Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge

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Guitar String Action Gauge

An indispensable universal tool for all stringed instruments
Precise measurements for setting up, adjusting and measuring string spacing, action, pickup height and much more
Metric and standard dimensions
Ruler size (L x W): 8.9 x 5.1 cm (3.5 x 2")
For electric guitar, bass and acoustic guitar
In mm and inches
Scale for action: 0.01 - 0.14" / 0.25 - 3.50 mm
Scale for saddle slot depth: 0 - 0.875" / 0 - 20 mm
Scale for saddles: 0 - 0.75" / 0 - 20 mm
Material: stainless steel
Dimensions: 90 x 50 mm
Weight: 21 g

30-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Available since August 2020
Item number 491199
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

4,99 €

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in Guitar Tools

Far more functions than a ruler

Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge measuring high string action on an acoustic guitar

Not every guitarist wants to take their beloved instrument to a luthier for every small adjustment – this costs both time and money. The Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge, on the other hand, costs next to nothing and is quick to use into the bargain. This handy tool lets musicians measure their string action precisely and adjust it as needed: Simply place the tool on the fret near the 12th position and look side-on at the gauge's height markings. The point where the string touches the bar without leaving a gap reveals the string height, or action. In the picture here, the String Action Gauge is measuring around 0.140", or 3.5mm – far too high and uncomfortable to play. Just fretting the note at that height would feel like a bend, altering the pitch and making it sound slightly out of tune. To help with corrections, the back of the gauge clearly indicates the recommended string heights for electric guitar, acoustic guitar, and bass; for the 6th string being measured here, the ideal adjustment would be lowering it to around 2–2.5mm.

Saddle height being measured using a Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge

Precise adjustment

String action can be adjusted at three points: The nut on the headstock, the bridge on the top, and the neck angle, although most adjustments are made at the bridge – lowering it by 2mm results in a 1mm reduction at the 12th fret. On electric guitars, this process is straightforward, since the action can usually be raised or lowered as needed, while on acoustic guitars it requires a little more effort, as the saddle must be modified. Once they've removed the strings, guitarists can take out the saddle, measure its height with the Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge, and then carefully adjust it to achieve the desired result.

Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge measures the correct string action on an acoustic guitar

Careful now!

Before sanding down guitar components such as the saddle on an acoustic guitar, it is always advisable to research the process thoroughly; with the Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge, players at least have a precise measuring tool at hand. This business card-sized aid is inexpensive and ideal for anyone wishing to learn how to adjust their own instrument and identify potential issues. In this example, the string action was lowered to 0.080" (2mm) by carefully grinding down the saddle and making fine adjustments to the truss rod, resulting in a very low and comfortable setup for melodic playing. Guitarists with a heavier playing style are better served by the higher values indicated on the back of the gauge to avoid unwanted string buzz.

Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge leaning against a Harley Benton Guitartech Neck Rest with a guitar neck

About Harley Benton

Since 1998, the Harley Benton brand has been catering for the needs of countless guitarists and bassists. In addition to an extensive range of stringed instruments, Thomann's house brand also offers a wide choice of amplifiers, speakers, effect pedals, and other accessories. In total, the range includes over 1,500 products. Built by established names in the industry, all Harley Benton products combine quality and reliability at attractive and affordable prices. The continuous expansion of the range ensures that Harley Benton always provides new, exciting, and innovative products that keep players perfectly in tune with the musical world, day after day.

A tool for every task

The Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge provides inexpensive and yet precise measurement for adjusting electric guitars, acoustic guitars, basses and other similar stringed instruments, and thanks to its compact size it's easy to store and always at hand. When it comes to making actual adjustments, however, additional tools are often needed: Fortunately, Thomann offers a whole range of guitar tools and practical accessories including the Harley Benton GuitarTech Neck Rest for secure neck support, any number of multitools and guitar toolkits, and specialised tools for fret levelling. For further improvements, a wide range of spare parts is also available, allowing instruments to be repaired, adjusted, or upgraded – both technically and aesthetically.

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1155 Customer ratings

5 959 Customers 4 155 Customers 3 30 Customers 2 9 Customers 1 2 Customers

4.8 / 5

quality

Review guidelines

548 Reviews

Excellent tool for your heights!

Reviewing purchased item 13.08.2021

Simple yet very useful tool for getting your strings and pick ups where you want them.

If slightly rough edge, some ultra fine sandpaper is in order to smooth the surface just a tiny little bit.

My suggestion is to do the measurements in a well light area and working on an adequate height to avoid angles of sight messing with actual measures.

Maybe for next model, it would be a substantial improvement to make it in some lively color with same black stripes measure lines as it has now.

A great little tool that you can always take with you due to its credit card size.

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Hard to fault a ruler

tremblox 07.01.2023

One of these tools that you will not need or use on a daily basis but which every once in a while will be indispensable.

Measure your action for every string and pickup heights in metric or imperial. Document them and then change according to your playability and tonal preferences. Having a documented baseline is always going to help you and will let you see in an instant any changes in the setup; for example due to seasonal changes, guitar string gauge/brand changes, tuning changes etc. You don’t need this tool to set up your guitar but it sure as heck helps and really helps to ensure consistency. I’d recommend this along with a fret rocker and board guard as the first tools to own after a string winder.

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Mustafa Ozbay 28.03.2022

It is not a "nice to have" but a "must to have" tool.

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Nice budget-friendly tool

RChg 23.06.2023

The quality of this action gauge is very nice. The metal is thick enough so the gauge does not bend. The markings are clear and easy to read. The string height markers are not just line marks, as with some other manufacturers, but are coloured-stacks. This makes it easier to assess the actual height of the string. Very helpful.
It has every possible marks for string and pickup adjustments. Recommended values for guitar/bass string height, printed on the back give a good starting point for further adjustments, especially for those who are new to setting up their own guitars.
Overall, a great tool at fraction of the price you pay for some other brands. Highly recommended.

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Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge

Guitar String Action Gauge