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StewMac String Action Gauge, Imperial – The Original Swiss Army Ruler for Guitar Setup
Designed and developed by StewMac, the String Action Gauge is the original precision tool for guitar setups. This pocket-sized stainless steel ruler is like a "Swiss Army Ruler" for guitar adjustments, providing fast, accurate measurements that make professional setups easier than ever. Trusted by luthiers and guitar techs worldwide, this is the same high-quality gauge used in top repair shops.
Accurate & Easy-to-Read Measurements:
- String Height: Quickly determine the exact action at any fret.
- Bridge Saddle & Slot Depth: Ensure precise saddle adjustments for optimal tone and intonation.
- Nut Height: Dial in the perfect nut slot depth for smooth playability.
- Fret Slot Depth: Ideal for measuring slots on unbound fingerboards.
- Pickup Polepiece Height: Set your pickups at the right distance for balanced output.
Why This Gauge is a Must-Have for Luthiers & DIY Players:
- StewMac Original Design: Developed in-house by renowned luthiers Dan Erlewine and Don MacRostie—often imitated, but never duplicated.
- Progressive String Height Scale: Simply slide it across the frets and read the measurement under the string—faster and easier than a standard ruler.
- Durable Stainless Steel: Precision-etched markings ensure long-lasting accuracy.
- Pocket-Sized Convenience: Compact and easy to carry for setups anywhere.
- Inch & Metric Versions: Available with measurements from .010" to .140" (inch model) or 0.25mm to 3.50mm (metric version).
- Bonus Conversion Chart: The back of the gauge features a fractional/decimal/metric conversion chart for quick reference.
Pro Tip: Use this gauge for setting router depth—it sits securely on the router base for precise adjustments.
Whether you’re setting up a new guitar or fine-tuning an old favorite, the StewMac String Action Gauge provides the accuracy and ease you need to achieve perfect playability.
Built to Last a Lifetime – All StewMac tools are backed by our Lifetime Promise.
Dan
Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2025
Good tool for measuring string action.
Client d'
Reviewed in France on November 5, 2024
Rien à dire, c'est du bon matos
A. Weed
Reviewed in the United States on January 12, 2023
It is worth the money because it is easy to use and accurate. Every guitarist's toolkit should have one. You set your guitar's string action by it. You also take it with you when evaluating a guitar you are considering purchasing. This is extra important when evaluating a used acoustic guitar regarding bridge bellying and neck set issues.
John Boy
Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2020
Product is very sturdy and it came with instructions. Between the instructions and the YouTube video on how to use it I was able to set my Fender Strat up. I liked the conversion table on the flip side its very useful
Robert Williams
Reviewed in the United States on March 6, 2020
It’s top notch quality, almost exactly the same size as a credit card. Nothing to knock on the performance, the price is too high in my opinion though for what it is, but if price doesn’t bother you then this is probably the best you’ll find... I wanted the best quality so I’m not unhappy $10 or $15 extra dollars isn’t going to kill me...
AJS
Reviewed in the United States on November 7, 2020
Wow, item arrived a day early and was very well packaged!!! I think the price was a little to high for what it is, but after reading reviews on the accuracy on some of the cheaper ones I decided to go with this quality piece of equipment. This is a brand that can be trusted. The strong height part of the gauge in decimal reading is a little hard to see the lines, I feel they could of made those a little thicker or darker, so it would be easier to read. Other than those two minor negatives, I'm very happy with this and would recommend to a friend or buy again if I lost mine.Thank you StewMac!!!
Verified customer
Reviewed in the United States on October 17, 2020
Works as advertised/intended. Thick card style gauge, measurements are accurate, print is legible. No cons with product. Its pricey for what it is, but you get what you pay for. Don't settle for cheap Chinese alternatives. One of these should last you a very long time.
Thomas Hegel
Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2019
The StewMac String Action Gauge and Ruler, made of Stainless Steel and Designed by StewMac, is a very well made and useful product. The stainless steel gauge is very strong, rust free and is clearly marked with measurement lines. Mine is in inches, but StewMac also makes a metric gauge. The gauge is a must have for all guitarists planning to make their own string and neck adjustments. The gauge also has a chart on the back that converts all necessary measurements from inches to metric, and visa versa on the metric gauge. Thank you StewMac.
Cabinetmaker
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2016
I basically bought it to measure the action on my guitar.It's difficult to see the fine little lines simply because they don't graduate up like other ones do.I rounded the sharp pointe corners with a file to help prevent any scratches to the guitar.I chose this one since it was made in USA.
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