When we encounter intonation problems, difficulty in fretting chords, especially barre chords (string height or action is too high), or buzzing (action is too low), our ukuleles might need a setup. The optimum slot width depends on the string type. 23 ozs. Eastman T486-GB Thinline Archtop Electric Guitar Seymour Duncan - GuitarHotline.com. At Guitar Bar, we don't just sell gear and give lessons - we also have a crackerjack team of techs who can breathe new life into your instruments. Intonation is accurate and the ukulele is easy and pleasant to play. Actually this is more difficult than it sounds as all the rulers I own have a slight overlap before the measurements start of around 3mm or so. The 9 concert ukulel string ranking is based on our detailed evaluation and analysis of over 1,685 consumer satisfaction surveys. Depending on the ukulele, we like to set the action at 2.5mm to 3.0mm in height. Right here, on this bottom line, we have 10 to 140 thousands. You simply hold the ruler on the top of the 12th fret and note the distance between the top of the fret and the bottom of the strings. The last thing to ask your luthier about is the string height at the nut and saddle. Anyway. The first step I took was to measure the action on my ukulele. Set string height. With that, here are some defaults to aim for: Electric guitar. Changing to a low-G move the first note down one octave and keeps the strings ascending all through the tuning. If there is loads of daylight your nut slot is too high and the action of pressing the string down so much to make the fret is stretching it sharp. Action determines how much pressure and distance is required for the string to make full contact with each fret. Relief . A "true" instrument, when properly set up, should produce the same note as an open string just one octave higher (e.g. If the nut is too high, playing at the first fret will . Step 4 - Check Action. The "correct" action differs for every musician based on their playing style and string preference. You may want to experiment with different strings, but I replaced mine with Worth Brown flourocarbon strings (available at many ukulele specialty stores) and they make this ukulele sound much warmer and more well rounded. 2.7mm is pretty good for a mail-order ukulele. This is the distance between the strings and the 12th fret. We inspect intonation and fret buzz to make sure that each ukulele is ready to play straight out of the box. Answer (1 of 5): You need to make sure you're applying enough pressure on the strings with your left hand. When the string height is lowered, high spots in the fretboard or uneven frets will potentially cause fret buzz, dead spots, or other unwanted problems. If only one or two strings need higher nut action why toss the nut and make a new one? Both mine measure 0.05mm & i have my action at the 12th a tad higher than usual.Even so,i understand what you're talking . Remove capo. open A string first course 440Hz, twelfth fret 880Hz). ; Finally, the head (or headstock) is the area where you will tune your uke. The slots should be slanted towards the head plate. Having a high action keeps the strings further from the fretboard so you have to press down harder. To allow the strings to clear the top of the first fret, the bottoms of the slots should be .030" higher than the fret height. Below are Tables 1, 2, and 3which contain compensation measurement data for my ukulele scale lengths of 13.5", 14.78" and 17". Now I noticed some fret buzz from the 10th fret and higher, not even on all strings , most noticeable on the 3rd . We professionally setup each ukulele with a string height of 1 mm at the first fret and 2.5 mm at the 12th fret. The Length of a fret is determined by it's position on the fretboard. In the first article, I explained how to emulate on a guitar the ukuleleʼs tuning using a capo & a cotton ball. If the nut is ok, the saddle is ok . The height of the saddle is used for setting up the general string action of the instrument. Yup, we take the time to fully quality control and dial in every single uke, no matter what the price. I mentioned "Effectively, you now have a ukulele tuned guitar with one small exception: the D string (fourth on guitar) is an octave lower than the the G string on a standard tuned ukulele. Overall length is about 26" long and weight is approx. oh also you might not have to adjust the nut height, so its best not to take it off if you dont have to. If the nut is too low, the string will bump into the first fret when it is played and it will "buzz," even if the rest of the instrument is properly set up and working well. For argument's sake, divide this distance into thirds. bracing. . Nut Action. Adjust pickup height. In some cases the slots must also be widened to accommodate thicker strings. Even better you can use a string height ruler designed for stringed instruments which come with markings for common string heights in various formats. That's a measurement from the top of the fret to the underside of the string. If I understood the advice given to me previously in this thread, the neck width at the 12th fret should be 31.5mm which would make the string spacing at the nut too close. This varies with the particular string, its tension when tuned and how vigorously the strings are plucked or strummed. As you can see, it's a trade off. A reasonable height to shoot for is about .090" from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string. The suggested measurements listed here refer to the string height at the 1st fret and also at a higher fret. then you check the first fret height, by fretting between the 2 and 3rd fret, and seeing if the string touches the 1st fret when you do. At the 12th fret, aim for about 2.38mm at the sixth string (thickest), and about 1.59mm at the first string (thinnest). If the action is OK then you can check the bridge position by using an electronic tuner and comparing the 12th fret played note with the open string n. The string spacing from one saddle to the next is 10.5mm making the distance between the outer string contact points 31.5mm. Does your ukulele. It was a pretty cheap soprano uke, as I wasn't sure whether it was something I was really going to get into or not.. On our low E string, from the top of the fret to the bottom of the strings, we're getting just about ten thousandths of an inch and just about the same thing on our high E string. It's common to use your thumb, finger, or combination of the two to strum the strings of your ukulele. If the string is higher than necessary ( 6-8/64ths or 2.5-3mm) you end up having to push harder down to get a good sound. that way,we'd know if what fatt-dad mentions above might be the case. Put the guitar at 3/32" on the bass side and 2/32" on the treble side. The fretboard wood is also 19mm and will need to be planed down to a suitable thickness, I was thinking 7-8mm. Buy in monthly payments with Affirm on orders over $50. These strings provide clear sound and are great ukulele accessories even if you already have a good set on. It's one of the . String Height Gauge Fret Rocker Leveling Tool: Made of High quality 6061 aluminum, With scales(0.02-0.14inch) for string height and with conversion chart of string action at 12th fret printed on one side, can use it to measure the the strings height and indicate uneven fret heights and ensure the final height, the body with sapphire blue . String height is nice and low with .016" over the 1st fret" and .100" over the 12th fret. - Virtually no gap between the string and the 1st fret when it is fretted between the 2nd and 3rd frets. It has to do with the Bridge height and the string height at the nut and 1st fret. String up the guitar with your desired gauge of strings. Physically, the GL1 is about the size of a standard tenor ukulele, albeit with a wider fingerboard and neck to accommodate the two additional lower strings.. I set the nut height at very close to that of the 1st fret. Fret buzz and string change. Intonation is accurate and the ukulele is easy and pleasant to play. A low-G is a replacement string that you could put on your ukulele to change the pitch of the G-string down one octave. Often the measurement is given from the top of the fret to the bottom of the string on the 12th fret. Install capo at 1st fret. I am using Savarez Alliance strings (541-R, 1st; 542-R, 2nd; 543-R, 3rd; 541-J, 4th). However, high action can be played louder before it buzzes and often has a fatter tone. Rough in the nut height and shape The top of the nut is shaped to follow the radius of the fretboard, and the string slots also follow this curve. If you hold the string down at the third fret and tap on it with a fingertip at the first fret, you should her it "ping" against the first fret but barely see it move. Set neck relief. The third column represents the length from my zero fret to the 12th fret. The nut controls the string's spacing, their distance from the edge of the fingerboard and their height above the first fret. Normal re-entrant tuning goes high-low-high, like this. The nut controls the string's spacing, their distance from the edge of the fingerboard and their height above the first fret. As a rule of thumb, you can check your ukulele's action by first pressing down at the 3rd fret; the string height above the 1st fret should be no . We can repair any kind of guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, ukulele, violin, you name it! For KIWAYA's Eco Series, the height is set up with 3mm at 12th fret. Typically, the cheaper ukulele makers like to set the . Eastman's first solid body guitar… with Eastman's signature written all over it. I would strongly suggest you get a professional setup . First, I move the strings out of their individual slots and out of the way of the slots. String action (height of the strings above the fretboard) is 1.0 mm for the 1st fret and 2.7mm at the 12th fret. If the strings are too high, the instrument becomes uncomfortable to play, if the strings are too low, it can cause fret buzz. First, you need to determine whether the strings are lower or higher than the normal height. I measure action, which is the height of the strings off of the frets, at the twelfth fret, with the string fretted at the first fret. Below are Tables 1, 2, and 3which contain compensation measurement data for my ukulele scale lengths of 13.5", 14.78" and 17". That's it for the chords. A measurement of .020 inches or .5mm would be far too high—and yet, this is a common sight on new guitars. I recently bought my first ukulele - an Islander MSC-4 . If you decide you'd like to play with a pick instead of using your fingers, look for felt picks that won't damage your ukulele or the nylon strings. Here I show you an alternative to the old super glue backing soda tric. Tighten them up to maybe half-tension. Can you change the strings on your uke? String height is nice and low with .016" over the 1st fret" and .100" over the 12th fret. Lay a straightedge across the frets and measure the clearance at the 8th. Acoustic guitar. Features: Total length: 543 mm. Since most/all necks get wider as you work your way up the frets, the 1st fret is considerably shorter than the 20th fret. For F major, place your middle finger just like you did with A minor, on the second fret of the fourth string, and add your index finger to the first fret of the second string. Action, the height of the strings above the frets, is measured at the 1st and 12th frets. I was just trying to learn a new song today with b flat and b flat minor chords and I've been really struggling as the first fret of all 4 strings is incredibly stiff and very difficult to push . I then stack up about .045" in automotive feeler gages and slide the stack in under the strings right up next to the nut. The slight increase in action height gives an acoustic guitar's strings more room to vibrate. That is known as linear tuning. The instrument will come in a hard-shell case. Nuts can be made from a variety of materials but most commonly they are made of ABS plastic or bone. You must measure the height from the top of the neck to the end of the string. Action is the height of the strings from the fretboard. Check & Set Action- string height to fret (action) at 12th fret and 1st fret (set within range 2.25 to 3 mm at 12th, 0.50 to .75mm on 1st fret) Check for buzzing - open and all notes up entire fretboard (address issues accordingly) Truss rod adjustment. You can use a Stew-Mac string action gauge, feeler gauges or a little ruler to measure the string height. Next, the neck is the section of the ukulele that you hold with your fretting hand. String Height Gauge Fret Rocker Leveling Tool: Made of High quality 6061 aluminum, With scales(0.02-0.14inch) for string height and with conversion chart of string action at 12th fret printed on one side, can use it to measure the the strings height and indicate uneven fret heights and ensure the final height, the body with sapphire blue . Apr 18, 2013. Neck Material:One Piece Mahogany Fingerboard:Ebony Fingerboard Radius:12" Nut:Bone 1 11/16" 1st Fret String Height:.022" 12th Fret String Height:Bass .078" & Treble .062" Fretwire:Jescar FW47104 Scale Length:24 3/4" Body Dimensions:13" x 1 7/8" bridge attachment. The string height markings are at increments of .25mm (1/4mm). The correct height of a string above the fretboard is usually set at the twelfth fret. Then, press down hard and strum. That should place the string height at the nut high enough above the tuners to provide some down force on the nut. 23 ozs. (Artist Series : 2.6mm, Strummer Series : 2.8mm) *Amount listed here is the average of soprano size ukulele for each series. Fret dressing is expert, relief in the neck is about .005". The strings should be supported by the nut only at the edge on the fretboard side, otherwise they may buzz in their slot when playing. Nuts can be made from a variety of materials but most commonly they are made of ABS plastic or bone. We have come up with the top 21 9 concert ukulel string you might be interested in and rated them on factors such as value for money, popularity, usage experience. You're all set and ready to go learning these easy ukulele songs. The construction is impressively well made for a relatively lower-priced instrument, although you could describe the appearance as somewhat plain.. Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for iLuiz Guitar DIY Luthier Tool Set - 13 Different Guitar Bridge Saddle Nut Files AND String Height Gauge Fret Rocker Leveling Tool 9 pcs Sand Paper For Acoustic Guitar, Ukulele, Bass, Electric Guitar at Amazon.com. A week ago, I bought my first guitar, a Fender Bullet. On most all ukuleles that I have set up at the nut, the fret crown height above the fingerboard is usually around .035". FRET DRESSING: this covers the entire process of leveling and dressing the frets. Now you're ready to put some strings on the instrument, if you did not leave the old strings on it to start with (which I prefer). The height of the line above the top of the lower bout at the bridge line is the top of the saddle for this particular action. Now I noticed some fret buzz from the 10th fret and higher, not even on all strings , most noticeable on the 3rd . This high-octave string gives the ukulele . Every uke that we sell is properly and completely "set-up" and fully adjusted before it ships or walks out the door. After that,you can lower the nut slots to bring the string height down at the first fret,at the same time making sure that your strings maintain a proper height up to & past the 12th fret more accurately. First Impressions & Appearance . Top 12 Easy Ukulele Songs with 4 Chords (C, G, Am, F) 1. Answer (1 of 5): The most likely things are that the bridge is in the wrong place or the action is very high and thus sharpening the fretted note. If you want a thing of beauty, this won't exactly rock . neck angle. In my opinion, most factory-made ukuleles have the strings too high at the nut and too low at the saddle. Another test is to play a 12th fret "harmonic" and then check it with a fretted 12 fret note. The string should just clear the first fret. Buy best 9 concert ukulel string tips. A week ago, I bought my first guitar, a Fender Bullet. Using a straight edge, draw a line from the top of the 1st fret to the bridge line, using the 0.10″ increment at the 12th fret as a pivot point. ; You will find these main areas on every type of ukulele, with the only exception being headless ukuleles. Strings vibrate in a wave shape and need plenty of room at the 12th fret to vibrate. We're going to use this to measure our string height at the first fret. The strings are thick and stiff and sound very plasticky when used on plastic ukuleles. Re setup - height of strings above 12th fret should be about max ⅛ inch - more than that and you will get intonation issues. instrument repairs. At the nut - hold string at third fret and the string should just kiss the top of the first fret - if there is lots of daylight when you do that you will get notes going sharp as the nut needs taking down. At the 12th fret, aim for about 2.78mm at the sixth string, and about 1.99mm at the first string. Here is a list of factors that we check and ajdust in a typical set-up: fit and finish. When the bottom of a mark aligns with the bottom of the string, that measurement is the string height at that point. First up, we have the body of the ukulele.This is the part of the instrument where you will strum the strings with your picking hand. ACTION & PLAYABILITY. Fret dressing is expert, relief in the neck is about .005". 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. Some ukuleles sold by Amazon will have a string action of 3.5 or 4mm at the 12th fret, which is very difficult for a beginner to play. Tune to pitch. This makes them hard to play and prone to buzzing. String height or action describes the distance between the top of your frets to the bottom of your strings. I am using Savarez Alliance strings (541-R, 1st; 542-R, 2nd; 543-R, 3rd; 541-J, 4th). Stand the bridge up where it's going to be, and put at least two strings on, the outside 1st and 4th strings. We use a solid piece of cocobolo that acts as a truss rod in the neck of all of our ukuleles. Check it by holding down the string at the third fret - the string bottom should just about kiss the top of the first fret or leave only a tiny bit of daylight. Luckily, you have options! :/ I can either have it so it's easy to play but can't play the first fret on the high e string, or alot harder to play but no buzz on the first fret - choices choices Mar 26, 2013, 5:13 PM The old "4/64" treble, 6/64" bass" (1.6 and 2.5 mm) standard for action height works fine for me. String height check String height is important for good playability. This distance plays a key role in your setup because it determines the ease in which your guitar can be played. A doubled business card would indicate extremely high nut height, a single business card would indicate way too high. SAS-4 Soprano Acacia neck is made of Okoume and has a Walnut fretboard and bridge and comes with fabric added Aquila strings easier and more quality play. A good action height at the 12th fret is 2.5mm to 3mm from the fret to the bottom of the string. Set string height in the nut. The part in between the headstock and the fretboard that the strings rest on is called the nut. 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