’s (HP etc) then this can be raised on the bass side by the grub screw in the nut.. Adjusting the bridge height (as referred to) will raise the height but very minimally at the nut end, it’s more about the 12th fret action height... Sounds like it possibly needs some setting up rather than fiddling about, could make it worse! As a Gibson service centre we would be more than happy to check it out and if there’s a nut issue then this would be covered under warranty..." If you would like to contact James to have a chat please get in touch at [e-mail] - Maybe a better move rather than fiddling with a potentially tricky problem!

[@Schowelds]

Imperial for the win 🏆👏👏👏

[@bradfield2266]

What is that guitar model?

[@jcbrown5775]

Dude with the camera is fully unnecessary.... He's just interrupting the tech and mudding up the whole explanation

[@vincentsantiago2gmai]

do they need to use the capo then use string action or no capo just string action?🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️🤷🏻‍♂️

[@alig.20]

5:07 I need that tool.

[@oldrrocr8213]

thanks guys - exactly what I needed - turn counterclockwise to raise it.

[@aaronsmitheyarchitecturali3026]

What is the tool called for adjusting the bridge wheels and where can I find one. I have searched on line but can not find anything like that. I want one. Thanks

[@aaronsmitheyarchitecturali3026]

I found it...I heard "spanner". Thanks

[@yga]

Great! Thanks Aaron! I was going to suggest visiting the site, as there is more information there too: www.yourguitaracademy.com/courses/james-collins/lessons/action-height :)

[@68SSCAM]

They have a flat head that is facing the top where you can use a flat head screwdriver to adjust it as well.

[@charlie-obrien]

I used a pair of needle nose pliers with serrated nips. I put blue painters tape on the nips and on the body of the guitar under the adjusters to protect the finish. But I will probably get one of those "spanners". I like to have the tools that are specific to the guitars I own.

[@pauldelsignor2970]

Stewmac.com sells this tool

[@aedanmulligan5926]

what's the tool called

[@umutklckan4778]

OKAY!

[@patmillen9162]

What is that.. a 72 thinline fender in the background??? 😍

[@zanahmad5115]

I noticed this too ...

[@runningwithscissors0911]

yak, Yak, YAK ~ just DO IT already!

[@john-ob7bv]

Didnt know it was a 2 man job

[@MetalMathiasTP]

string height settings in mm please?

[@jleverette666]

What tool did you use to raise action

[@yga]

Hi Josh! You can find all the tools in the write up on our website - Just see the link in the description :)

[@danmancini4059]

The information is good, but god damn this video could have easily be shortened by 7 minutes

[@outsidethepyramid]

Is it possible to set a guitar up if you are blind?

[@jimme8499]

What about intonation ? Pretty important thing to miss out by the ' expert ' ?

[@Luvutoo]

Interesting to hear metric not being as useful in areas like this, and I was always told imperial is completely useless. Cool!

[@danyjr]

STOP SPEAKING OVER HIM! Jesus!

[@bmwscotty]

Let the man speak for God's sake

[@ChrisJordanGuitar]

Does anyone knows the actual specs (measures) for gibson Les Paul guitars?

[@yga]

Good question Chris! You may find that you can get something direct from Gibson if you have the issue number for your guitar? I imagine they will all be a little different depending on the year?

[@whirlybird3189]

Perfect setup will get you 5 and 3 in 64ths.

[@fryingwiththeantidote2486]

sure

[@allanreeling1067]

Why on earth don't they use feeler gauges, my eyes can't deal with 1/32" , plus accurate measurement depends on getting the rule at 90degrees to the fretboard.

[@MrCarlos1335]

THE TECH GUY SHOULD DO HIS OWN VIEDO ,,,ALONE, WITH OUT INTERFERENCES FROM A WANT TO BE EXPERT,,MY ADVICE DON'T EVER USE THIS GUY EVER ,AGAIN ,,,,,PLEASE

[@BzBlade]

Suppose to measure in playing position not on it's back because gravity pulls the strings down..

[@yga]

Yes you are absolutely bang on, and we do mention that at some point - It's just for the sake of the cameras that we lie it on its neck. Great point though, and worth reiterating.

[@charlie-obrien]

At 5:52 he puts the guitar on it's side to check action height.

[@jeffreyprice773]

Hi guys what about first fret action.

[@yga]

Hi Jeffrey! Thanks for watching :) What do you mean exactly? Does your first fret buzz or cause you problems?

[@jeffreyprice773]

Your Guitar Academy , The gap between the top of the first fret and the bottom of the strings, my Epiphone Sheraton Pro II vs has a gap of o.030" gap at the 6th string to the first fret graduating lower, to much fo me, i think it says this in the epi manual chart.

[@yga]

Hi Jeffrey! Ok so here's what James had to say: "The nut to 1st fret height on the bass side should be approx 0.020” (+/- 0.002) getting slightly lower with the thinner strings, sounds like the Bass E is sitting too high in the nut which would cause sharpness over the first few frets. Check the neck relief is correct before filing the nut slot a little.. " Hope that helps!

[@jeffreyprice773]

Your Guitar Academy, thanks for reply, I've taken the nut off and I'm going to shave 0.010" off across the width of the bottom the nut then check it, cheers.

[@SaviourMusic]

Metric system is always better

[@yga]

Thanks Retrola-G, and yes you're probably correct about that. Thanks for watching :)

[@veerchasm1]

Yay Jimmy Carter

[@TheGr0nch]

Except when it's confusing (like on a guitar)

[@frankie4321]

The US will convert to metric soon and the Mexicans will pay for it . 😄

[@nateklug5933]

Frank Baldan they better since they keep crossing our border illegally we need to put the stupid muts to work

[@niftybman]

My man explained what a radius is... sent me back to high school geometry tf

[@antcontreras]

Considering there are action gauges that rest on 3 or more frets (and thus you are assured to take a measurement that is truly square, subject to neck bow) I can't understand why you'd want to teach a wobbly method. I get this doesn't require nuclear centrifuge precision, but still...

[@Ed-ch2qv]

what if i buzz?

[@Ed-ch2qv]

Emil Andersen the buzz doesnt get heard when i use an amp, it buzzes acoustically though, and still sustains

[@isaacrnd]

wiw ed You ever found a solution to this?

[@Ed-ch2qv]

isaac rendon not yet but it got less when i got it set up

[@heres2ya]

the camera guy talks to much.

[@phenixreturns]

seconds?

[@Chromak3y]

It represents the number of divisions in the measuring instrument.

[@jussit3909]

I can understand why these American guitar companies use imperial system, but metric translation would still be nice to get.

[@jamesfulton8310]

I counted two trillion "OK's"

[@biffelliotforpresident]

Seems like an autopsy. “Chune it. Always chune.”

[@MrCarlos1335]

SHOULD HAVE DONE TWO VIDEOS ONE WITH YOU GUYS GETTING TO KNOW EACH OTHER AND TWO, THE WRONG WAY TO SET UP A GUITAR .

[@cragway]

Didn't know Adam Savage was a guitar tech

[@thomasdayton8227]

Sweet Jesus, would have been so much better with just one of them. Old beard guy just couldn't bear to let young guy make a point.

[@alig.20]

Old man doesnt have a beard sir

[@thomaspeters5889]

You could've edited the crap out of this video...too much chatter.

[@iwxo]

just let the guy speak! hhaha

[@KaptainCanuck]

As you erroneously refer to them, frets are not level. There are three parts to the neck surface: fretboard, frets and fretwires. Officially and technically speaking, frats are the spaces on the fretboard between the fret wires. Modern people seem to think that they know more than the people who invented stringed instruments

[@mikeray2371]

No I want to talk! No I want to talk! I’m smarter! No I’m smarter!

[@900rr]

No, we use S.A.E. Standard American Equivalent.

[@f.i.l.d.e.p.s]

not because imperial is more finer but its got to do more about american uses imperial as their standard of measurement. gibson n fender are american brands.

[@Lordofthethings2]

So just to make sure, the correct height is 5 64ths at the bass side and 4 64ths at the treble side? Sorry, coming from the rest of the planet which uses metric system and this all sounds like gobbledygook. My head hurts.

[@yga]

Yes that is correct, and you can find more written details here: www.yourguitaracademy.com/courses/james-collins/lessons/action-height I'm sure that'll help :) :)

[@TheGr0nch]

Just learn both. The U.S. does it lol

[@nateklug5933]

endocry were smarter than u

[@Dr.Jekyll]

Nate Klug, you mean “we’re,” which is a contraction for “we are.” You typed “were.” Use proper grammar before telling someone how smart you are.

[@Dr.Jekyll]

Asmistdescends, ever hear of quarter notes, half notes, eighth notes, sixteenth notes, 32nd notes, 64th notes? They are fractions. I guess your planet that you spoke of is in a different universe than mine, where math and music are the universal languages. Yes, my remark is somewhat snide, but that is only in response to your snide remark. You clearly have internet access and could have just as easily looked up what you’re asking about. Instead, you just wanted to whine about the system of measurement.

[@goodboyringo9716]

That Gibson is a cs336, the guitar I love and the one Gibson took away from the average working man.

[@riffdigger2133]

Verbose, much?

[@davegatescomposer]

"...sure"

[@adamhorvath7514]

I feel as though you have misled the public a bit by displaying "as fact" that a 9.5 or 7.25 radius neck will not allow for proper bending needed for various styles of music while a 12in radius neck is the way to go. Once I hear this type of lingo I can no longer respect anything afterward.

[@yga]

Hi Adam, apologies if that is how this came across but we know just as well that a great playing could pick up a toy guitar and make them sing! Apologies for that, hopefully you still enjoyed some of the video.

[@michaelmendillo4614]

Come on guys ! Stop all the Bullshit and lets get hands on !!!! Thank You ! UGH !!!

[@bjangofett1]

You're british! Use the metric system!

[@sunburstshredder]

They did say that the small increments of millimeters are harder to work with

[@pinball3524]

Sometimes.. its smart to NOT be a smart mouth

[@davesaenz3732]

I couldn't continue watching.

[@patrickgillooly4600]

Stop interrupting the guy. It's not about you!

[@soundboy57]

Redo the video without Beardus Interuptus. (Shut up the beard man)

[@andreaslundell7807]

Thats some poor excuse for not using mm. I doubt People outside North America, maybe limys, even have such a ruler i their stores. One 32 of an inch = o,8 mm, one 64= 0,4mm. A serious show would at least mention the equivalent measure in mm. Even here in the US younger People often use millls, or booth, dealing with small distances. For example I've heard Philip McNight use mm instead of imperial several times. We dont use old Egyptian units of measure to describe the size of the pyramids.

[@billythekid2281]

Use a metric vernier caliper. Leave the backwards imperial system to the Americans!

[@blutausbeherit]

And somehow we still manage to be the largest economy in the world lol

[@DaemonRicks]

@@blutausbeherit heard of China lol. No offense mate. America's still great but metrics is cool ;)

[@user-fb8yb8so8n]

Ugh dont interrupt eachother with fun facts, you brits

[@christiand7437]

Too technical for me

[@Waakko2112]

9 minutes of them not showing us how to adjust string height

[@franciskok4578]

That guy who's interrupting the tech is really annoying.

[@drtyblll8014]

Dude I do not care. clockwise or counterclockwise

[@jeromegillain4549]

The talked so much, I left.

[@NewMillCityHippie]

What are they talking about? Seconds ?? Talk metric system instead, as the rest of the world does

[@bryantherocker]

TOO MUCH BLABBER AND NONSENSE .. DISLIKE DISLIKE DISLIKE

[@ariobintangnugraha1916]

I enjoyed the video until they start bad mouthing the metric system.