Is this slot on the D'Addario String Action Gauge meant to serve a specific purpose?

[mattie13]

 

[gregmon79]

Maybe it's to measure the actual string gauge itself.... Not sure...

 

[Bodeeni]

pickup height

 

[mattie13]

pickup height

That's what the mm and in lines are for. Why is there a slot carved in between them?

 

[Queue]

That's what the mm and in lines are for. Why is there a slot carved in between them?

Just guessing, but if you straddle a string with that slot, then you can measure pickup height at each string? e.g. PBass pickups tilted to match fretboard/neck radius.

 

[mattie13]

Just guessing, but if you straddle a string with that slot, then you can measure pickup height at each string? e.g. PBass pickups tilted to match fretboard/neck radius.

That makes sense!

 

[JakobT]

That makes sense!

Except that the slot is too narrow for the E string, and the ruler is too wide from the slot to the edge to go between strings.

I suspect that the slot is there to separate the metric and imperial markings, and that the ruler is supposed to be placed parallel to the strings.

 

[Gluvhand]

That gauge is marketed as a "Guitar action and pickup height guide" on Sweetwater's site so the pickup height guide slot is guitar specific.

 

[abarson]

No manual? Contact their support.

https://support.daddario.com/hc/en-us/requests/new

 

[Bruce Johnson]

It's a classic-style height gauge, a vertical ruler. Made for measuring the height of the string above the pickup or the body surface, or whatever. The slot isn't for straddling the string. It's a viewing port. Set the gauge against the side of the string, in front of it, and look at the string through the slot. That way, you can clearly see which line on the ruler (either one) lines up with the underside of the string. It'll work fine with an electric bass.

I don't have one of those in my massive Luthier tool collection, but it looks useful.

 

[JakobT]

It's a classic-style height gauge, a vertical ruler. Made for measuring the height of the string above the pickup or the body surface, or whatever. The slot isn't for straddling the string. It's a viewing port. Set the gauge against the side of the string, in front of it, and look at the string through the slot. That way, you can clearly see which line on the ruler (either one) lines up with the underside of the string. It'll work fine with an electric bass.

I don't have one of those in my massive Luthier tool collection, but it looks useful.

Clever! Thanks for clearing it up!

 

[2cooltoolz]

It's a classic-style height gauge, a vertical ruler. Made for measuring the height of the string above the pickup or the body surface, or whatever. The slot isn't for straddling the string. It's a viewing port. Set the gauge against the side of the string, in front of it, and look at the string through the slot. That way, you can clearly see which line on the ruler (either one) lines up with the underside of the string. It'll work fine with an electric bass.

I don't have one of those in my massive Luthier tool collection, but it looks useful.

Damn! Now I have to have one!!!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

Damn! Now I have to have one!!! View attachment 7012867

The D'Addario gauge is a handy little tool. But you can just as easily do the same pickup height measurement with a common 6" steel precision ruler.

 

[2cooltoolz]

The D'Addario gauge is a handy little tool. But you can just as easily do the same pickup height measurement with a common 6" steel precision ruler.

Yep. I have several, as well as some slider set-up specific types. But more IS better!