FretGuru 8-in-1 String Action Gauge Guitar Fret Ruler Precision Fret Rocker - Precise CNC Machined, Diamond Honed, Polished Edge Guitar String Height Gauge - Luthier Tool with Thick Leather Case

Yes, you can get things that look similar to this for less cash. I own several. However, when I opened up the package and had a look and feel of the FretGuru 2, I had zero qualms about paying $27 for it.For one, it's thicker than my other action gauge multi-tools. It's still comfortably thin and lightweight, but it doesn't feel like something that will easily bend or deflect in use. It has a nice substantial feel to it, just right for its size and use.Secondly, when you feel the edges on this, they are some of the cleanest edges I have ever felt on any product. No burrs, no roughness, no sharp corners. Apparently the seller hand-laps every edge on each of these, which might sound like a laughable selling point but after feeling it I have zero doubt that it is 100% true. This matters not only for feeling like a quality product, but means you can count on it to be highly precise for measuring across frets, using as a fret rocker tool, or measuring nut action. Also, the lack of sharp edges means it won't scar your softer fret metal.Lastly, the leather pouch it came with is absolutely top quality. Looks like any of the finest handmade leathercraft I've ever seen. Perfect thick stitching, deep pressed lettering, very soft, and uniform in color. This ain't cheap leather nor is it fake.If I had to give it one critique, the thickness of the edge for the nut slot insertion to measure nut action measures 0.015" thick on mine. That's likely just a bit too thick to fit into the high Estring slot on nuts set up for light gauge strings. It's a minor nitpick and it'll still work just fine for the rest, and if it were made thinner like .010" or .009" it'd probably start to become too fragile to be useful.Anyway, a great and very useful tool for people who work on guitars and know what they're doing, with very crisp lettering, accurate edges, and great quality all around. Recommended.

If you want to set-up your own (or other people's) instruments: this tool will help you a lot.If you just want to be able to tell someone else how to set-up your instrument as you like it: you should get one of these.If you played someone else's instrument, liked how it played, and want to know why: this tool will help you figure it out.Over the last few years I've been assembling and setting-up (my own and other people's) guitars as a hobby (read: I am not a professional luthier or guitar tech) and had been using a high-quality precision ruler as my guide. That worked just fine for getting me "in the ballpark," but eyeballing 1/64 of an inch (or less, in some cases) was not always ideal; not only were the little black lines hard to spot, but the end of the precision ruler would not span frets on a bass guitar.Enter the FretGuru 2!This thing seems to have it all, really; it's easy to read, and all the numbers/measurements for which you'd usually look are marked clearly. It spans multiple frets on a guitar and a bass, and still fits inside of my instrument case. When the weather (temperature/humidity) changes: this tool allows me to quickly and accurately discern how my instrument has been affected, and because I can see all the markings so clearly (due to the silver-on-black design) I don't ever feel like I am guessing at tiny measurements. Guitars are precision instruments, believe it or not, so these tiny variations are important.The playing of any experienced guitarist can be affected by a single gauge difference in string size, so we're talking thousandths of an inch here. I know guys who can pick-up a guitar and correctly discern the string gauge, so -- as far fetched as it might sound to a lay person -- players can be aware of such tiny variations (1/1000 of an inch) in set-up. The measurements on the FretGuru 2 are precise enough to account for these small measurements, which is important; addressing a "buzz" isn't always a matter of 64ths, but could realistically be a matter of 1/1000. It's eminently useful to know the numbers behind one's preferred set-up, as it makes returning to that set-up much easier in the future; whether you're doing it yourself, or communicating it to your technician: the FretGuru 2 makes acquiring this information easy. This tool is not just for techs and luthiers: it's for players, too.I had been eyeballing the original FretGuru for a while, but knew as soon as there was a second version: I had to get one. Bernie has listened to user feedback and really refined his design. I was initially hesitant about the price, as a precision ruler (or a lesser fret tool, likely made in China) can be purchased for much less. Supporting an inspired, hand-made, labor-of-love made this an easy purchase for me. Bernie personally bevels and polishes each one of these, and his attention to detail was apparent when I removed the FretGuru 2 from the envelope. I sincerely hope that he is able to keep-up with demand while maintaining the high precision of this tool.Now it's time to adjust my action, which may be the only down-side to having this thing: awareness of details on this level -- and having the information to track it -- is going to make me nuts about achieving and maintaining my perfect set-up. Thank you, FretGuru!

Really easy to use and helpful for guitar setup. Absolutely invaluable for the price, perfect size to keep in a case or gig bag. Love that it’s made in the USA. Good price, wonderful finish. Helped me setup a guitar I built in a STEM course at my community college, shout out Milos and Phil!

This string leveling tool is precision-machined and hand-finished for exceptional quality. The extra care in craftsmanship ensures a perfectly flat surface, making fretwork effortless and accurate. Built to last a lifetime, it’s a tool you’ll be proud to pass down for generations. A must-have for serious guitar and bass techs!

Most of the guitar action gauges out there are pretty much the same - different colors and different fonts that are easier to read than others, but the same functionality. The thing that sets the FretGuru 2 apart is the gauges on the edges for nut slot height and fret height/width. Specifically, the nut slot height is super useful to determine if you have the right height for your nut slots with an easy to use measurement gauge. The the precision grinding they do on these edges, it is a must-have for setting up your guitar. Well worth the investment!

Very fine etching adds to accuracy. The leather holder is great for keeping the unit free of scratches. The nut-measuring corner is useful. Fret height gauge is also great. I would have preferred to see information for typical setup heights on the back rather than the conversion table, (so I don't have to remember) but that is my only "con". I only work in metric, so having a metric unit is important to me. I feel confident using this product. Definitely worth the money.