How do I lower the action on my guitar?Action is set mainly at the bridge saddle, not the truss rod. Saddle first Lower the saddle: On acoustics, take out the saddle and sand the bottom flat on sandpaper; check fit, retune and play every fret before finalising 3. On electrics, use the bridge height adjusters 8. Check for buzz: After lowering, play every string on every fret. Buzz across the board (especially high frets) means you've gone too far — raise the saddle a bit 3. What the truss rod is for Not for action: Alan Ratcliffe, our Guitar Doctor, warns the truss rod is for neck relief — using it for action improves one part of the neck and worsens another 2. Buzzes around frets 4–10 usually mean too tight a truss rod, not high action 3. Nut and neck angle First-position struggle: If barre chords and low frets are the problem, the nut slots may need work too — a setup tech handles this 5. Bolt-on acoustics: Proper Ovation-types adjust action via neck angle; cheap copies just get the usual saddle filing 2. Know the numbers Typical heights: Electrics run around 1.5–2mm at the 12th fret (measuring top of fret to bottom of the outer E string); acoustics a bit higher — 4.5mm is way too high 4. Measure with a ruler or feeler gauges 1. Watch for other causes: Bulging tops or dry Jo'burg humidity can cause buzzes that lowering the saddle won't fix — a solid-top acoustic may just need humidifying 4 3. Full step-by-step in Alan's maintenance article 1. If unsure, a good setup tech sorts saddle, nut and truss in one go 5. From these forum threadsGuitar Maintenance 3: Setting bridge action (2010): Alan's full guide to measuring and setting bridge actionLowering action on an Ovation type guitar (2013): Why the truss rod is the wrong tool for lowering actionAdjusting action on my acoustic.. (2010): Testing for buzz: how low is too low after loweringHigh action (2016): Typical 12th-fret action heights: 1.5mm vs 4.5mmLowering the Action on an acoustic with an Under-Saddle pickup (2010): Under-saddle pickups and split saddles: what a setup involvesGuitar Action – What’s a Good String Height? (2018): Low, medium and high action measurement chartGuitar setup (2010): Alan and Gearhead debate pro setup vs DIY tools
