Acoustic guitar action

A typical action on an acoustic guitar is at around 5/64″ (2.0mm) on the high E string and 7/64″ (2.8mm) on the low E string. The slight increase in action height gives an acoustic guitar's strings more room to vibrate. This gives you a clearer tone and allows you to strum chords without ending up in a buzzing mess.

1. What is considered low action on an acoustic guitar?
2. How do I know if my acoustic action is too high?
3. What is the guitar action?

What is considered low action on an acoustic guitar?

Low action – or string action – simply means that the strings are closer to the fretboard (typically at an action height of 3/32″ on the low E string, 1/16″ on the high E string), making the guitar easier to play, and of course if it's easier to play, you're going to play it even more!

How do I know if my acoustic action is too high?

There are several telltale signs that a guitar is in need of a set-up. If the intonation is off, the action is too high, the guitar buzzes when you fret a note, strings stop vibrating and buzz as you bend them, frets feel sharp, or neck appears warped, then your guitar definitely needs a set-up.

What is the guitar action?

The term action refers to the distance between the top of your frets to the bottom of your strings. This distance plays a key role in your setup because it determines how easy it is to fret each note and how aggressive you can play the instrument before causing fret buzz.