What do you like your relief and action set at?

[Music&Chaos]

Yup, I'm sure the pick isn't an exact 1 mm like a real feeler gauge but I'm also sure it's more than good enough. And it's cheap!!! Lol.

I have also been quite creative over the years.

I found a string action ruler for cheap that I actually prefer over my friend's more expensive, name brand alternatives.

The reason I love it? It uses little white circles to mark the exact line, I used a ruler and triple checked it.

Most of them just have black bars up, the little white dots help you a heck of a lot more than you would think.

 

[napalmdeath]

I see many here like it the same way:

As little relief as possible.

Radius gauge for the strings/Radiused.

Action though changes per guitar to be honest for me. Some guitars like it just a bit higher, but my action is never high anymore, though I can pick quite aggressively.

I like about Low E:1.4mm to High E:1.2mm in general. Pretty low.

I have a few guitars that feel really good with 1-1.25 on Low E going to 1mm on High E.

This is only with electric guitars, of course.

The Vintage Mustang I just sold I had set at 1.25mm Low E down to 1mm on High.

Super silky playing and no buzzing.

I'm close to that. My LP is .005 relief at the 8th, 1.5mm at the 12th on the bass side, 1.25mm at the 12th on the treble side. I could get away with a little lower action, but it's dialed in and feels perfect.

 

[napalmdeath]

I don't like their factory setup. Too much relief, and action is too high.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I don't like their factory setup. Too much relief, and action is too high.

Yep, a little high but not like some factory specs I have seen.

Also, when I slot nuts, it's nice and low, too many people have them far too high.

That is the difference between a guitar feeling like butter and not.

If it doesn't buzz when played hard open, it isn't too low.

I use a harmonic tapping trick, along with sight and feel.

 

[napalmdeath]

Yep, a little high but not like some factory specs I have seen.

Also, when I slot nuts, it's nice and low, too many people have them far too high.

That is the difference between a guitar feeling like butter and not.

If it doesn't buzz when played hard open, it isn't too low.

I use a harmonic tapping trick, along with sight and feel.

I use feeler gauges, capo, and Music Nomad action gauge. Its surprising how different manufacturers action gauges are inconsistent. I like the black - easier to read, high quality and extremely accurate. I like their stuff more than Stewmac. Fuck Stewmac and their ridiculous shipping costs, and their high prices in general.

 

[Music&Chaos]

I use feeler gauges, capo, and Music Nomad action gauge. Its surprising how different manufacturers action gauges are inconsistent. I like the black - easier to read, high quality and extremely accurate. I like their stuff more than Stewmac. Fuck Stewmac and their ridiculous shipping costs, and their high prices in general.

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I get that sentiment about StewMac - but some of their tools are nice to have, not only due to the quality, but the no hassle return policy.

I don't mind having paid a bit extra for some nut slotting files, on sale, they were about the same as anything else that was decent.

A lifetime replacement is really quite an offer.

I was using feeler gauges and stuff as well, but can cut them better than ever now without them.

This trick helped change things for me. (Link below)

Feels like You can breathe on the guitars I set up and they play lol


I would dodge everything I could from there - but the files are nice for sure.

I do like that black feeler gauge with the white markings.