How To Lower Action On An Electric Guitar

by Isaac Kuhlman

How To Lower Action On An Electric Guitar

If your electric guitar feels difficult to play, the action may be too high. High string action makes chords harder to press, slows down lead playing, and can cause finger fatigue during longer practice sessions.

Fortunately, lowering the action on an electric guitar is something many players can do themselves with a few simple tools and careful adjustments. The key is making small changes while measuring accurately to avoid unwanted fret buzz.

In this guide, you'll learn how to lower action on an electric guitar, the recommended string height, and how to get the best balance between comfort and tone.

What Is Guitar Action?

Guitar action is the distance between the strings and the tops of the frets. Lower action generally makes a guitar easier to play, while higher action requires more finger pressure.

However, action that's too low can cause buzzing or dead notes. The goal is to find the lowest comfortable action that still allows every note to ring clearly.

Signs Your Guitar Action Is Too High

Your guitar may benefit from a lower action if you notice:

  • Chords require extra finger pressure.
  • Notes feel stiff when bending strings.
  • Playing fast passages is difficult.
  • Your fingers tire quickly.
  • The strings sit noticeably high above the fretboard.
  • The guitar feels uncomfortable compared to other instruments.

Tools You'll Need

Before you begin, gather the following:

A Guitar String Action Ruler allows you to measure string height before and after each adjustment accurately.

Step 1: Tune Your Guitar

Always tune your guitar to standard pitch before making any measurements or adjustments.

String tension directly affects action height, so tuning first ensures accurate measurements.

Step 2: Measure the Current String Height

Place the Guitar String Action Ruler on top of the 12th fret and measure the distance from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string.

Powered By Rock recommends the following starting measurements for most electric guitars:

String Recommended Height
Low E (6th String) 1.5–1.75 mm
High E (1st String) 1.25–1.5 mm

These measurements provide excellent playability while minimizing fret buzz for most players.

Step 3: Lower the Bridge Saddles

Most electric guitars use adjustable bridge saddles to control string height.

Using the correct Allen wrench:

  1. Turn each saddle adjustment screw slightly.
  2. Lower both sides evenly.
  3. Retune the guitar.
  4. Measure the action again.
  5. Repeat until you reach your preferred height.

Make only small adjustments at a time.

Step 4: Play Every String

After lowering the action, play every fret on every string.

Listen for:

  • Fret buzz
  • Dead notes
  • Notes choking during bends

If you hear buzzing, raise the affected saddle slightly until the note rings cleanly.

Step 5: Check the Neck Relief

If your action still feels too high after adjusting the bridge, the neck relief may need attention.

Too much forward bow in the neck can increase string height.

Only adjust the truss rod if you're comfortable doing so. Otherwise, a professional guitar setup is the safest option.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Many beginners make these common mistakes:

  • Lowering the action too much at once
  • Forgetting to retune before measuring
  • Ignoring neck relief
  • Adjusting only one side of the saddle
  • Measuring without a proper ruler
  • Chasing the absolute lowest possible action

Small adjustments and accurate measurements produce the best results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best action for an electric guitar?

Powered By Rock recommends:

  • Low E: 1.5–1.75 mm
  • High E: 1.25–1.5 mm

These measurements work well for most playing styles.

Can lowering the action improve playability?

Yes. Lower action reduces the distance your fingers must press the strings, making chords, scales, and solos easier to play.

Can action be too low?

Yes. If the strings sit too close to the frets, you'll likely experience fret buzz, muted notes, or notes that choke during bends.

Do all electric guitars adjust the same way?

Most electric guitars use adjustable bridge saddles, but the exact adjustment method depends on the bridge design. Always consult your guitar's manual if you're unsure.

Final Thoughts

Lowering the action on an electric guitar is one of the simplest ways to improve comfort and playability. By making careful adjustments, measuring accurately, and testing your guitar after each change, you can achieve a setup that feels smooth while maintaining clear tone.

For the most accurate measurements, use a Guitar String Action Ruler to dial in the ideal string height and keep your guitar playing its best.

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