How To Lower The Action On Acoustic Guitar

So, there I was, strumming my acoustic guitar at a campfire, when this kid, couldn't have been more than 12, pipes up, "Dude, your guitar sounds like it's got a mouth full of marbles!" I chuckled, but he had a point. My guitar's action was high, making it a real workout to play. That's when I realized, it's time to lower the action on this beast.

What's Action Got to Do with It?

Alright, let's talk action. No, not the kind you see in an action movie. We're talking guitar action here - the distance between the strings and the fretboard. When the action is high, it's like trying to play on a tiny trampoline. Your fingers have to work overtime to press down the strings, and that's where you get that 'marble mouth' sound.

Now, you might be thinking, "But I like my guitar just the way it is." That's cool, to each their own. But if you're finding it a bit of a struggle to play, or you're getting tired fingers, it might be worth considering a lower action.

Why Lower the Action?

Lowering the action can make your guitar easier to play. It reduces the distance your fingers have to travel to press down the strings, making it less of a workout. It can also improve your guitar's tone, as the strings have less space to vibrate and can produce a clearer sound.

But be careful, lower isn't always better. If the action is too low, you might start getting fret buzz, which is like having a tiny, annoying roommate who won't stop humming.

So, How Do You Lower the Action?

Alright, let's get down to business. Here's a step-by-step guide to lowering the action on your acoustic guitar. Remember, I'm not a luthier, so if you're not comfortable doing this yourself, take it to a professional. Your guitar's worth it.

Step 1: The Setup

First things first, you'll need a few tools. You'll need a truss rod wrench, a nut driver, a ruler, and a feeler gauge. If you don't have these, you can probably borrow them from your handy neighbor, or buy them cheap online.

Next, make sure your guitar is tuned to pitch. You don't want to be adjusting the action on a wonky-tuned guitar. Also, make sure your guitar is in a comfortable, well-lit workspace. You don't want to be squinting and straining your neck.

Step 2: The Truss Rod

First, we're going to adjust the truss rod. This is the metal rod running down the neck of your guitar. It's what keeps the neck straight. If your guitar has a double-action truss rod, you're in luck. You can adjust both the relief (the amount of bow in the neck) and the action at the same time.

Loosen the truss rod nut with your truss rod wrench. Turn it clockwise to decrease the relief (make the neck flatter) and counterclockwise to increase it. Be careful, you only need to turn it a little at a time. Too much and you could damage your guitar's neck.

How to Lower the Action on an Acoustic Guitar (with Pictures)

Use your ruler to measure the relief. Place the ruler on the 1st and 14th frets, with the edge of the ruler on the top of the fret. The gap between the ruler and the string should be about 0.010" to 0.015". If it's more than that, you need to decrease the relief. If it's less, you need to increase it.

Step 3: The Saddle

Now, let's adjust the saddle. The saddle is the piece of bone or plastic that the strings sit on at the bridge. By adjusting the height of the saddle, we can lower the action.

Use your feeler gauge to measure the action at the 12th fret. The gap between the string and the fret should be about 0.070" to 0.090". If it's more than that, you can lower the action by shimming the saddle or filing it down.

To shim the saddle, place a piece of thin material (like a business card or a piece of paper) under the saddle. This will lower the action without changing the height of the saddle. If you want to file the saddle, be careful. You can't un-file it, so take it slow.

Step 4: The Nut

Finally, let's adjust the nut. The nut is the piece of bone or plastic that the strings sit on at the headstock. By adjusting the height of the nut, we can fine-tune the action.

Use your feeler gauge to measure the action at the 1st fret. The gap between the string and the fret should be about 0.015" to 0.020". If it's more than that, you can lower the action by filing down the nut slots. Again, be careful. You can't un-file it, so take it slow.

And That's a Wrap!

And there you have it! Lowering the action on your acoustic guitar can make it easier to play and improve its tone. Just remember, it's a delicate balance. Too low and you'll get fret buzz. Too high and you'll be playing with marbles in your mouth.

But hey, if all else fails, you can always blame your guitar for your wonky chords. "It's not me, it's my guitar's action." That's a valid excuse, right? Right?