Can you change the action of an acoustic guitar?

Yes, the action on an acoustic guitar can be changed. You can do this by adjusting the truss rod, which is located inside the guitar neck. The truss rod can be tightened or loosened to change the amount of relief in the neck, which will affect the action. Tightening the truss rod will decrease the relief and raise the action, while loosening the truss rod will increase the relief and lower the action. You can also adjust the saddles on the bridge to change the action. Raising the saddles will raise the action, while lowering the saddles will lower the action.

Here are some detailed steps on how to adjust the action on your acoustic guitar.

Adjusting the truss rod:

1. Tune the guitar to pitch.

2. Locate the truss rod cover, which is usually located at the headstock of the guitar.

3. Remove the truss rod cover.

4. Insert a truss rod wrench into the truss rod.

5. Turn the truss rod wrench clockwise to tighten the truss rod and raise the action, or turn it counterclockwise to loosen the truss rod and lower the action.

6. Make small adjustments and re-tune the guitar as needed.

Adjusting the saddle height:

1. Place the guitar on a workbench or table with the back of the guitar facing up.

2. Locate the saddle slots on the bridge.

3. Use a small screwdriver to turn the saddle adjustment screws clockwise to raise the saddles and lower the action, or turn them counterclockwise to lower the saddles and raise the action.

4. Make small adjustments and re-tune the guitar as needed.

Tips:

* Make small adjustments to the truss rod and bridge saddles and re-tune the guitar between adjustments.

* Be careful not to over-tighten the truss rod, as this can damage the guitar neck.

* If the action is still too high after adjusting the truss rod and bridge saddles, you may need to have the guitar neck reset by a qualified guitar technician.