Reddit reviews Pixnor String Action Ruler Gauge Tool for Guitar Bass

The best way to measure the action on all your guitars is with a small metal ruler that is accurate to millimeters/64ths of an inch. Then be sure to measure them all at the same place on the neck. I like to use the 12th fret, as well. How low you go, is really a matter of preference. I don't tolerate any buzz, on any fret in any form whatsoever and the same goes for bending strings, which should never "choke". Not only does this make for a cleaner, clearer tone, but it allows you to perform any technique without having to worry about over all note clarity.

The radius of the neck will also play a part in how low you can go without choking out. The smaller the radius/tighter arc, the higher the action will need to be in order to preserve clarity. Conversely, the larger the radius/flatter the neck, the lower the action can be without choking during bends.

As for the relief in the neck, you really need a set of feeler gauges to measure it accurately. You can get a set at any hardware/auto store for $5. I would also suggest getting a notched straight edge, and fret rocker if at all possible. With these basic tools you can accurately measure all the set up dimensions on any guitar and adjust them to your liking. Every builder has factory specs for the amount of relief they suggest in their neck, but I use it as a starting point, then tweak it from there as desired. However, measuring the relief is the same basic process on every guitar. You want to put a capo on the first fret, then fret the low E string at the 17th frets (some folks do it at the 15th), then use your free hand to hold the feeler gauge. Find the dimension suggested by your maker and slide it between the depressed E string and the top of the 8th or 9th fret. It should just barely make contact with the fret and the string. If there is no contact at all, you'll want to tighten the truss rod nut in order to straighten the neck and thereby lower the overall action. If the fit is too tight, then slacken the truss rod nut to create more relief. It usually doesn't take much to see a significant difference, so only make adjustments in 1/8-1/4 turn increments.

Lastly, you'll need a good non-clip-on tuner to properly set the intonation. A tuner pedal, analog needle tuner, or other variety that you can plug into directly will work.

Here are some of the basic tools you'll need. I highly recommend the Ibanez guitar multi-tool. It has just about everything you need in one gizmo and you can take it with you any where.

https://www.amazon.com/Yibuy-Stainless-Sharplace-Luthier-Imperial/dp/B076731PR8/ref=sr_1_5?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1517581130&sr=1-5&keywords=feeler+gauge

https://www.amazon.com/Ibanez-Quick-access-MTZ11-Guitar/dp/B00F4SDYNS

https://www.amazon.com/Pixnor-String-Action-Ruler-Guitar/dp/B01HM8SNHY/ref=pd_lpo_vtph_267_bs_lp_t_1/133-8834494-7573365?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=DB3RJSVTBJ4K56QXP9PB&dpID=51Ehcayof9L&preST=_SY300_QL70_&dpSrc=detail

https://www.amazon.com/Guitar-Notched-Straight-Edge-ROCKER/dp/B00O6KT5HO/ref=sr_1_2?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1517580948&sr=1-2&keywords=notched+straight+edge

There are also tons of vids on YT that can walk you through a set up. I would suggest Dave's World of Fun stuff, for one. He has great info and is super fun to watch, as well.

link 1 - the notches are overkill, it's the straight edge you want because you're aligning the frets not the fretboard. Amazon has an 18" steel ruler that should work fine https://www.amazon.com/Westcott-Stainless-Steel-Office-Inches/dp/B000093IJ1/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1483315326&sr=8-1&keywords=18%27+ruler

link 2 That's overkill as well, you'll end up using just one or two of the files. I don't like the fret guards because it's more efficient to tape all the frets at one time than it is to tape up the guard 22 times. If you want to round the fret ends this file is similar to one I've used and will work fine. Just make sure the edge of the file doesn't saw the fretboard https://www.amazon.com/Nicholson-Triangular-Ergonomic-American-Pattern/dp/B001R1UZII/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1483315923&sr=8-12&keywords=triangular+file

link 3 - That's fine, there's another one $1 cheaper. They're basically all stamped out in China, and do the same as the $25 Stew Mac one. https://www.amazon.com/Pixnor-String-Action-Ruler-Guitar/dp/B01HM8SNHY/ref=sr_1_3?s=musical-instruments&ie=UTF8&qid=1483316161&sr=1-3&keywords=String+Action+Gauge

Your choices are fine, but I'm a cheap dude. And while you're in the ordering mood, you might get a set of automotive feeler gauges. This is what you can use with the ruler to set the amount of relief the neck should have. https://www.amazon.com/OEMTOOLS-25025-Blade-Master-Feeler/dp/B000BYGIR4/ref=pd_sim_267_16?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=BA62DPTD81NDZKM36V6C

More on neck relief from Fender's web site: http://www2.fender.com/experience/tech-talk/how-to-measure-neck-relief/

If you wanna learn how to work on your own guitars, Frets.com is a great resource, here's their link on neck relief and buzz diagnosis http://www.frets.com/FretsPages/Luthier/Technique/Setup/BuzzDiagnosis/Relief/relief.html

Good luck!

Being broke, ive tried some cheap aliexpress tools and hardware. Its a mixed bag. Out of those Ive tried or found elsewhere:

Radius sanding blocks are okay. But before using make sure to put some varnish\sealant on them before use. I used sandpaper with double sided tape, and when removed it peeled up some of the wood along the grain. (they work, and were the advertised radius but wouldn't expect them to last long)

Tried a crowning file that was similar to that one (but not purchased from there, and it was mostly crap, filing surface hardly worked at all.

The action ruler looks similar to the one I bought, but has different text on it. the one i got was a few bucks more but solid. https://www.amazon.com/Pixnor-String-Action-Ruler-Guitar/dp/B01HM8SNHY/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1478093079&sr=8-2&keywords=string+action+ruler

Fretboard protection Ive just used painters tape whenever i filed the ends before for a thin layer of protection.