EASY Acoustic Guitar Action Improvement - string height Adjustment - simple tools

No Special Tools Required
basic action adjust on acoustic guitar with simple tools .. very easy... Do it yourself Action adjustment for acoustic guitar. Neck adjust, Truss rod adjust, Nut adjusts, String height adjust, Saddle adjust
I have been playing guitars for over 50 years and have been building and repairing them for over 48.... my dad was a master machinist, gun smith, mechanical engineer and electronics guy so I grew up in a true DIY environment
I think most repair guys want to make it seem hard ..ITS NOT .. a few tools and a bit of understanding and you are good to go .. hope this little vid helps you on your way

[@Farah-uo4jb]

you had me at "hi"

[@DementedDaveH]

Best video I've seen on the subject. Straight talking, no nonsense, everything you need to know explained really well.

[@grimbolyorum6929]

There are too many negative comments here. So let me set the record straight. I followed your instructions on a brand new Seagull Artist Studio. And I've got the action down perfect. Didn't need to adjust the truss rod or the nut, only cut the saddle one string at a time. No buzzing and it plays great.Thanks

[@PaulO-gx2bn]

Great logical sequence with excellent explanation of each step-by-step action - Thanks

[@brentmeeks9819]

Been doing something like this for 45 years. Thanks for teaching me the right way, outstanding.

[@stringbender57]

Exceptionally well explained! I follow your outlined procedure almost to the "T". I too have played for over 50 years, 38+ years as a full-time professional, and have been repairing guitars for about 45 years as well. MY dad was also an electronics guy and a very crafty, meticulous builder of many things all the way up from model planes to ultra light planes and gyro-copters. Seems you and I have a lot in common. Now subscribed!

[@GlennMichaelThompson]

Extremely well explained. No B.S. and to the point.

[@CalebHubbartt]

What a great, straightforward explanation, I think I’ve been overthinking and winging it all these years

[@TheDarryl360]

I have set up a few electric guitars,and recently my son came home with a cheapie Dean acoustic with a very high action and slightly bowed neck.. Having never worked on an acoustic..I first adjusted the truss rod getting the bow out of the neck I removed all the strings and removed the bridge discovered 2 plastic shims I removed both ,restrung and tuned up. It was better BUT I thought if I sanded a bit off the bottom of bridge it would be playable. It worked well ! I figured if I screwed up the bridge I would simply order another one and start again... after all it would only be $10.00 or $15.00 to get hold of a new one. Your technique works for you and that is fine.. each to his own I say Thanks for the video showing another way to work out a solution !

[@roderickpatterson5218]

Good insight and good presentation. Articulate and patient tutorial. I'm not going to toot my own horn but I am a GIT/AIM grad, (89). I've played since 12, over 30 years. I'd have to roll this video 4 stars! I'd give it 5 except there are no contingencies to show how to correct the fret buzz and heaven forbid a severe buzz. Still a fine demonstration! !!

[@jims41]

Roderick Patterson I agree, as some who has been in the training environment for years it was a solid presentation.

[@detritus10001]

Oh my God, you are a hero! Man, i just got a second hand Takamine, and the action was far higher than my old one. I was regretting the purchase until this.

[@calebproductions5970]

Wow cool

[@ToddHudsonAtl]

Thanks Roger. Way easier than using special gauges. Very practical and effective.

[@thebrainard]

+Todd Hudson thanks for the kind words Todd... much appreciated

[@stephanb3544]

Fantastic dude 👏 I setup all my guitars as you showed and very satisfied of results. Much easier to play. Thanks Bro be blessed !!

[@thebrainard]

thank you for taking the time to comment .. sooo glad for you

[@hbasm3271]

Best video on the subject that I've seen. Well done.

[@AlanWoodbungonia]

Great tutorial, been playing for 55 years and I learned some new stuff!

[@robertnewell5057]

Loved your very clear explanation! One thing which I don't think you mentioned, but a lot of people are confused by this - it doesn't matter if the truss rod adjusts at the headstock or body end: it's always righty tighty lefty loosey!

[@jcarndt1]

Excellent tutorial. Finally a method that makes sense, without all the rocket science. Thank you

[@PmrGuitar]

Thank you so much for this video. I had this guitar forever with such a high action. It increatble to driffrent it made shaving down the bridges. It never been touch in like 15 years. This guitar so easy to play now. Thank you so much

[@paulg2100]

Man your voice is relaxing lol. I literally was watching this and fell asleep, just woke up 30 min later and had to rewatch the vid 😂. Not saying your boring or nothing ,I love the vid just exhausted today from work and your voice is just soothing

[@thebrainard]

lol Thats my anti hubba hubba voice :)

[@thomascorbett6627]

you are awesome! I wish we had you tube and some guys like you when we were young bloods don't you ? you are right again when you say a lot of guitar repair guys want everyone to think it's hard to set up a guitar or intonation etc etc . thanks so much FG or the strait forward advice you are a gentleman and a scholar sir. God bless T.C

[@boogiefur]

I was always sort of scared to screw up my guitar by adjusting the truss rod, and your video just improved the action my guitar substantially. This was after getting turned away by a music store last week as if the guitar either was beyond repair or not worth working on (not a terrible one - an older takamine fp360). No more concave neck after three slight adjustments, and the action is a million times better.

[@loganhasbrouck5029]

I enjoyed this. You're a good teacher. I've been adjusting my electric guitars for years. But I never messed with acoustics. This was very helpful. Thank you!

[@brucegill1903]

WOW! Thanks for this video! I have never attempted to do a setup on a guitar. To hear some people's opinion on this, you'd think a guitar set up is comparable to rocket science! Someone gave me a vintage Aria guitar that had sat in a closet for years and was in dire need of help. After watching this video I went ahead and and did everything as you instructed. Sidenote: The action was way high, and the neck had a slight bow before. Now the action is considerably lower and more playable without loss of intonation, and no fret buzz! I think, like you said. "Take it slow" is key in the process here. Thanks again! This is a concise, and straightforward video.

[@thebrainard]

Thank you for the kind words and taking the time to respond. Glad this helped you out!!

[@oqsy]

Brilliantly explained and executed. 10/10 would adjust again.

[@mobius1yellow13]

Thank you Mr Roger Brainard. I understand and comprehend everything you said but you blew my mind with sharing and demonstrating with the most common tools that any guitar player has. I'm speaking Acoustic setups. You simplified it perfectly. Thanks again 5 Star rating 5 equals 110%

[@bapa1]

Mine was consistantly high across the bridge. Took the piece out and filed the bottom keeping it perfectly straight, but took off about 1/8th inch. Worked perfectly.

[@redneckoutlaw2134]

by far the best video I have seen on this subject you totally broke it down so easy to understand great video brother

[@drjwbriand]

hey excellent explanations and instructions for u s luthier-challenged bums out here! i made a vast improvement in playability and intonation by simply following your methods.thank you very much! i am telling my buddies to watch and learn also! rock on brother!

[@ajpegg2932]

This is an excellent tutorial. Your approach is so clear and methodical. Many thanks for posting.

[@billburgess9100]

Great video. I was concerned about the sequence of neck/strings adjustments and he cleared that up right away. Thanks.

[@notyourpapa]

Every othe tutorial has people set the nut height first. Your way of doing the saddle first with the capo on the first fret makes way more sense to me. Takes one part out of the equation. Thank you sir.

[@joshuabrande2417]

A very well done video. The instructions and explanations are clear and easy to understand. Thanks.

[@paulpaci7009]

One thing of note is that some guitars actually have a shim or two under the bridge saddle. Most guitars are set with medium action height. You might be lucky and just remove one of the shims which will lower the action without filing or sanding. Found this in a book on acoustic guitar making a few years back.

[@Life-of-Bluegrass_Music]

Only cheap Chinese ,Korean guitars use shims. If a guitar has shims. The guitar is being robbed of sound and most likely has a plastic saddle bone in it. Med strings are the best strings for sound. Light strings has no volume. In a jam session using lights . You will never be heard unless you have a mic. As far light and med strings, if you take lights off and replace with meds, and you get buzz. Your action is set way to low from the start. Most of the time shims are used to stop buzz. Or it's a cheap new guitar from China or Korea. With a plastic saddle and neck has never been set.

[@EdY-rr1cp]

Thank you, I have an old beat up Yamaha I bought for 25 bucks and it needs exactly what you are doing removing buzzes. Playing long acoustic sessions with a high action is murder on fingers.

[@peter7624]

Excellent! And I thought it was just about the truss rod! Many thanks for educating me with your excellent video!

[@thebrainard]

thank you for the kind words sooooo glad it helps

[@venusssharman5922]

Fabtastic! Thank you so much i was not sure if i could do this type of work myself, but thanks to your excellent video i now have to confidence to go ahead. Venuss - London UK x

[@venusssharman5922]

Great instructional video Roger. Enjoyed the simplicity of it. Am so thankful !

[@108ashtangi]

I like it! Makes sense and I’m looking forward to some lower action and not going back and forth-nut-saddle-truss rod over and over. Thanks- a ton.

[@telboy1966manu]

What a great video, so informative. Thanks for sharing your expertise, it's really appreciated. I always wondered how to lower the action on an acoustic...now I know!!

[@sibzilla]

Thanks. Watched a few vids on this and found your instructions were really nice and clear. Appreciate the guidance.

[@thomasnix31]

Of all the string height adjustments offered here on KZbin , I believe this to be the most orderly, simply explained, and with minimum basic tools. Every step was timed just right allowing your info to sink in , and then you moved forward at a pace that even a young adult could understand and work with. Your 3 steps, the truss rod, then the saddle, and lastly the nut. Thank you so much for sharing this with the public. Superb Job..........

[@PERRYS_PROPS]

Before you start filing down the saddle notch, check to see if there are slims under the it; some guitars like the Ovations have a couple of shims under the bridge for easy adjustments

[@charlie-obrien]

That is definitely a feature of Ovation guitars, But others do it also, so it's always worth at least a look see, under the saddle to see what's what. Roger's technique of filing down the notches instead of sanding the bottom of the saddle makes more sense to me as you can ruin your saddle by sanding unevenly and causing it to make improper contact with your pick up if you have one there.

[@rickyj2013]

I learned a lot from this and set up my guitar perfectly afterwards. Thanks, that’s one hell of a coke nail by the way.

[@thebrainard]

no coke - pepsi

[@artiesag1]

Best string setup video "EVER" ♫♫♫ Thank You ♫♫♫

[@vsatya4364]

Thank you! Roger. Its good folks like you who make guitar playing interesting. Love your passion and care you put into the video and answering questions. God Bless You! Keep up the good work!🙏

[@thebrainard]

I appreciate that!

[@RaysTrack]

Excellent tutorial, clearly demonstrated - thanks. Everyone I've come across take the saddle out and sand the bottom edge so the radius stays the same. However, that only works if it has the original saddle, properly radiused. NB: I wish all manufacturers had truss rod access from the sound hole instead of having to take off a cover at the head. Great job.

[@AchillesWrath1]

I don't know if this is the right way to file the saddle down but it probably works. It look like the easy cheat method. The way i've seen it done is they take measurements and sand down the bottom of the saddle.

[@thebrainard]

I think i explain my rational for doing it this way ... it is easy to file the saddle down to the notches and articulate it after you get the height right .. and this is under the EASY category :)

[@jameswilson3554]

thank you for posting .. i have never found an acoustic that the action and string height impressed me ..i did play a d-45 martin that was unbelievable.. i like extremely low strings no buzz..that is a beautiful guitar you have in this video.....

[@charlie-obrien]

Nice video with common sense techniques to improve your action on an acoustic. I have 2 that need just a small tweek and other videos I have watched don't feel as concerned with using a finer touch, like you have shown here. Your solution for getting the nut just right, is as good as I have ever seen and your instruction has probably saved many, many nuts from the dreaded "over sanding" through the years.

[@thebrainard]

thank you for the kind words .. I really did try to make this easy and effective

[@jebac69]

Great video! Every very guitar player should know this 👍

[@marian9445]

This helped me adjust my action with no issues. Thanks for the nice video!

[@JohnWick-lu9mk]

I like your guitar ... I love the ship drawn on the body of the guitar 💓

[@thebrainard]

thanks.. its a woodburning done by a good friend .. I have a few others on other wooden things ...sort of tattoo

[@joeys24]

All you folks poo-poo-ing this easy method -- where are your free KZbin Videos showing the so-called "proper way" to adjust acoustic guitar action? I thank Roger for his easy to both understand and apply method. Furthermore he has a wonderful speaking voice. While I agree that a set of nut files would have been a better choice; I'll bet he used the type of file that he did because he figured a novice like myself would have quick access to that type of file. Rock on Roger!

[@josephliptak]

Wow great advice. I got low Acton now and I can really strum hard. I got my low e at 9/64 and high e at 7/64 at the 12th fret. No buzzing anymore plus I can play slide really good with my lower action.

[@stephenhenion8304]

Lots of great technique here!!. Thanks. I got it!!🎵🎶🎵

[@alakans216]

Very Good right to the point for DIY people. Thank you for sharing your knowledge and experience with us.

[@thebrainard]

You are very welcome

[@thomaslau9631]

I actually do two steps at the saddle (1) grooving at the top part to figure out the action height (2) replace a new saddle and sand down the saddle height from the bottom.

[@thebrainard]

advanced technique :)

[@ishgumi44]

Love Seagull Artists, especially the older ones from the Nineties. great sound and quality.

[@ParaBellum2024]

Good to see you using non-specialist tools (I do too), although I don't use the same methods as you. For instance, I'd remove material from the bottom of the saddle rather than filing the top.

[@RByrne]

Great tutorial! Thanks I actually just picked up a Seagull in a trade. Beautiful guitar, just needs a decent setup. Its my first acoustic since I was a kid, but I generally do all the work on my electrics so I figured I'd give it a go.

[@wyattsdad8561]

Nice job explaining this procedure. In my opinion, it was really good. I just don't agree with notching the saddle. The saddle is already shaped to the contour of the neck and if too high, it should be removed and sanded at the bottom to keep the correct contour shape. If one string is high near the bridge, chances are, they all are going to be too high, which is why most people would say to remove material from the bottom of the saddle. Again, nicely done. Thank you for sharing.

[@robertmorandi3947]

Great stuff! Sounds like you know what your doing!! In easy steps I will TRY my 12 string adjustment. Wish me luck!

[@Pazaluz]

Thanks for the video ! You have a good voice for these kinda things :D

[@jbann23]

Loosening and re-tightening the b and e strings usually causes them to break. Good to have spares handy just in case.

[@thebrainard]

i will give it a 'can' .. but if the wrap on the machine is correct I don't have that prob. ..if i had no spares i probably would tho

[@thecareyaffair]

Awesome vid..........thx heaps from sydney asutralia👍

[@thebrainard]

thank you for watching and the kind words !!

[@micjam1986]

I just went to guitar class... thank you sir!!!!

[@mixalizambetas3215]

Nice clear instruction very helpful.... thanks.... (Mike. North East England. ) 🎸👍

[@thebrainard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@rickwieland7920]

thank you. great video, especially for someone like me who is just learning to do this.

[@232Stangpwr]

Thank you so much! I can finally make my mom's old acoustic Yamaha play nice again!!!

[@eff_gee321]

I just came to look at the badass guitar

[@thebrainard]

lol it has been a good one .. well loved.. have a great day

[@rickeydenler2385]

I watched alot of videos on string height i followed you instruction my norman (sea gull) is setup better than ever nice and low 13 to 56 strings i like to flat pick nice and loud no buzz of any type thanks a lot for the awesome video !!

[@thebrainard]

Great to hear!

[@ZZ-jc9rq]

i know how..but been looking for some new approaches or to learn things i dont know..i like your simple and basic yet direct approach to the way you present your lesson man 👍👍

[@thebrainard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@snakeeyes3733]

The saddle should be radiused to the bridge without resorting to cutting slots in the saddle with a file, by sanding the underside until you reach the required height. And if you're gonna cut slots (not that you should anyway) you would not use a three cornered file, you want to use a proper nut slot file, each sized per string and then use your radius gauges to match you slots to the frets.

[@thenar]

Thank you Roger, this was well done and very helpful. I learned a few things that I"ve been doing kinda wrong. Best.

[@kylekeller5111]

Very good lesson on guitar repair, thanks!!!!!

[@kylekeller5111]

This gentleman knows his stuff

[@rosalindledingham2311]

Kyle Keller !

[@ThePuertoricanBeastJonathan]

I suggest you do the truss rod adjustment in playing position

[@bradleyjferrell]

thanks this helped me adjust my ovation and its perfect

[@edgailmoss4056]

Thanks...👍

[@InsideTheStadium]

Your a Rock Star Roger, thank you. This helps so much, cheers

[@thebrainard]

thank you for the kind words and the watch .. glad this helped!!!

[@justjames1111]

Really helpful video, thanks Roger.

[@thebrainard]

Glad it was helpful!

[@clivepurdom2850]

Very informative, with clear precise instructions

[@Flaw93]

thank you for the lesson my good sir, i have struggle with this problem in a very long time, and i finally found a video that clear out those struggle with simple instructions, again THANK YOU AND HAVE A VERY GOOD DAY MA MAN

[@ektopia]

Thanks for this. Very informative. I have an old 12 string that I'll have a tinker with. Cheers.

[@Ficadoorable]

Top notch video! The only thing I would add Rodger is this: Your guitar in the demo is obviously not new (no dig there) however it should be noted that many NEW guitars come with additional (removable) shims already "stored" under the bridge. They do this because they do not know if the guitar is being sold into a humid or dry climate. The manufacturer thus usually "over shims" the bridge so that the only adjustment needed would be shim removal. Truth be told, many guitarists are not aware of this "extra shims" factor so a guitar can change hands many times without the bridge/shims ever having been removed. So, I would add the step in your video (if possible) to first check for extra shims under the bridge.

[@thebrainard]

thanks for the good words ... very good point .. shims are also a potential tone killer acoustically and for the pickup .. most of the ones I have seen are mylar or nylon .. dull the tone .. soo yes it would certainly not be a bad idea to check during a string change ...hmmmmm that guitar was new 20 or so years ago... what happened :)

[@webgomer]

Great tutorial and a good starting point for beginners. I am OCD as hell, so I must have everything perfect; perfectly formed slots, grooves, no scratch marks in the bone, etc. And I would be doing a lot of measuring of the strings in relation to the frets at each step of the set-up. That being said, I would only rely on the measurements to keep me in safe territory as I cut, so as not to overdo things - like you said: "A little at a time." I think you may have missed, or intentionally left a few minor details out, maybe to simplify this task for the video, but certainly nothing that would be detrimental to the guitar or the set-up. This was a nice instructional tutorial for learning how to "properly" set up an acoustic guitar, without using height gauges and straight-edges. I enjoyed your video - Thanks Roger!

[@kevernepointon4033]

thank you for the video, very straight forward, and easily explained

[@danieldillon3103]

Great video. Badazz guitar! Nice und simple as it should be explained.

[@Warpriest77]

I always just removed material from the bottom of the bridge saddle with sandpaper

[@thebrainard]

that works too .. i just prefer this way for a few reasons

[@mrfester42]

The way shown in the video is ideal because it allows you to make adjustments for each individusl string while sanding the bottom of the saddle adjusts them all at once. There's no way to fine tune between strings doing it your way.

[@chipahoy3530]

@@mrfester42 Sure there is, lower the entire action evenly by sanding the bottom of the saddle, re-string (or place capo on first fret to preserve strings, and just re-saddle), tune-up, set truss-rod, file beneath individual strings to fine-tune action if/as needed. This is how I was taught to do it in a repair shop, you do both unless the guitar only needs very small adjustments to individual strings, which usually isn't the case for people bringing their guitars into a shop. This way you aren't wasting time grinding under each string to lower to overall action. There's no one right way to do it, but this to me seems the most thorough.

[@tyrssen1]

Great vid! The only thing I'd add, is that a notched straight-edge is invaluable. The notches allow it to sit flat on the neck, over the strings. To check frets, it can be set on the neck so that it isn't touching the fretboard, just the frets. Well worth fifteen bucks for a Chinese cheapie on E bay.

[@pureeviljb]

great video!!! some of this I knew but the rest of it a bit Fuzzy but you brought it all into focus with just the right amount of detail and explanation. awesome.

[@randylane5845]

great video roger, I have an older epi master craft acoustic no electronics. my fav. guitar. I keep it on a stand all the time I know for the last two yrs anyway. i'm always playing it so I never put it in the case. I change the strings about every 6 - 7 months.. I changed them two wks ago and when I tightened my stings back up, they were laying on the neck of my guitar and no matter what I did I couldn't fix it, I tried.. but i got lucky the body of my guitar was bowed out around the bridge like you said could happen, but what I found out, it is, and was caused by my guitar drying out. my house is really dry no moisture, so I was told to take a baggie fold it cut it with scissors three cuts, open the bag take a thick wash rag soak it with water.. ring it out so water doesn't run out of it, but it's still very moist. pull back your strings at the sound hole and push the bag with the rag in it, into the guitar, make sure to tighten your strings with as much tension as possible like when it's tuned. put it in the case set it up and leave it for a few days... SO, I did it WORKED So, the best thing I learned was get a Humidifier for your house or at least one room I believe a guitar even electrics should be in around 40% humidity . that should keep any guitar from warping.... thanks roger for your videos

[@thebrainard]

just WOW !!! have never tried the wet rag thing ... its pretty humid most of the time where i am .. glad it worked

[@billffitch1787]

Hey Randy, I was too cheap to buy a humidifier for my guitars, so I did similar using some small sponges in sealed sandwich bags,a couple of slices in one side only, tied to a string and used a popsicle sick as an anchor. Worked real slick. Just make sure to put sliced side on the bag facing up.

[@chusssMusic]

Great video Roger. Thanks.

[@dorpisto7379]

Very informative. Thanks.

[@George1mac]

What a great video....a true pro with great communication skills. Thanks so much...will be watching your other videos......

[@thebrainard]

Thank you sir... they are a great sleep aid :)

[@jamesvanvleet5027]

Awesome video Roger. Thank you for this. Been struggling a bit with setup on my Charvel 12-string and thanks to you it is once again fun to play.

[@richardmarino5658]

Nice explanation. Thank you.

[@pepelepew2142]

YES SIR WELL EXPLAINED AND SIMPLE , WITHOUT ALL THAT GARBAGE

[@Shaolin9424]

Thanks man! Excellent video.

[@paulgoff6914]

Can always count on an old Nam vet to help me set up my guitar👍

[@LisaManningMusic]

Great video man. Everything was explained really well. Thanks!

[@piemmetubo]

The Columbus egg to lower the action of an acoustic or classic guitar! Thank you sooo much!