How to Adjust the Action on Your Electric Guitar

Getting your action just right can transform how your guitar feels and plays. StewMac Tech Gene Imbody breaks down how to find the ideal action height for your playing style, how to check it quickly without fancy tools, and how to make adjustments no matter what kind of bridge or nut height your guitar has. If you’re chasing better tone, comfort, and control, this is a must-watch!

Tools and supplies featured in this video include:

String Action Gauge
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0670

StewMac Shop Rule
https://www.stewmac.com/item/4905

Precision Straightedges
https://www.stewmac.com/item/3850

Understring Radius Gauges
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0353

Guitar Tech Screwdriver Set
https://www.stewmac.com/item/3000

Tune-o-Medic Bridge and Tailpiece Tools
https://www.stewmac.com/item/4618

ESP Multi Spanner
https://www.stewmac.com/item/1344

Allen Truss Rod Wrenches
https://www.stewmac.com/item/6107

Pocket Truss Rod Wrenches
https://www.stewmac.com/item/6157

Truss Rod Wrench for Fender
https://www.stewmac.com/item/6111

Truss Rod Crank for Tele
https://www.stewmac.com/item/6138

Peterson SC-HD Stroboclip HD Tuner
https://www.stewmac.com/item/1726

Gauged Nut Slotting File Set for Electric Guitars
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0881

0:00 High vs Low Action
1:15 Neck Straightness
3:00 Action at the Bridge
5:55 Action at the Nut
6:53 Intonate & Play
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StewMac has everything you need to repair, build or maintain your guitars.
Everything we sell is backed by our Lifetime Promise, and we offer fast worldwide shipping.

Shop StewMac: https://www.stewmac.com

Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/StewMac

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🎥 Gear We Use in Our Studio
We get a lot of questions about the gear we use to make our videos, so here’s our current setup!*

Camera / Mounting Gear

Canon C70 à https://bhpho.to/3UOUkef

Canon XC10 à https://bhpho.to/4n4urD3

Sachtler Ace XL Fluid Head Tripod System à https://bhpho.to/3Hz9YHF

Manfrotto Deluxe Autopole 2 à https://bhpho.to/45SCNqs

Glide Gear OH 75 Overhead Portable Pole Rig à https://bhpho.to/4maFBpf

Lights

Aputure 300 Bi-Color LED à https://bhpho.to/47m0ASc

FotodioX C-700 Flapjack LED à https://bhpho.to/4fUL9Cs

Quasar Science Q-Lion LED à https://bhpho.to/4p3OROA

Sound

RODE Wireless PRO Microphone System à https://bhpho.to/45FLK7F

Sennheiser MKH 416 Shotgun Microphone àhttps://bhpho.to/4oUAsUR

Sennheiser e 609 Microphone à https://bhpho.to/4mxRJRW

TASCAM DR-70D Multi-Track Field Recorder à https://bhpho.to/3URMwbG

🛠 Workshop Tools & Supplies We Use
While most of the tools we use in our shop are StewMac (shocker!), we’ve also outfitted our shop with some other essentials. If you’re looking to pick up anything to make some improvements to your own shop or bench, here are a few of our essentials.*

Storage & Organization

We love Craftsman toolboxes in this shop! à https://shoplowes.me/4mYqhwV

Storage Cabinets àhttps://shoplowes.me/3HVk9pO, https://shoplowes.me/3T4wSsw, https://shoplowes.me/3ZHXN0V

Small Parts Organizer à https://shoplowes.me/4l9cSkY

Storage Chest à https://shoplowes.me/45wIrA7

Workbench and Toolbox Stations à https://shoplowes.me/43YRlVX

Wire Storage Racks à https://shoplowes.me/4loDrSW

Tools

Craftsman Drill à https://shoplowes.me/4nghEOW

DeWalt Drill à https://shoplowes.me/4l1LVzz

Drill Bit Set àhttps://shoplowes.me/44tvxlh

Screwdriver Bit Set à https://shoplowes.me/4lEOGXx

Screwdriver Set à https://shoplowes.me/3I8iTiS

Silent Shop Vac à https://shoplowes.me/40chXjO

Spindle Sander à https://shoplowes.me/3T6RPmz

Shop Supplies

Blue Shop Towels à https://shoplowes.me/4l4xjzo

Shop Rags à https://shoplowes.me/4nqDpf6

Power Strips à https://shoplowes.me/4llBfLP

Work Lights à https://shoplowes.me/4ljsK3F

Dehumidifier à https://shoplowes.me/46LWAd8

Mixing Buckets à https://shoplowes.me/4ekkUVf

*These are affiliate links, which means if you pick something up through them, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. That support helps us create more great content for you—thanks for being a part of it all!