https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/martin-acoustic-string-height-setup/ Guitar Noise Discussion Board en-US Thu, 04 Jun 2026 09:54:57 +0000 wpForo 60 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/martin-acoustic-string-height-setup/#post-171849 Sat, 15 Apr 2006 00:34:25 +0000 Guitar Repair and Maintenance art&lutherie https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/martin-acoustic-string-height-setup/#post-171849 https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/martin-acoustic-string-height-setup/#post-17054 Fri, 14 Apr 2006 07:46:28 +0000
I got my first "better" guitar. :D I found a used Martin D15 on Craigslist that was so clean, you couldn't even tell it had been played. I mean it looks like a virgin! Sounds beautiful and the mahogony looks great! And, I got it for $450, which I think was a great deal. 8) I've been playing a nice little entry-level Dean acoustic with a nice & easy low action. Very playable and easy to learn on.

So here's the problem: compared to the low action on the Dean, the Martin feels higher and harder to play. I checked the setup per Nil's site (Thanks, Nils, very informative and helpful) and read the frets.com site on setup and read lots of the GN threads on action, string height and adjusting the saddle.

I got out the feeler gauges (yes I'm old enough to have an old set in the toolchest, but why do I have a metric set when I worked mostly on Chevys???) and took measurements. The high e measured out at ~2.3mm at the 12 fret, much higher than the "standard" 1.59mm Nils' site suggests. 0.7mm's is a big relative difference from the 1.59mm, but it's actually a pretty small increment.


My question is this (finally, sorry I'm long-winded)... Is this a big enough difference to affect playability and is it worth adjusting the saddle? Or is the difference too small to have a very noticeable affect? :? Am I just experiencing problems adapting to the new Martin compared to the little Dean? I play mostly finger style and don't have a heavy hand, so I don't think a high action is appropriate for my style of play (LOL... as if I had any style of play).

I love the sound of the Martin and want to make it just right, so I'd appreciate your help.
Thanks,
Dave]]> Guitar Repair and Maintenance whoelse https://guitarnoise.forum/guitar-repair-and-maintenance/martin-acoustic-string-height-setup/#post-17054