Guitarist Authority

How To Put On A Guitar Strap? Easy Steps With Tips!

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how to put on a guitar strap

How to put on a guitar strap? Attaching a guitar strap is easy and simple. The reason you would attach a guitar strap to be able to play while in a standing position.

Below I’ll talk about different strap attachments, depending on the guitar. I’ll also talk about ways to keep your strap from falling off and potentially causing damage to your guitar mid jam session!

WHICH WAY SHOULD I ATTACH THE STRAP?

Does it matter which end of the strap you attach to each pin? It depends on the strap but for the majority of straps, yes, it does matter.

If your strap is wider on one end, this would be the end that attaches closest to the neck or headstock. This is because the wider end of the strap is supposed to sit comfortably over your shoulder.

If your strap is the same width for the full length, it’s recommended to attach the strap so the length adjustment buckle is closest to the bridge of the guitar, this will make sure the buckle is behind you and not uncomfortably resting on your shoulder.

STRAP PINS

strap pin

Strap pins are knobs that are screwed to a guitar body. These pins enable you to securely attach a strap to your guitar.

How To Put On A Guitar Strap? Attaching To One Strap Pin

one strap pin

Some guitars, mainly acoustic guitars, will have only one strap pin.

To attach a strap to a guitar with one strap pin, push one end of the strap over the strap pin on the body of the guitar nearest the bridge. Make sure this end of the strap is secure and will not slip off.

To attach the other end of the strap to your guitar you will need to attach to the headstock, above the nut, using a string or strap. A leather shoe lace works well here but you can use anything that will not damage the finish of your guitar.

Insert the string, lace or strap through the hole of the guitar strap. Feed one end of the string, lace or strap UNDERNEATH the strings above the nut. Tie off securely, confirming your chosen knot does not put pressure on the strings.

How To Put On A Guitar Strap? Attaching To Two Strap Pins

top strap pin

Attaching a strap to two strap pins is easier and straightforward. Most electric guitars and basses will have two strap pins.

Slip each hole on each end of your strap over the strap pins on either side of the guitar body. Make sure they are secured and cannot easily slip off. That’s it!

How To Put On A Guitar Strap? Attaching A Strap If No Strap Pins Available

Although not as common, some guitars (mainly classical) may have no strap pins at all. To attach a strap to a guitar with no strap pins you will need a special strap especially made for this type of guitar, commonly called a classical guitar strap or loop strap.

Attach near the headstock using the same method you use to attach to a guitar with only one strap pin. Use a string, lace strap to wrap or tie off above the nut on the headstock.

To attach the strap to the body, this type of strap will have some sort of a clip that will feed underneath the guitar body and clip onto the soundhole.

The downside of this strap is that it uses gravity to keep the strap attached to the body, so it’s up to you to be aware.

STRAP LOCKS

Strap locks do exactly what their name says. They lock the strap to your guitar making sure the strap cannot slip off mid jam session. I’ve had this happen myself and although I got away with only a dent in my guitar, it’s not a fun experience and can potentially do some serious damage to your guitar.

I highly recommend that you use strap locks, especially if you frequently play standing, or move a lot when playing guitar.

ADJUSTING A GUITAR STRAP

Guitar straps may have an adjustment buckle or a feed-through system.

Adjustment buckles on a strap work just like any other adjustment buckle you’ve come across. Loosen at the buckle, make it shorter or longer and tighten again.

Feed-through systems are commonly used with leather straps. Back the thinner strap completely out of the slot so you end up with two separate leather pieces. Decide which slot on the larger leather piece you need to place the smaller leather piece through. Place the smaller leather strap through the slot on the larger strap and back through itself.

HOW TO PUT ON A GUITAR STRAP? FINAL THOUGHTS

As you can see, attaching a strap to a guitar is an easy, straightforward process.

It’s a good idea to make sure to check your strap and strap pins for any damage or irregularities EVERY time you play.

Preventative inspection and maintenance will help avoid a possible accident which may damage your guitar.

Check the strap holes for wear to make sure they haven’t gotten larger, which could easily slip off the strap pins.

Check that your strap pins are not loose. It is possible for the strap pin screws to loosen up over time or possibly strip the hole they are in.

I hope this helps, thank you for reading.

Who Invented The Guitar? Origins, History and Modern Day

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who invented the guitar

Who invented the guitar? Origins of stringed instruments go back thousands of years. No one actually knows who invented the very first guitar. We have an idea of how the guitar has evolved through history but no definitive proof of the very first guitar or who invented it. We do however know who invented what we know today as modern guitars.

In this article I’ll provide some history regarding the origins of guitars and how they evolved. I’ll also talk about who invented the modern guitars that we know today.

What we know about the origins of the guitar:

Har-Mose, an Egyptian who performed for the likes of Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut, had a three-stringed lute around 3500 years ago.

There is a 3000+ year old stone carving from the Anatolian region (present day Turkey) that shows a person playing a stringed instrument.

The lute, which was a predecessor of the modern style of guitars, was found to be used in Europe between the 6th and 9th centuries.

Five-course guitars, also known as baroque guitars, began to replace the lute as the most popular guitar beginning in the mid-16th century.

Luthiers Jose Benedit, Juan and José Pages and Francisco Sanguino were integral in creating some of the first six course guitars in existence in the latter half of the 1700s.

Gaetano Vinaccia, whose family were violin and mandolin makers, produced one of the first six stringed guitars (known as the Vinaccia guitar) in 1779 in Italy.

Antonio Torres Jurado produced guitars in the 1800s using a larger body and fan bracing. Classical guitars that followed were highly influenced by his designs.

In 1934, Adolph Rickenbacker and George Beauchamp filed the first patent for an “electrical stringed musical instrument”. The patent was granted August 10th, 1937. This was the beginning of the electric guitar.

WHO INVENTED THE ELECTRIC GUITAR?

Adolph Rickenbacker (April 1, 1887 – March 21, 1976) and George Beauchamp (March 18, 1899 – March 30, 1941) filed the patent in 1934.

WHO INVENTED THE ACOUSTIC GUITAR?

We don’t know for sure who invented it, but it was likely invented in Spain in the early 16th century.

The modern acoustic we know today can be traced to Christian Frederick Martin (January 31, 1796 – February 16, 1873), among other German-American luthiers. They created the first X-bracing for acoustic guitars in the 1840s. This bracing was important because it provided the strength to be able to use steel guitar strings.

WHO INVENTED THE BASS GUITAR?

Paul Tutmarc (May 29, 1896 – September 25, 1972) is credited with inventing the first electric bass guitar in the 1930s.

WHO INVENTED THE 12 STRING GUITAR?

There is no definitive answer to who is responsible. 12 string guitars appeared around the end of the 19th century.

WHO INVENTED THE DOUBLE NECK GUITAR?

One of the first double neck guitars was created by Nicholas Alexandre Voboam II (1634/46–1692/1704) in 1690.

WHO INVENTED THE STEEL GUITAR? (Lap Steel & Pedal Steel)

Joseph Kekuku (1874–1932) is credited with inventing the steel guitar.

WHO INVENTED THE CLASSICAL GUITAR?

Antonio Torres Jurado (1817–1892) (Modern dimensions)

WHO INVENTED THE FENDER GUITAR?

Clarence Leonidas Fender (August 10, 1909 – March 21, 1991), known as Leo, invented the Fender Telecaster in 1950 and the Fender Stratocaster in 1954.

WHO INVENTED THE 7 STRING GUITAR?

The 7 string guitar’s history goes back over hundreds of years. No one person can be attributed to being the definitive inventor.

The first modern, solid-body, 7 string electric guitar was built by Kirk Sand in 1982.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON WHO INVENTED THE GUITAR?

As you can see, guitars and more specifically fretted, stringed instruments date back thousands of years. It’s interesting to see how these guitars evolved over time.

Previous build techniques have led the way for the modern guitar designs we see today. It’s fascinating to think about what guitar designs will look like in the future. Thank you for reading.

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How Many Frets On A Guitar? Variations Explained

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how many frets on a guitar - banner

How many frets on a guitar? Acoustic guitars have between 18 and 24 frets, the most common is 20 frets. Electric guitars have between 19 and 36 frets, the most common number of frets on electric guitars are 21, 22 and 24. Bass guitars have between 19 and 36, the most common number of frets on a bass guitar is 20.

I’ve noticed most online resources answering this question do not even mention guitars and basses with over 24 frets, which I found odd. Even though these higher fretted instruments are not as common and some are custom shop only, we feel we have to mention them in the topic of how many frets on a guitar. Below I’ll go more in depth into frets on different styles of guitars.

HOW MANY FRETS ON AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR?

how many frets on a guitar - acoustic

Acoustic guitars have between 18 and 24 frets, the most common is 20 frets.

You may also hear acoustic guitars called either 12 fret or 14 fret guitars. Know that this DOES NOT mean the number of frets on the fretboard. This refers to where the neck is attached to the body, at either the 12th or 14th fret.

HOW MANY FRETS ON AN ELECTRIC GUITAR?

how many frets on a guitar - electric

Electric guitars have between 19 and 36 frets, the most common number of frets on electric guitars are 21, 22 and 24.

Popular electric guitars and their frets:

Fender Stratocaster guitars, depending on model, will have either 21, 22 or 24 frets.
21 Frets: SRV Signature, Vintera ’50s and The American Original
22 Frets: Performer, Ultra, Acoustasonic and Player
24 Frets: HM Strat

Gibson Les Paul guitars, depending on model, will have either 22 or 24 frets.
22 Frets: Most Gibson Les Paul guitars
24 Frets: Gibson Buckethead Signature Les Paul, Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut
Examples of guitars with 19 or more frets:
19 Frets: Godin MultiAc Grand Concert, The Loar guitars – models: LH-309, LH-600 & LH-700 (Note: these are Acoustic-Electric guitars).
20 Frets: Squier Mini Strat and Mini Jazzmaster, Heritage Standard Eagle, Godin Radiator, multiple Guild, Epiphone and Ibanez models.
21 Frets: Fender, Squier, Gibson, Taylor, Danelectro, Rickenbacker, Godin, Kramer, G&L, ESP. Plenty of manufacturers build 21 fret guitars.
23 Frets: Guild Surfliner
24 Frets: Ibanez, PRS, ESP, Schecter, Jackson, Kramer, Charvel, Ernie Ball Music Man, Strandberg and many more manufacturers build 24 fret guitars.
26 Frets: Recording King lap steel guitars.
27 Frets: Ibanez – certain Prestige models, Jake Bowen signature. Caparison Guitars – Horus and TAT models. Washburn, Hamer.
28 Frets: Gretsch – certain lap steel models
29 Frets: Washburn EC29, Gary Kramer R-29
30 Frets: Sky Guitars – multiple, Ibanez RG550XH
31 Frets: Hondo II Longhorn Vintage, 1958 Danelectro Guitarlin
32 Frets: Hondo Longhorn Guitarlin
36 Frets: Hamer, Washburn EC36, Gary Kramer R-36, Abstract Prodigy 36
38 Frets: ‘Said Too Much Productions’ 3D printed a 38 fret guitar so he could hit C8 on a guitar

HOW MANY FRETS ON A BASS GUITAR?

how many frets on a guitar - bass

Bass guitars have between 19 and 36, the most common number of frets on a bass guitar is 20.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A CLASSICAL GUITAR?

how many frets on a guitar - classical

Standard classical guitars mostly have 19 frets. However, there are also 20 – 24 fret models available.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A ½ SIZE GUITAR?

½ size guitars have 18-20 frets depending on make/model. Fender Redondo Mini has 18 frets. Most ½ size guitars have 19 frets. Yamaha makes a ½ size guitar with 20 frets.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A ¾ SIZE GUITAR?

¾ size guitars have 18-24 frets depending on make/model.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A BARITONE GUITAR?

Most acoustic baritone guitars will typically have 20 frets. Most electric baritone guitars have 22 or 24 frets.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A FLAMENCO GUITAR?

The most common fret number for Flamenco guitars is 19.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A CIGAR BOX GUITAR?

Many cigar box guitar builds have either 17 or 19 frets. However, there are cigar box guitars with upwards of 24 frets as well.

HOW MANY FRETS ON A LES PAUL GUITAR?

how many frets on a guitar - les paul

As mentioned above, most Gibson Les Paul guitars have 22 frets. However, they did make some models with 24 frets such as the Gibson Buckethead Signature Les Paul and the Gibson Les Paul Standard Double Cut.

WHY DO ELECTRIC GUITARS HAVE MORE FRETS THAN ACOUSTIC GUITARS?

Since acoustic guitars produce their own sound they are built specially for tone. The number of frets, body size, scale length and other factors all affect resonation. This isn’t an issue with electric guitars as they have their sound produced through passive or active pickups and a guitar amplifier.

WHAT ARE GUITAR FRETS?

what are guitar frets

Guitar frets are metal strips inserted on the fretboard of a guitar or stringed instrument. Each fret represents one semitone. The importance of frets is so you do not have to be exact with your finger placement to play the correct note.

What are guitar frets made of?

There are two main types of fret wire:

Nickel silver, don’t be fooled, it doesn’t contain any silver. They are made up of a mixture of copper, nickel and possibly zinc or other trace amounts of metal materials.

Stainless steel, self-explanatory but harder for luthiers to work with and more costly, both in materials and labor.

Fret wire sizes:

6230 – Vintage frets (smallest) – .078″ x .043″
6105 – Modern narrow and tall – .090″ x .055″
6150 – Vintage jumbo – .102″ x .042″
6130 – Medium Jumbo – .106″ x .036″
6100 – Jumbo – .110″ x .055″

FINAL THOUGHTS ON – HOW MANY FRETS DOES A GUITAR HAVE?

For most guitarists, the standard of 20 frets for an acoustic or 21-24 frets for an electric is sufficient. Only if you need to play a specific piece you would otherwise be unable to play do you really need to start looking at 24+ fret guitars.

To expand the amount of tones you are able to play, I would sooner recommend a 7 or 8 string guitar over say a 36 fret guitar. I hope this helps, thanks for reading!

How Many Strings Does A Guitar Have? At Least Four

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Straightforward and simple answer to how many strings does a guitar have? Acoustic or electric guitars have at least six strings. Bass guitars have at least four strings.

If that’s all you needed to know, thanks for reading! However, if you’d like to learn more regarding some nuances to this question as well as different types of guitars and guitar related instruments, keep reading below.

HOW MANY STRINGS DOES AN ACOUSTIC GUITAR HAVE?

Six-String Acoustic Guitar

An acoustic guitar, as we know it today, has at least six strings. Standard tuning of an acoustic guitar is E A D G B E.

Seven-String Acoustic Guitar

Also known as a Russian or Gypsy guitar. They are usually tuned to open G tuning (D G B D G B D).

Twelve-String Acoustic Guitar

Twelve strings, each of the six strings (E A D G B E) is doubled up (E E A A D D G G B B E E). However, each of the four lower pairs of tunings E A D G, have one string in the lower octave and one in a higher octave. The pairs of tunings for the higher B and E strings are tuned in the same octave.

HOW MANY STRINGS DOES AN ELECTRIC GUITAR HAVE?

Six-String Electric Guitar

Just like the acoustic guitar, electric guitars have at least six strings. However, there are also seven and eight string guitars. Standard tuning of an electric guitar is E A D G B E.

Seven-String Electric Guitar

Have an extra lower string, usually tuned to B or C.

Eight-String Electric Guitar

Have the lower string added just like the seven string guitar but they also have a higher string, usually tuned to A.

Twelve-String Electric Guitar

Same explanation as the acoustic twelve string guitar. Twelve strings, each of the six strings (E A D G B E) is doubled up (E E A A D D G G B B E E). However, each of the four lower pairs of tunings E A D G, have one string in the lower octave and one in a higher octave. The pairs of tunings for the higher B and E strings are tuned in the same octave.

Double and Multiple-Neck Electric Guitars

Common setups are one six sting neck and one twelve string neck. However, Rick Neilsen from the band Cheap Trick has different multi-neck guitars from two all the way up to nine!

HOW MANY STRINGS DOES A BASS GUITAR HAVE?

Four-String Bass Guitar

Bass guitars have at least four strings. That being said, there are also five and six string bass guitars. Standard tuning of a bass guitar is E A D G.

Five-String Bass Guitar

Five string bass guitars have an extra lower string. Usually tuned to B.

Six-String Bass Guitar

Six string bass guitars have the extra lower B string as well as an extra high string, usually tuned to C.

HOW MANY STRINGS DO GUITAR RELATED INSTRUMENTS HAVE?

Ukulele

Commonly has four strings. Standard tuning is G C E A.

Mandolin

Most mandolins have eight strings but there are also ten and twelve string mandolins.

Banjo

Banjos have four, five or six strings.

Lap-Steel Guitars

These guitars are commonly six stringed, although some have eight. Their bodies are smaller than standard electric guitars and are open-tuned.

Pedal-Steel Electric Guitars

Similar in some ways to the lap-steel, these are the guitars with the smooth sliding twangy sound that you hear in countless country songs.

Different variations have been made in single, double or triple fret boards with six to fourteen strings.

Touch Guitar

Have either eight or ten strings and a range of over five octaves.

Harp Guitar

In addition to a more standard guitar neck. A harp guitar also contains unstopped open strings like you would see on a harp.

Common setups are six standard strings and either five or six harp strings.

FINAL THOUGHT

Once again to answer the questions of how many strings does a guitar have? The simplest answer is at least four. Standard acoustic and electric guitars have six. Standard bass guitars have four. An in-depth answer needs context, hopefully we have provided that here. Thanks for reading!

How To Hold A Guitar Pick – Basics and Pro Tips

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how to hold a guitar pick

How to hold a guitar pick? If you’re reading this, we’ll assume you are just starting out your journey as a guitarist, congratulations! You’ve made the decision to learn and enjoy this passion that will be rewarding for life and in return, give you back so much more than you put into it.

What is the BEST answer to the question of how to hold a guitar pick? The short answer is: whichever way is the most comfortable. This may seem silly, obvious or unproductive but it’s the truth.

For example, Brian May of Queen is known for using a sixpence coin for a guitar pick. The reason I bring this up is because he used to use picks that have more bend and decided he liked a more rigid feel. To make effective use of this sixpence pick however, Brian stated: “I changed the way that I held the pick, sort of bending one of the fingers around, and I never went back from that point.”

Remember Brian Mays’ words if someone were to tell you that you MUST hold a pick a certain way. It’s not true, you need to be comfortable. Every person’s hands, fingers, strength, flexibility and skill level are different. It makes sense that there would not be one definitive way of how to hold a guitar pick.

Another important note is that you are not required to use a pick at all! Plenty of guitarists use techniques such as hand strumming and/or fingerstyle and never even touch a pick. These ideas/techniques will be covered in another article.

Below I’ll explain the basics of how to hold a guitar pick, some tips and tricks, answer some questions and hopefully by the end you’ll have a good understanding of how to hold a guitar pick that will be comfortable and support your play style now and in the future.

HOW TO HOLD A GUITAR PICK – BASICS

The process is simple:

  • The pick is held between your thumb and forefinger on your strumming hand. Right hand for standard guitars, left hand for, you guessed it, left-handed guitars (less common).
  • The tip of the pick should face 90 degrees from your thumb.
  • How much of the pick is exposed is your preference. Begin with a small amount, around 1 cm protruding and adjust based on your comfort level.
  • Grip strength is important! You want to make sure the pick does not slip but you don’t want to hold it like your life depends on it. The goal is control without hand cramping or fatigue. You will also have to adjust your grip strength on the pick depending on if you are picking or strumming. Picking will require a bit more grip strength than strumming. You’ll notice strumming with a tight grip is not smooth as you want the pick to float on the strings.
  • The most important aspect of holding a pick is comfort

HOW TO HOLD A GUITAR PICK – TECHNIQUES, REALLY?

You may have heard of several different pick holding techniques such as:

  • The fist method
  • The pinch method
  • The O method

Do not be overwhelmed or confused by these techniques and their names. They are NOT definitive for certain styles, nor is there any reason to adhere to one over the others. The information out there regarding these techniques is just altering pick or finger positions slightly.

Some websites are trying to say that one of these techniques is better for thinner picks, etc… This is utter nonsense. As I touched on earlier, hands, fingers, strength and flexibility are different for everyone and what works well for one person, may not work well for others.

I’ll emphasize again, the most important aspect of holding a guitar pick is comfort.

HOW TO HOLD A GUITAR PICK – PRO TIPS

To show again that there are multiple ways of how to hold a guitar pick and none are wrong, I’ve compiled a few videos so you can see how different professionals hold their picks. I’m not saying you should hold your pick like any of these professionals but it’s interesting to see how effective these different styles are.

Eddie Van Halen – No introduction needed… But seriously, if you aren’t aware, Eddie Van Halen was the lead guitarist of the band Van Halen which he founded with his brother Alex in 1972. He is regarded as one of the greatest rock guitarists of all time.

Eddie holds his pick between his thumb and middle finger with little support from his index finger. When asked about this technique Eddie said that his mom had bought him a guitar book and that book showed an image of holding the pick between your thumb and index finger and he just couldn’t do it. “Well, I couldn’t, for the life of me, hold it like that. It was very uncomfortable, and I felt like I had absolutely no control of the pick.”

Regarding which way to hold a pick, Eddie says: “Bottom line is, and I say this a lot, do whatever works best for you.”

Michael Angelo Batio – Formerly the lead guitarist of the heavy metal band Nitro. Touring guitarist for the band Manowar. Voted No. 1 Fastest Guitar Shredder of All Time” by Guitar One Magazine in 2003.

Michael Angelo Batio when asked about his picking was quoted as saying, “”I was lucky – I did it by accident, but then I analyzed it, and realized why it works.” However, he also mentions, “”If you ever watch my teaching, I never tell another guitar player to play like me. I say, what I do is similar to other great guitar players, and you have a choice of two ways or a combination of both. But I never tell anybody to play like me.”

Marty Friedman – Best known for being the lead guitarist of the band Megadeath from 1990-2000.

When asked about his picking style, he mentions, “”I really have no idea. It’s like I hold my hand upside down or something. And I don’t really know the origin of it, there’s no real reason behind it. It just happened.”

FINAL THOUGHT

Try different picks, grips, positions and angles. Choose a grip that’s comfortable for you. We hope this article was helpful and informative. Get shredding!

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Using Thumb On Guitar? Fret Or Strum, It’s Helpful For Both Hands!

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using thumb on guitar

Interested in using thumb on guitar? Can you use your thumb(s) to play guitar? The answer, regardless of which hand, is YES. The thumb on your fret hand can be used to play chords such as D/F#. The thumb on your right hand can be used in fingerstyle or finger-picking guitar.

In this article, we will talk about the history and techniques related to using your thumb to play guitar. We also provide some examples of musicians and songs which utilize these techniques.

Using Thumb on Guitar – Fret Hand (Thumb-over method)

History

The thumb on your fret hand can be used to assist with chords as well as dampen or mute the E string. Barre chords or slash chords are where this is most useful.

This technique has been used since the late 19th century with the introduction of steel-stringed guitars. These guitars had narrower necks than the previous classical style which enabled more use of this thumb-over technique.

Violinists/fiddlers have used this technique in their performances for centuries.

Problems/Issues

 Some people may find this difficult due to the following reasons:

  • Hand size
  • Hand/thumb flexibility
  • Goes against the “proper” way to hold a guitar neck
  • Uncomfortable
  • Can slow down chord changes
  • Other fingers may unintentionally mute strings

The good news, however, is that most of these problems can be resolved with plenty of practice or hand stretches. Getting a guitar with a thinner neck will also make this much easier.

Guitarists

Notable guitarists who use the thumb-over chord technique:

Jimi Hendrix

Bold As Love – Guitar Chords

Allen Collins (Lynard Skynard)

Free Bird – Guitar Chords

Eddie Vedder (Pearl Jam)

Better Man – Guitar Chords

David Gilmour (Pink Floyd)

Wish You Were Here – Guitar Chords

Using Thumb on Guitar – Strumming Hand

History

The thumb on your strumming hand can be used for fingerstyle, plucking, strumming, and muting.

These techniques have been used since the invention of stringed instruments in the guitar family and are commonly used every day.

Problems/Issues

Some people may find these techniques difficult due to the following:

  • Hand size
  • No callus on the thumb
  • Thumb nail is too long
  • Hand/thumb flexibility
  • Uncomfortable

As with the issues on your fret hand, these issues can generally be resolved with practice and stretching.

Guitarists

Notable guitarists who use this technique:

Tommy Emanuel

Chet Atkins

Michael Hedges

Alex De Grassi

FAQ

Is it okay to play guitar with your thumb?

Yes. Playing guitar with your thumb on either hand is perfectly fine. You need to gauge your comfort level and play the way that feels most natural.

What is the proper thumb position for guitar?

Thumb position will change due to what you’re playing. The goal should be good support with the ability to change chords easily and efficiently. Hand size will play a role here, so you will have to experiment where your thumb feels comfortable.

Can I strum with my thumb?

Yes. Not only can you strum with your thumb, but this is also a great way to build callus and strength in your thumb for easier finger-style playing.

Why does my thumb hurt when I play guitar?

The most logical reasons for thumb pain are lack of strength or pushing too hard on the fretboard. Build your strength by practicing different guitar fingerings and chord changes. Learn to only push as hard as needed to play the note.

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Polyweb Vs Nanoweb – Elixir Guitar Strings

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polyweb vs nanoweb

Contemplating a new set of Elixir Strings and unsure whether to choose Polyweb vs Nanoweb?

We have reviewed the strings, compiled the data and confidently provide you with the info below.

Both string coatings are made by Elixir Strings, we will go over each so you can effectively choose which best suits your style, Polyweb vs Nanoweb.

For those who are just interested in the simplest answer for what the differences are:

Polyweb Guitar Strings

Polyweb strings are coated with a microscopically-thin polymer tube. This coating completely surrounds the string but does not fill the area between windings. This is very important as filling the area would affect vibration and tone.

The Polyweb coating protects the string from corrosion, dirt, grime sweat and humidity. In doing so, it prolongs the life and tone of your strings.

Polyweb strings produce a warm, “played-in” sound and a fast, slick feel.

Gauges Of Polyweb Strings

ACOUSTIC – 80/20 Bronze

Amazon
Extra Light.010 – .047
Custom Light.011 – .052
Light.012 – .053
Light-Medium.012 – .056
Medium.013 – .056
Resonator.016 – .056
12-String Light.010 – .047 & .010 – .027

ELECTRIC – Nickel Plated Steel

Amazon
Super-Light.009 – .042
Custom-Light.009 – .046
Light.010 – .046
Medium.011 – .049

Nanoweb Guitar Strings

Nanoweb strings, like Polyweb, also are coated with a thin, advanced polymer tube. The same rules apply as with the Polyweb, although coated, no coating fills the area between windings.

Nanoweb strings produce a bright tone and have a smooth feel.

Gauges Of Nanoweb Strings

ACOUSTIC – Phosphor Bronze

Amazon
Extra Light.010 – .047
Custom Light.011 – .052
Light.012 – .053
Light-Medium.012 – .056
Medium.013 – .056
HD Light.013 – .053
12-String Light.010 – .047 & .010 – .027

ACOUSTIC – 80/20 Bronze

Amazon
Extra Light.010 – .047
Custom Light.011 – .052
Light.012 – .053
Light-Medium.012 – .056
Medium.013 – .056
HD Light.013 – .053
Baritone.016 – .070
8-String Baritone.016 – .070
12-String Light.010 – .047 & .010 – .027

ELECTRIC – Nickel Plated Steel

Amazon
Super Light.009 – .042
Custom Light.009 – .046
Light.010 – .046
Light-Heavy.010 – .052
Medium.011 – .049
Heavy.012 – .052
Baritone.012 – .068
7-String Super Light.009 – .052
7-String Light.010 – .056
7-String Light/Heavy.010 – .059
7-String Medium.011 – .059
8-String Light.010 – .074
12-String Light.010 – .046 & .010 – .026

ACOUSTIC BASS – 80/20 Bronze

4-String Acoustic Light / Long Scale.045 – .100

ELECTRIC BASS – Nickel-Plated Steel

Amazon
4-String Super Light / Long Scale.040 – .095
4-String Light / Long Scale.045 – .100
4-String Light-Medium / Long Scale.045 – .105
4-String Light-Medium / Extra Long Scale.045 – .105
4-String Medium / Long Scale.050 – .105
5-String Light / Long Scale.045 – .130
5-String Light-Medium / Long Scale.045 – .135

ELECTRIC BASS – Stainless Steel

Amazon
4-String Light / Long Scale.045 – .100
4-String Light-Medium / Long Scale.045 – .105
4-String Medium / Long Scale.050 – .105
5-String Light / Long Scale.045 – .130
5-String Light-Medium / Long Scale.045 – .135

Difference Between Polyweb Vs Nanoweb

Although both have an advanced polymer coating, the difference between the Polyweb vs Nanoweb coating is the thickness. The Nanoweb coating is thinner, this provides a brighter tone, more similar to what you’d expect to hear from a new set of uncoated strings.

The benefit of the thicker Polyweb coating is the extra longevity you can get out of your strings.

Polyweb is the original coating that Elixir produced after their different tests and trials using 15000 guitarists. They further refined their production and testing to produce the ultra-thin Nanoweb coating.

Benefits Of Coated Strings

  • Reduce finger squeak
  • Extended tone life and overall longevity
  • Corrosion resistance

Potential Drawbacks Of Coated Strings

  • Not as ‘bright’ as uncoated strings
  • Feel and tone you are not used to

Artists Using Elixir Strings

JOHN PAUL JONES – Bassist for Led Zeppelin

MARCUS KING – The Marcus King Band, Grammy Award nominee for the Best Americana Album

WAYNE SERMON – Lead guitarist for Imagine Dragons

PHIL KEAGGY – 7-time recipient of the GMA Dove Award for Instrumental Album of the Year and two-time Grammy Award nominee for Best Gospel Album

SUS VASQUEZ – Guitarist for Grammy-winning Latina artist Karol G

KAKI KING – Contributed music to the movie ‘Into the Wild’ which earned Golden Globe nominations for Best Original Score

GREG KARAS – Guitarist for certified triple-platinum recording artist Andy Grammer

CHRIS TOMLIN – 23 GMA Dove Awards, Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Christian Music Album and two certified platinum albums

RICHARD THOMPSON – Multiple Grammy Award nominee

ZACH COMTOIS – Guitarist for Britney Spears

MASSIMO VARINI – Four-time Grammy Award winner

ERIC BIBB – Multiple Grammy Award nominee

ERIC CHURCH – Multiple award-winning recording artist

DAN TYMINSKI – Winner of 14 Grammy Awards

Conclusion

The Polyweb vs Nanoweb debate will surely continue as it is completely based on preference. You can either choose Polyweb for its played-in tone and slick feel or Nanoweb for the brighter sound. What is your Elixir String preference?

Check out our How To String A Guitar guide for tips on swapping your strings!

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The 5 BEST Finger Exercise Tools – Guitar Finger Strengthener

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guitar finger strengthener

This is our review for the best guitar finger strengthener.

Hand exerciser, guitar finger strengthener, finger exercise tool. Different names, same application. If you are looking to build hand and/or finger strength, these tools can be extremely useful. However, we recommend building finger strength actually playing the guitar. There is no substitute for this, PLAY THE GUITAR!

In situations where playing your guitar is not possible, these become a great second option for finger strength. They are small, portable and packable. You can use them at work, on the road, at home, almost anywhere and anytime which makes them very practical.

After reviewing multiple guitar finger strengthener tools, we have chosen the D’Addario Varigrip as our pick. This is due to the adjustable resistance and the simulated strings for callus building. We find that geared towards guitarists, this is the best option.

If you are looking for a finger exercise tool for therapy/rehab, we found the PROHANDS product lineup to be the best as they cater specifically to this purpose.

Below you will find our reviews for the best guitar finger strengthener.

D’Addario Varigrip

The D’Addario Varigrip is the only guitar finger strengthener on our list that is produced from a guitar-related manufacturer. Although most finger/hand exercisers operate in similar a way by providing resistance to individual fingers.

We think that a company in the guitar-related industry creating this product really shows who they have geared the design and function towards.

What we like about this guitar finger strengthener

The variable tension that is adjustable for each individual finger is great. No need to have to set all tensions the same if you have one or two fingers lacking or if you have a predominately strong single finger.

The ergonomic design ensures you are getting the most benefits from your finger exercises without using a level of grip strength that is not required.

By removing the palm padding, you get access to the molded, simulated guitar strings to help build and maintain calluses. We like this very much as it adds another level of usage that was well thought out.

What we don’t like:

There is no mention of exactly what the range of variable resistance is. We’ve found a lot of info that states either: “2-4 lbs” or “2-5 lbs”. However, the manufacturer does not clarify.

Dynatomy VariGrip Sport

The Dynatomy Varigrip Sport is based off the same design as the D’Addario Varigrip. We like the D’Addario very much and we feel the same about the Dynatomy.

What we like about this guitar finger strengthener:

Again, the variable resistant adjustment is highly beneficial. The Dynatomy Varigrip Sport comes in two different resistance variations:

  • Medium – Extra-Heavy: 6-9 lbs variable, adjustable resistance
  • Extra-Heavy – Extra-Extra-Heavy: 9-12 lbs variable, adjustable resistance

The simulated molded guitar strings under the palm pad are highly beneficial and a great addition. You can build and/or maintain calluses with ease.

What we don’t like:

People seem to have an issue with pinching their fingers if not completely centering their fingertips on the plungers.

Digi-Flex Hand Exerciser

Although not dedicated towards guitar players, the Digi-Flex Hand Exerciser is an effective tool with multiple resistances available.

What we like about this guitar finger strengthener:

Solid build, no issues with stuck plungers or pinched fingers. This is important as this device is labeled as a therapy tool. Quality and ease of use were well though out here.

Available in six different resistance levels:

  • Yellow: 1.5 lbs
  • Red: 3 lbs
  • Green: 5 lbs
  • Blue: 7 lbs
  • Black: 9 lbs
  • Grey: 11 lbs

What we don’t like:

Take it with a grain of salt, but for monetary reasons, we prefer a variable finger exerciser as there is no need to buy all six to have a variable resistance range.

PROHANDS Gripmaster

Claiming to be “the original spring-loaded hand and finger exerciser”, PROHANDS Gripmaster is said to be used by professional athletes, musicians as well as a rehab tool. The design is similar to the Digi-Flex and has has different un-adjustable resistant levels depending on the device.

What we like about this guitar finger strengthener:

The PROHANDS hand exercisers are comfortable and well-built.

PROHANDS has four different product lines for their hand exercisers:

  • VIA: 1 lb – 6 lbs (Gray = 1 lbs, Green = 2 lbs, Yellow and Pink = 4 lbs, Blue, Purple and Black = 6 lbs)
  • Gripmaster: 1.5 lbs – 9 lbs (Green = 1.5 lbs, Yellow = 3 lbs, Blue = 5 lbs, Red = 7 lbs, Black = 9 lbs)
  • Gripmaster Rehab: 0.75 lbs – 9 lbs (Tan = 0.75 lbs, Yellow = 1.5 lbs, Red = 3 lbs, Green = 5, Blue = 7 lbs, Black = 9 lbs)
  • Pro: 5 lbs – 13 lbs (Blue = 5 lbs, Red = 7 lbs, Black = 9 lbs, Gray = 11 lbs, Orange = 13 lbs)

Important to note is that the VIA and Gripmaster product lines are smaller and may be better suited to small/average size hands. If you have large hands you’ll be better off with the Pro version.

What we don’t like:

Although they’ve created a wonderful lineup of different product lines and resistances. We believe this may be overwhelming for someone who just wants to increase basic finger strength.

Django Hand Exerciser

Available in a four or five finger configuration, the Django Hand Exerciser is a variable resistance plunger type finger strengthener.

What we like about this guitar finger strengthener:

Great build quality, doesn’t feel cheap. This is a nice benefit, especially in a variable resistance version. Everything seems tight and gives us the impression it will last.

The adjustable resistance gives you the ability to change the tension between 3-7 lbs.

What we don’t like:

If you have large hands or strong fingers the maximum tension of 7 lbs may not be enough.

Guitar Finger Strengthener FAQ

How often can I or should I use these?

A guitar finger strengthener can be used everyday, even multiple times a day as long as you feel no pain or discomfort.

For how long per session am I able to use these?

There is no set amount of time, whatever you feel comfortable with. We recommend starting out with a few minutes and see how it feels. Gradually increasing your time of use is the best course of action here,

Do I need to use a guitar finger strengthener?

The short answer is no. These hand and finger exercisers are not a requirement. They are a tool that helps increase your finger and hand strength more effectively than building that strength naturally through playing the guitar.

Conclusion

The benefits of portability, adjustable resistance and callus builder make our choice for the D’Addario Varigrip as the best guitar finger strengthener as easy one.

A final note, if you feel as though the resistance from any hand/finger exercise tool is too low, simply add repetitions. No need to purchase multiple different units for a variety of resistance levels unless that is your preference or recommended by your physician for rehab.

Do you use a hand or finger exerciser? Let us know! Thanks for reading.

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Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer – Comparison Review

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blues driver vs tube screamer

The BOSS BD-2 and the Ibanez TS9 are both time tested legends in their own right. Both have found their sounds on top albums and both have enticed live crowds for multiple decades.

BOSS vs Ibanez, Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer. We’ll go over each product on it’s own as well as provide a comparison. We have included individual demo videos as well as a comparison video so you can hear some of what we’re talking about.

We chose the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer as our favorite. This is due to our preference with the vintage 80s sound it gives as well as the lesser rough overdrive compared to that of the Blues Driver.

BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver

Here we’ll go over the BOSS BD-2 in the Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer debate.

The BOSS BD-2 Blues Driver is a great pedal that can find it’s way onto any pedalboard. This pedal has a gritty sound that falls somewhere between overdrive and distortion.

The Blues Driver provides full, bold and dynamic tones. It’s crunchy and powerful with a lot of attitude. It really produces that vintage tube amp overdrive and distortion that we all love. It’s full and dynamic with great response.

The BD-2 has three knobs, level, tone and gain, as well as a foot pedal switch. It’s worth noting that many players get their favorite BD-2 tones by turning the level and drive knobs all the way up, and then backing off just enough to dial in a great tone. This is because different guitars and pickups will require more or less gain.

The Blues Driver has a ton of gain and volume. This can be a problem as this can cause feedback from your amp. A solution is to bring the gain down on the pedal, and then back it back off just enough so that you get that slight breakup/overdrive sound without getting too much feedback.

The BD-2 immediately produces a gritty overdrive tone with punchy lows and mids, but not as much as many other popular overdrive and distortion pedals.

The sound of the BD-2 is best described as bluesy and dirty, but can also be very convincing for classic rock, or even metal.

The Blues Driver can be found in many mainstream pedalboards, including those of Tom Morello, Billie Joe Armstrong and Prince.

For us, the Blues Driver feels like a lead guitar pedal, but can also very easily find its way into rhythm riffs. It’s important to note that the Blues Driver is not transparent at all. This means that it will color your tone in a significant way. So if you’re looking for a clean boost or simple overdrive, check out some other pedals.

Any Downside?

This pedal seems to have a lack of mid-range when playing notes with low gain. We also found that some people may find this pedal too rough.

Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer

Here we’ll go over the Ibanez TS9 in the Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer debate.

The Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer has been altering tones of guitarists around the world since the 1980s. It brings to the table a quality, rounded sound.

The TS9 is warm and bright with smooth midrange. It produces a definitive 80s vintage tone and a nice, bluesy overdrive.

The Tube Screamer is an incredibly well-built pedal and seems like it can handle just about anything. There’s a good reason why this pedal has been used by so many artists over the decades: It sounds great and is reliable.

This is also a great pedal to boost another drive pedal. Some guitarists find this pedal too thin on it’s own, we disagree. It’s a great pedal on it’s own, but the Tube Screamer loves being pushed.

The Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer has three knobs, drive, tone and level as well as a foot pedal switch.

The TS9 is a reliable, vintage sounding drive pedal. It has been used by many guitarists including, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Eric Johnson and Kirk Hammett.

If you’re looking for a quality, great sounding drive pedal, the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer is a fantastic choice.

Any Downside?

Guitarists may not like the brighter sound, compared by some to the sound of a tin can. This pedal also seems to work better with single-coil pickups.

Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer Comparison

Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer comparison video. NOTE: These are both being played on a Fender Stratocaster through a VOX AC30 amp.

Blues Driver

Tube Screamer

Power Supply:
9V Battery or AC adapter

Power Supply:
9V Battery or AC adapter

Size:
5 1/8" (129 mm) x 2 7/8" (73 mm) x 2 3/8" (59 mm)

Size:
4.9" (124 mm) x 3" (74 mm) x 2" (53mm)

Weight:
360 grams (13 oz)

Weight:

570 grams (1.3 lbs)

Input Impedance:

1 M ohm

Input Impedance:
500k ohms

Output Impedance:
1 k ohm

Output Impedance:
10k ohms

The easiest way to sum up the differences on these two would be to say that the Ibanez TS9 is like smooth peanut butter, whereas the BOSS BD-2 is the crunchy version.

They each have their place but we prefer the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. We believe the lighter, less full tones don’t overpower and provide the perfect balance.

We do acknowledge that some guitarists believe the TS9 is not a stand-alone pedal. However, we believe with the right setup, the Tube Screamer doesn’t need its hand held. This is why we favor the TS9 in the Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer debate.

Final Thought

It all comes down to a matter of preference depending on your preferred genre, style and gear. We chose the Ibanez TS9 Tube Screamer. How would you answer the Blues Driver vs Tube Screamer question? Which would you choose and why? Thanks for reading.

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Best Acoustic Guitars With Low Action – Easy To Play Guitars

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guitars with low action

This is our review of the best acoustic guitars with low action.

Guitars with low action are the ultimate beginners guitar. They are not only for beginners however, guitars with low action are also beneficial depending on your style, the music genre and string gauge.

If fingerstyle picking or using thinner string gauges. lower action may be beneficial. This is however, not an exact science. Feel is everything here and your own playstyle will determine how low/high you’re most comfortable.

The term “low action” refers to the distance between a guitar’s strings and fretboard. The lower the action, generally, the easier it is to play as you do not have to push down on the strings as hard.

guitar action

For beginners, low action guitars are usually recommended because they’re more comfortable when playing. Finger pain and fatigue are greatly reduced with lower action enabling you to spend more time learning.

Our pick for best guitar with low action is the Fender CD-60. It’s dreadnought body and spruce top provide booming volume and it’s low action make it a breeze to play for hours.

In this post we’ll go over some of the best acoustic guitars with low action.

Best Acoustic Guitars With Low Action

Fender CD-60 Acoustic Guitar

  • Body Shape: Dreadnought
  • Body Material: Laminated Mahogany
  • Top/Face Material: Laminated Spruce
  • Fingerboard: Walnut
  • Finish: Gloss Polyurethane
  • Bracing: Scalloped X
  • Frets: 20

What we like about these guitars with low action?

The Fender CD-60 is an affordable, great looking acoustic guitar for beginners, available in three different colors: Black, Natural or Sunburst.

It features a mahogany body, spruce top and uses scalloped X style bracing. The rosette is white pearloid acrylic and the body is finished with gloss polyurethane.

The fingerboard is made of walnut and has a radius of 12″ (305 mm). The neck has a “C” shape, is finished with gloss urethane and has white pearloid dot inlays. The scale length is 25.3″ (643 mm).

It comes equipped with Fender Dura-Tone 880L Coated 80/20 strings (.012-.052 Gauges) and black pickguard.

The Fender CD-60 has a walnut bridge, the bridge pins are white, with black dots. This guitar has chrome hardware and die-cast tuning machines.

Fender FA-235E Acoustic-Electric Guitar

  • Body Shape: Concert
  • Body Material: Laminated Mahogany
  • Top/Face Material: Laminated Flame Maple
  • Fingerboard: Indian Laurel
  • Finish: Gloss
  • Frets: 20

What we like about these guitars with low action?

The Fender FA-235E is an acoustic-electric guitar that provides a lot of value. It is available in: Natural, 3-Tone Sunburst or Moonlight Burst finishes.

This guitar is made with a mahogany body and flame maple top. It has the concert body shape and is finished in gloss.

The 20 fret fingerboard is made from Indian laurel, the neck is made from nato and is finished with gloss urethane. The fingerboard has a radius of 11.81″ (300 mm) and the scale length is 25.3″ (643 mm).

The Fender FA-235E comes equipped with Fender Dura-Tone 880L Coated 80/20 strings (.012-.052 Gauges).

The bridge is made from Indian laurel, the hardware is finished in chrome and the tuning machines are open-back geared.

Ibanez PM1MH Acoustic Guitar

  • Body Shape: Parlor 2
  • Body Material: Nyatoh
  • Top/Face Material: Sapele
  • Fingerboard: Nandu Wood
  • Frets: 18

What we like about these guitars with low action?

The Ibanez PN1MH brings big sound in a smaller body.

This acoustic has a parlor style body made from nyatoh as well as a top made from sapele.

The fingerboard, made from nandu, contains 18 frets and has white dot inlays. The neck is made from nyatoh.

This guitar comes equipped with Ibanez IACS6C strings (0.012-0.053 guages).

The bridge is made from nandu and the tuning machines are chrome open gear tuners w/ivory knobs.

Ibanez PC15 Acoustic Guitar

  • Body Shape: Grand Concert
  • Body Material: Nyatoh
  • Top/Face Material: Spruce
  • Fingerboard: Nandu Wood
  • Frets: 20

NOTE: This is NOT in English but gives a good idea of what the guitar sounds like. You are able to use auto-translate closed captioning to read what he’s saying.

What we like about these guitars with low action?

The Ibanez PC15 is guitar that provides full, balanced tone.

This guitar has a grand concert body made from nyatoh. It has a spruce top with black pickguard,

The 18 fret fingerboard is made from nandu and the neck is made from nyatoh. The inlay is white dots.

This acoustic comes equipped with D’Addario strings (.012-.053 guage).

The bridge on the Ibanez PC15 is made from nandu wood. The tuning machines are chrome die-cast tuners.

Ibanez PC12MH Acoustic Guitar

  • Body Shape: Grand Concert
  • Body Material: Okoume
  • Top/Face Material: Okoume
  • Fingerboard: Laurel
  • Frets: 20

What we like about these guitars with low action?

This Ibanez PC12MH acoustic packs a warm, balanced tone.

The back, sides and top for this grand concert style acoustic are made from sapele.

The nandu wood fingerboard has 20 frets and white dot inlays. The neck is made from nyatoh.

This Ibanez comes equipped with Ibanez IACS6C strings (.012-.053 guage).

The bridge is made from nandu and come with chrome open-bridge tuners.

Jasmine S-34C Acoustic Guitar

  • Body Shape: Grand Orchestra
  • Body Material: Sapele
  • Top/Face Material: Spruce
  • Fingerboard: Rosewood
  • Bracing: Jasmine Advanced “X” Bracing
  • Frets: 20

What we like about these guitars with low action?

A great budget option. The Jamine S-34C is a lot of guitar.

The grand orchestra style body is made from sapele and contains Jasmine Advanced “X” Bracing. The top is made from spruce and the guitar is finished with gloss.

The rosewood fretboard has 20 frets and has pearloid dots for inlays. The neck is made from nato and the scale length is 25.5″ (648 mm).

This Ibanez comes equipped with Phosphor Bronze Light Gauge .012-.053 strings.

The bridge is rosewood with a synthetic bone saddle and the hardware is chrome.

How To Adjust The Action On An Acoustic Guitar

Adjusting the action on an acoustic guitar can be accomplished in a few easy steps. If you’re uncomfortable with this, or do not get the result you desire, visit your local music shop or luthier for a professional setup. Be sure to know the different parts of a guitar before proceeding.

Check for neck relief

Place one finger on the first fret and another on the last fret. Check the action between the strings and the frets. If there is a gap between the string and frets, your guitar has neck relief. Too much relief can cause intonation issues.

If the string is touching the frets, your neck may have backbow. This is one of the causes of fret buzz.

Places on the guitar to adjust action

There are three places we can make adjustments to guitar action. The truss rod, the saddle and the nut.

Truss rod adjustment

Truss rods can be either single or double action.

A single action truss rod when turned clockwise will lower relief and straighten the neck or put it into backbow. If you turn a single action truss rod counter-clockwise, the string tension is what pulls the neck back into upbow/relief.

A double action truss rod operates the same as a single action when putting a neck into backbow but instead of using the string tension to provide relief, the truss rod itself forces the neck into upbow/relief.

Note: Be sure to only make small adjustments, 1/8″ or less.

Saddle Adjustment

This is where it gets more involved, now we start making permanent adjustments to the guitar. As mentioned before, if uncomfortable, stop here. Visit your local music shop or luthier.

First, compare fretboard radius with saddle radius using your radius gauges. These measurements should be similar, ideally identical. If they are, great! Move on to the next step. If not, you’ll need to adjust your acoustic guitars saddle. This can be accomplished by sanding it down or adding a shim.

Nut adjustment

Like the saddle, permanent adjustments are the only option here. You can further adjust action by filing the string/fret slots in the nut with special nut files for your string gauge. You may also need to file down the overall height of the nut so your string are not too deep in the slots.

Our Verdict

Our favorite pick from our list of best guitars with low action is the Fender CD-60 acoustic guitar. It’s a great sounding, great value guitar with low action. It’s well built and has great playability.

If you are looking for a great beginner option or budget genuine Fender, you can’t go wrong with the Fender CD-60.

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