Setting your action on the classical guitar

In this lesson

In this video master luthier Gary Lee walks you through setting your action on the classical guitar. Action is the height of the strings above the frets, and it can have a dramatic impact on your playing experience. If your left hand gets overly sore when playing, or your strings are buzzing a lot, this lesson could be a game changer for you.

A lesson from A Player’s Guide to Guitar Mechanics with Gary Lee · 9 minutes

Find a section in the video

• 0:45 — Balancing left-hand ease and right-hand strength
• 2:36 — Where action height is measured
• 3:09 — How playing technique affects the setup
• 4:28 — Example heights and the effect of strings
• 5:42 — The geometry of the saddle and 12th fret
• 8:48 — Working with a luthier

These links open the relevant moment on YouTube.

What is classical guitar action?

For the measurements in this lesson, action is the distance from the top of the 12th fret to the underside of the string, measured in millimetres. Gary explains that the best height can differ from string to string and from player to player.

The notes below summarize Gary’s explanation in the video, so you can return to the main ideas when assessing your own instrument.

There isn’t one correct action height

A lower action can make fretting easier for the left hand. But if the strings sit too low for the way you play, a strong right-hand stroke can make them buzz against the frets. Gary describes the setup as a balance between these two demands.

Volume is only part of the picture. The direction of your right-hand stroke also affects how the string moves in relation to the frets. This is why Gary watches a player perform some of their loudest passages when considering an adjustment.

What do typical measurements look like?

Gary gives the following examples for a player with a medium-strength attack:

Examples from the lesson, measured at the 12th fret

String	Example action height
First string (high E)	About 3.0 mm
Sixth string (low E)	About 4.0 mm

These are reference examples, not targets for every guitar. Gary notes that some players need more clearance, including sixth-string heights above 4.0 mm. The aim is a setup that works for your playing, rather than matching a number.

Your strings are part of the setup

String tension, brand and model can affect the action that suits you. Gary recommends working with your luthier using a reasonably fresh set of the strings you intend to keep playing. This gives the adjustment a useful starting point for your everyday instrument.

How saddle height affects the action

In the second half of the video, Gary uses a simplified diagram to explain the relationship between the saddle and the 12th fret. In that model, a 1 mm change in saddle height produces approximately a 0.5 mm change in action at the 12th fret.

This explains the geometry behind an adjustment; it is not a complete guide to modifying a saddle. Gary closes by recommending an appointment with a local luthier to optimize the setup for each string and the individual player.

Before you visit a luthier

Use these points from the lesson to prepare for the conversation:

• Bring examples from your playing. Include a loud passage and a passage that is demanding for your left hand.
• Describe the compromise you are experiencing. Is fretting difficult, do strings buzz at your normal playing volume, or both?
• Use your usual strings. Note the brand, model and tension, and work with a reasonably fresh set.
• Ask for a setup suited to you. Treat measurements as part of the discussion, alongside how the guitar feels and sounds.

Hear more from Gary Lee

Continue with Gary’s conversation about guitar construction, the woods used in building and how they influence an instrument’s sound.

Listen: Spruce vs Cedar and Guitar Construction with Gary Lee →