Harley Benton Parts String Action Gauge

Simple yet very useful tool for getting your strings and pick ups where you want them.

If slightly rough edge, some ultra fine sandpaper is in order to smooth the surface just a tiny little bit.

My suggestion is to do the measurements in a well light area and working on an adequate height to avoid angles of sight messing with actual measures.

Maybe for next model, it would be a substantial improvement to make it in some lively color with same black stripes measure lines as it has now.

A great little tool that you can always take with you due to its credit card size.

One of these tools that you will not need or use on a daily basis but which every once in a while will be indispensable.

Measure your action for every string and pickup heights in metric or imperial. Document them and then change according to your playability and tonal preferences. Having a documented baseline is always going to help you and will let you see in an instant any changes in the setup; for example due to seasonal changes, guitar string gauge/brand changes, tuning changes etc. You don’t need this tool to set up your guitar but it sure as heck helps and really helps to ensure consistency. I’d recommend this along with a fret rocker and board guard as the first tools to own after a string winder.

The quality of this action gauge is very nice. The metal is thick enough so the gauge does not bend. The markings are clear and easy to read. The string height markers are not just line marks, as with some other manufacturers, but are coloured-stacks. This makes it easier to assess the actual height of the string. Very helpful.
It has every possible marks for string and pickup adjustments. Recommended values for guitar/bass string height, printed on the back give a good starting point for further adjustments, especially for those who are new to setting up their own guitars.
Overall, a great tool at fraction of the price you pay for some other brands. Highly recommended.

Big downside: it's factory cut very bad, which means its edges are sharp. Especially with the fact that the rule is quite thin and made of steel, while your frets are usually alloy of softer metals. If you apply it to your frets, trying to check the level, for example - be prepared the frets will have scratches, and some of them may be quite deep (dents) the polishing won't help. Same stands for leveling the pickups - beware placing this ruler on top of your body finish, as it ends up with you having scratches there as well. So, while the idea of this ruler is great, the implementation and cheap "cutting" makes the deal not worth it.