My Guitar Strings Are Too High-What can I do?

                                         You can adjust the action!

Action or feel and guitar string height is most commonly thought of as how high the strings are from the frets.Therefore, it is called string height.  Action is a term used to describe how a guitar is adjusted according to how high or low the strings are on the neck which affects how well it plays. A guitar player needs to know how to set action.

Action Speaks Louder Than Words

Good action is hard to beat. It is also hard to complain about. But it happens. We hear a lot about this from players who need help here. Most players know very little about it and how to set it. They have learned how to avoid learning it for years. Players, Action speaks louder than words. Learn it.

There is no disputing this fact. If a player wants to be independent and empowered he/she must learn this as much as learning the music for engagements. If not, there is less chance of being prepared when an opportunity comes thereby lowering the odds of music as a successful career. You just have to learn this. Period.

Saddle height directly affects how high the strings sit above the frets. Saddle radius/contour also affects the instruments action.  The curvature of the saddle or radius changes the strings height as well. A lot of factors to consider.

What Is A Guitar String Saddle?

guitar action adjustments at Haywire Custom Guitars

What is a guitar string saddle and how does it relate to action? The saddle of a guitar refers to the part of the bridge that physically supports the strings and as a result moving up and down is an adjustment. Higher makes your strings higher and increases the difficulty of play. Lower saddle height therefore make string play easier and improves overall intonation. Because the saddle may be one piece (typically on acoustic guitars) or rather separate pieces for some.  One saddle for each string, most notably electric guitars, are the best.  Separate but equal.

Raise or Lower?

Reasons to either raise and lower your guitar string saddles:

Lower: Increase comfort by decreasing pressure on the players finger tips

Raise: Eliminate or decrease guitar string buzzing

Raise: Improve guitar sustain and tone

Lower: Improve guitar intonation by reducing the distance (sharpness) of string travel to the top of the fret therefore lower it.

If you could make adjustments in raising string height yourself, seems like you won’t have to take your guitar to the shop for small incremental changes. the action can be set at the bridge. The action is how a guitar plays and feels If the distance of the strings to the fingerboard is large then the string will sharpen until touch down . Most of all, if the strings sit too high, they’re hard to fret.  If they’re too low, buzzing occurs. Especially relevant there is a sweet spot and we can find it for you at Haywire Custom Guitars.

                  Adjusting Saddle height for Action, Play-ability & Tone

Finally, if the action is how a guitar plays, specifically the distance of the strings to the fingerboard. The strings can’t sit too high because they’re hard to fret. However, if they’re too low, buzzing occurs. The farther a string must travel pushed down by a players fingertip. Most noteworthy, the higher the action, the sharper the string gets. High action=Sharper notes.

Some players either prefer higher string height while some prefer low guitar action. Since you need to raise or lower the saddle for higher action and turn the hex screws with a Allen hex wrench.  As a result, turn the screw clockwise to raise the saddle; turn it counter-clockwise to lower the saddle for lower action. If the saddle has two hex screws, be sure to turn them the same amount so that the saddles always stay level.

Haywire Custom Guitars Action Height Adjustment Screws