Guitar action musing.....

You are of course correct, A good luthier will make adjustments at the nut but this is a more critical adjustment that at the saddle and the nut adjustment affects the playability at that end of the fretboard. The saddle adjustment affects playability higher up the keyboard.

I remember years ago when nearly all guitars has a fret immediatley next to the nut to control the string height but sadly these days that practice seems to have gone by the wayside.

Roger

i dont really no wat u are talking about could someone explain...   PLEASE

Just a quick tip about adjusting the nut. A good rule is to get a straight edge and hold it in the string grove of the nut and then place it on the second fret. Use a piece of paper to gauge your height at the first fret. You should be able to just catch the paper between the straight edge and the first fret. It's a fine line to get it perfect. You don't want the straight edge to touch the fret it self or you risk buzzing but it should be as close as the thickness of a piece of paper. Sanding down the bottom of the saddle works well enough but to do it properly the slots really should filed down so that the strings can be adjusted individually for proper intonation and uniformity. I use the Norman blake files to cut and buff mine and they work great. A set runs about $90 bucks a will do guitars and basses.  I log allot of time on my guitars so I 've got in the habit of tuning down a half step and playing with a capo on the first for comfort. I tune my 12 string in D and capo on the second to get back to standard tuning. This works great! Not only does it lower the action somewhat but it also reduces the tension on the strings allowing for much easier play, especially when playing allot of barre or for extended periods of time. Peace! -Pix

Ok maybe a few pics will help. I just took these to give you an example.. In this first pic. I'm simple using a ruler to form a bridge between the slot of the E string and the second fret. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10950798@N05/2568132941/  Now in this pic I'm using a piece of paper over the first fret to gauge the distance. http://www.flickr.com/photos/10950798@N … otostream/ It should touch the paper just enough for it not to slide between them freely. Keep in mind that we are only talking about one aspect of a proper set up. Before you can perform this step you should have settled on the string gauge you are going to be using and the truss rod should be adjusted properly. It should have a "very" slight upbow to it. This will effect the nut setup some so it should be performed first. Then you can adjust nut and then you move on to the saddle. About 3/32 at the 12th is considered the norm for a good setup.... Some may want it a little closer or higher. It just depends on your style of play...

Oh Yea as an extra tip you can fret the string on the second and use the string as a straight edge. then just use the piece of paper between the string and 1st fret. It's not as accurate but will give you a good idea of how yours sets... And again, this does take practice. If you do decide to try it just remember to take a little off at the time. You can always sand more but it really sucks when you go to far and have to get a new nut or saddle and start over. If you don't feel absolutly confident you can handle it, I'd carry it to a pro and see if you can watch. Then maybe you'll be ready for the next time. Peace -Pix

It's funny that charlie brown (my avie) Is talking guitars with Linus...lol