Q&A

What should the action be on a ukulele?

What should the action be on a ukulele?

Depending on the ukulele, we like to set the action at 2.5mm to 3.0mm in height. This is the distance between the strings and 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.

What does high action ukulele mean?

The term ‘action’ means the way the strings of the ukulele relate to the fingerboard. That is to say, the angle and height of the strings in relation to the straight fingerboard. A high action affects playability (the way the uke feels and how easy and fast it is to play) as well as intonation ( see Here.

How high should the nut be on a ukulele?

Makers often expect the retailer to deal with the setup, but many retailers save money by skipping this step. The height at the nut is set by the depth of the string slots. I use a feeler gauge to set the bottom of the slot . 050 inches (1.27 mm) above the fretboard.

How do I lower my ukulele nut?

I followed these steps:

  1. Loosen the string enough to ease it out of the nut slot.
  2. Gently deepen the nut slot a small amount, being careful not to change it’s shape or angle.
  3. Re-tune the string and check the first fret.
  4. Check for fret buzz by plucking the string very hard at each fret.

Why do my ukulele strings buzz?

The absolute most common cause of a buzz is a high fret or frets. This could be just one note on your uke buzzing, or it could be several notes on one string in a row. Even if your uke had no high frets when it left the shop, they could develop over time with changes in temperature and humidity.

Should I use a pick with my ukulele?

it is perfectly fine to use a pick for a different sound. More players today are playing melodies on the uke, or adapting rock songs and other styles to the uke. So if a song or style demands a pick, then by all means go for it! Ukuleles have nylon strings, so you won’t need a super heavy pick.

How do you adjust the action on a ukulele?

Adjusting The Action On Your Ukulele What’s the action? Step 1 – Measure the action Step 2 – Remove the saddle Step 3 – Put a marker on the saddle Step 4 – Get sanding/filing Step 5 – Slide the saddle back into place and tighten strings

What’s the action of the strings on a ukulele?

The action on a ukulele is effectively the gap between the strings and the fretboard. Typically at the nut end the action will be quite low but the further you get up the neck it will be higher and this is where it really starts to affect your playing. If the strings are too high from the fretboard it will be difficult to play.

What should I look for in a ukulele setup?

The setup of the ukulele should optimize playability and intonation. The ideal setup is a little bit different for every player — a vigorous playing style requires high action, while players with a soft playing style will probably prefer the comfort and better playability of a low action.

Why does my ukulele have a high action?

Often a ukulele can arrive with an overly high action, or can even develop a higher action over time as the stresses of the strings start to pull the neck up. They can also arrive with a low action.