What raising action means and why you might need to do it
Action is the distance between your strings and the fretboard. Raising action means making that gap bigger — moving the strings higher off the neck. You do this by adjusting the bridge, the nut, or both, depending on where the problem sits and what sound you want.
Most players lower action to make the guitar easier to play. But sometimes you need to raise it: if strings buzz against the frets when you play, if you want a fuller tone, or if your neck has a slight backward bow that won't go away with a truss rod adjustment. Raising action is also common on acoustic guitars, where higher action is the factory standard.
The two places to adjust are the bridge (which you can usually change yourself) and the nut (which often requires a specialist). Where you adjust depends on whether the problem is everywhere on the neck or only in one section.
Key Takeaways
- Action is measured at the 12th fret and typically ranges from 2.0 to 2.5 mm on the bass side for electric guitars, higher on acoustics.
- Bridge adjustments work for most players and can be done at home with basic tools on electric guitars with adjustable bridges.
- Nut adjustments require removing and reshaping the nut, a job best left to a repair technician unless you have experience.
- Raising action too high makes the guitar harder to play and can hurt intonation, so small adjustments in 0.5 mm steps work better than large ones.
- Acoustic guitars usually need a bridge replacement to raise action permanently, which is a job for a luthier.
Measuring your current action before you adjust
Before you change anything, measure where you are now. Use a ruler or a feeler gauge (a thin metal strip used in automotive work, available at hardware stores). Place it flat on the frets and measure the gap between the top of the ruler and the bottom of the string at the 12th fret — the middle of the neck.
Write down the measurement on both the bass side (thickest strings) and the treble side (thinnest strings). Most electric guitars sit between 1.5 and 2.5 mm at the 12th fret. Acoustics are usually higher, around 2.5 to 3.0 mm. If your measurement is lower than you want and you hear buzzing, raising action will help.
Check the neck for a bow while you are measuring. Sight down the fretboard from the headstock toward the body — you should see a very slight curve, not a straight line or a backward bend. If the neck bows backward (the strings sit higher in the middle than at the ends), a truss rod adjustment might solve your buzz problem without raising action.
Adjusting the bridge on an electric guitar
Electric guitars with adjustable bridges — Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters, and many others — let you raise action by turning bridge saddle screws or by swapping saddles for taller ones. The exact method depends on your bridge type.
On a Fender-style bridge with individual saddles, each saddle usually has two screws on the sides. Turning these screws clockwise raises the saddle and the string height. Raise both sides equally to keep the string level. Make small turns — a quarter turn at a time — and check the height with your ruler after each adjustment. You can raise the bass and treble sides independently if one side needs more height than the other.
On a hardtail bridge (a solid bridge with no moving parts), you may not be able to adjust action without replacing the bridge saddle or the entire bridge. Some hardtail bridges have shims — thin pieces of material — under the saddle that you can add to raise height. If your bridge does not have adjustable saddles or shims, a replacement bridge designed for your guitar model is the next step.
After each adjustment, retune the guitar and check the action again. Small changes compound, so patience saves you from overshooting.
Adjusting the nut on any guitar
The nut is the small piece at the headstock where the strings rest before they reach the tuning pegs. If your action is high at the first fret but normal at the 12th fret, the nut may be cut too low. Raising nut action requires removing the nut and reshaping it — a job that demands precision and experience.
Most players should take this to a repair technician. A luthier or experienced guitar tech can remove the nut, sand it taller, and re-cut the string slots so each string sits at the right height and angle. This costs between $50 and $150 depending on your area and the nut material.
If you want to try it yourself, you will need a nut file set (specialized files shaped to match string widths), a way to hold the nut steady, and patience. The risk is cutting the slots unevenly or damaging the nut beyond repair. For most players, the cost of a technician is worth avoiding a ruined nut and a trip to buy a replacement.
Raising action on an acoustic guitar
Acoustic guitars have a fixed bridge glued to the top of the body. You cannot adjust it with screws. To raise action permanently, you need a new bridge or a bridge shim — a thin layer of material glued under the existing bridge to lift it higher.
A bridge shim is the cheaper option and works for small raises (up to about 3 mm). A luthier glues a shim under the bridge, then re-glues the bridge on top. This costs $40 to $80. A full bridge replacement — removing the old bridge, cleaning the glue, and installing a new one — costs $150 to $300 and is the permanent solution if you want a large raise or if the original bridge is damaged.
The nut on an acoustic can also be adjusted the same way as on an electric, but the work is the same: take it to a technician. Acoustic nuts are often made of bone and require careful handling.
How much to raise action and what to expect
Raising action too much makes the guitar harder to play and can hurt intonation — the strings will be harder to press down, and bending notes becomes tiring. A good target is 0.5 mm higher than where you started. Measure, adjust, play for a few days, and decide if you need more.
If you raised action to fix buzzing, the buzz should disappear once the strings clear the frets. If it persists, the problem may be a bent fret or a neck that needs a truss rod adjustment, not action height. If you raised action for tone, listen for a fuller, rounder sound — this is subtle and takes a few days of playing to hear clearly.
Remember that action preferences are personal. Some players like it low for speed; others prefer it higher for tone and to avoid buzz. There is no single "correct" height — only what works for your hands, your playing style, and your guitar.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to have a tech raise my action?
Bridge adjustments on electric guitars with adjustable bridges are often free if you do it yourself, or $30 to $60 if a tech does it. Nut work costs $50 to $150. Acoustic bridge work ranges from $40 for a shim to $300 for a full replacement. Call local repair shops for exact pricing in your area.
Will raising action hurt my guitar?
No, if done correctly. Raising action is a normal adjustment that many guitars need at some point. The only risk is raising it too much, which makes playing uncomfortable, or doing the work carelessly and damaging the bridge or nut. Small, measured adjustments are safe.
Can I raise action on a guitar with a floating bridge?
Yes, but it depends on the bridge type. Some floating bridges (like those on semi-hollow guitars) have adjustable saddles similar to Fender bridges. Others are fixed and require a bridge replacement or shim. Check your guitar's manual or ask a tech which type you have.
What if raising action does not stop the buzzing?
Buzzing can come from a bent fret, a neck that bows the wrong way, or loose hardware. If raising action does not fix it, the problem is likely in the frets or neck. A technician can sight the fretboard and tell you whether the neck needs a truss rod adjustment or whether a fret needs leveling.
How long does it take to adjust action myself?
On an electric guitar with adjustable saddles, 15 to 30 minutes if you work slowly and measure carefully. On an acoustic or a guitar that needs nut work, plan on a week or more if you are sending it to a tech — most shops have a turnaround time of five to ten business days.