How to Set Guitar Action in Minutes With a Credit Card. Easiest Method

I have this easy method to set guitar action height I wanted to share with everyone. There are of course more “proper” ways to achieve this, but this is so simple I think it was worth everyone trying before going through a more elaborate process.

Also I repeatedly mispronounce INTONATION in this video and mistakenly say “inotation “. I am aware of the mistake so no need to reference it in the comments unless you really enjoy being a word Nazi

Thanks for watching

[tony_n]

I'd like to add that if you cannot get the action as low as you'd prefer by using this method, you may want to take your guitar to a technician at your local guitar store, or possibly to a luthier in your area if you're not comfortable with making adjustments to your guitar. Usually the problem resides in one of two places. Either the neck is not properly relieved, or you may have high frets causing this problem. There are a million videos on YouTube that show you how to check for proper neck relief and also how to adjust it using the truss rod. You can also check for high frets using a Fret Rocker..(can be found on Amazon for 10.00 or less) If you find high frets, then they either need to be tapped down a little (don't do this yourself, you WILL dent the frets) or your frets may need to be spot leveled, crowned and polished. If you've got a cheap guitar and some tools at home, it may be worth trying to watch a few videos to learn the basics... However, if you have an expensive guitar (anything north of 1, 000) you may want to have a professional take a look at it. Nothing can deter and frustrate guitar players more than a guitar with a terrible setup, it's worth the money to have your guitar setup and playing well, you will find so much more enjoyment when you practice or play.

[baknss]

You can also use multiple cards if you prefer a higher action

[tpap]

Great advice. I never attempt to adjust.action because I don't have the guitar string height measuring tool. When I take in my Les Paul for a set up and have it restrung I end up paying 6-10 bucks for strings as I usually buy them in bulk and get the cost pretty low. Then I end up paying $100 for a truss rod adjustment and the tune-o-matic bridge adjustment (which is obviously far less labor intensive than the saddle adjustment on a strat style bridge. Don't get me wrong, it always plays great but I believe that within a handful of adjustments it is something I can accomplish in 15 -25 minutes. I just can't just the $300 when I bring in my SG and 2 Les Paul's every 3-4 months

[wulfrache]

Playing cards work well, even better since you can adjust to the action you prefer. About 7 cards on the 12th fret and 3 on the first fret (was suggested this on a forum and it worked great). You want the cards to hold in place if you tilt the neck but not be hard to move. Those measurements are for a Ukulele tho which is in between a guitar (lower) and a steel string acoustics (higher) action. Depends on the brand of playing cards too probably. You want your bass strings to be a little bit higher then your treble. The credit card is a lot thiner (0.76mm-ish?) then you would want the height of youre action on an electric which is why would would need to include the extra height when string is vibrating/buzz. With the playing cards its more about the feel of the cards under the strings. You can also measure the thickness of a stack of cards and compare it to the action height you are going for. FYI 3 cards = about 1mm .... So an electric guitar you would want about 5-6 cards at 12th fret and probably about 2 at the 1st fret.

[arcnglmcl]

This is absolutely true! It's seemed for me to just happen out of nowhere.

[joeurbanowski]

Before you do any of that, you need to check the relief ( bow) on the neck.. AND … make sure the nut slots are the proper depth..!
-If you’re using the 12th fret as an “action gauge “ it’s a pivot point..
between the nut and the bridge saddles..
Think of a see-saw… one side is high ( maybe the nut?) and that will make the bridge low …. and vice versa…

[frootypunk]

I have the exact guitar, now it sounds grate thank you☺

[Dad-Gad]

Put tape on either side of the card, then tape it gently to the neck, it can then mimic the radius of your neck 👍

[ralphieralph]

Shouldnt the first fret be pressed down aswell? Some puts a finger on fret 8 aswell

[kyles]

Have to make sure you adjust your truss rod for the correct relief first or it won't work properly, took me a bit to figure that out

[chrisst]

1. Put your guitar in its case.
2. Go down to the guitar shop.
3. Ask them to adjust the action.
4. Pay with credit card.

[davidboudreau]

Good video.
Could you address, pickup height. I just got a new Gretch. The stock setup has the pickups sharply angeled. How do I know if it's ideal or correct. How far from strings should pickups be ?

[deanmccaskill]

Great video. I’m pretty good at intonation but I’m not super confident on action. I’ll have to try that card trick.
Thanks again!

[wayneriley]

I hope that is not a useable credit card to be put over the pick-ups that are magnetic. I thought he night use it to set the pick up height,

[mrofnocnon]

Works but really your action height also depends on the way you play, vigorous playing needs a higher action.

[raymondvaughan]

All wrong leave it alone got to do, it right setting the truss rod in neck for the relief you forgot about the correct way to do bridge nut if needed doing frets dressed surely just a card will put it all out on fretboard with out checking it out properly

[juan.asensio.musica]

1- apply for a credit card.
2- pay a luthier