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BUILDING TIP: Scrap wood "Feeler Gauge" measures perfect action on floating bridges - by G. S. Monroe

editor's note: G. S. Monroe is a Florida based folk art instrument maker. Shane Speal calls his instruments "visionary and a true throwback to the Depression Era sound." Visit his website at GSMonroe.com. Connect with him on Cigar Box Nation at the Official G. S. Monroe Page.

Getting the right string height (aka "string action") on a fretted cigar box guitar can be tricky if you're using a floating bridge as seen above. In the past, many of us have spent a long time cutting and re-cutting them to get the strings at the exact level above the frets to make playing easier.

Builder, G. S. Monroe has come up with a simple solution to make the floating bridge the right height from the very beginning, using a triangle scrap wood piece he calls a "feeler gauge."

G. S. Monroe writes:

Anyone that has followed my builds or seen my instruments will know that I'm a huge fan of "floating blade" style bridges combined with a "Zero-Fret" string guide/nut. I have found this combo to be one of the most consistent ways to achieve low string action.

I'm going to now share with you one of my secrets to how I make my floating bridge the correct height.

I use a simple wedge feeler gauge:

I locate where the bridge will sit on the soundboard, and slide the feeler gauge under the string. I then check the action and adjust the gauge until I have the action that I want. I mark that height on the gauge with a pencil:

I then take the gauge to my bridge material and mark that height.

I then draw out my bridge design, cut and finish.

I hope this little tip will help you.

-G. S. Monroe

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Permalink Reply by Diglydog on October 6, 2017 at 10:08pm

Neat - thank your for the tip. It's a lot easier than the 'trial and error' method of making several bridges or filing them down to suit.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on October 7, 2017 at 8:12am

This is a good little tool.

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Permalink Reply by Alan Dillard on November 25, 2017 at 3:22am

Love this. I have rarely used floater because of action problems/ time spent getting it right. What is the thickness of the bridge wood you normally use ?

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Permalink Reply by George Ross on September 11, 2018 at 9:17am

Sweet, simple solution to what can be a frustrating task. LOVE it!

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Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on May 13, 2019 at 6:35am

Great idea! I'm 99 1/2 away from my first 100 builds.

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Permalink Reply by KOOL DOG HOOCH on May 14, 2019 at 12:45pm

I was in the "Dollar Tree" today and I think I found a ready made gauge. A small hard rubber door stop! Just throwing this out there for something to look at.