Cort Action DLX, Instruction Manual

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String Height
Setting String Height
Only after you have adjusted your truss rod, will you be able to properly adjust your string height or action. To
measure the height of your strings, either install a capo at the first fret or use your fretting hand to fret the first
fret of each string as you work on it. With the string fretted at the first fret with your finger or capo, measure the
distance between the bottom of the string and the top of the 17
th
fret. Because each sting is different in size, you
will need to measure and adjust each string individually. The recommended setting for all Cort electric guitars is:
Strings 1 – 4 : 5/64”(2mm) +/- 1/64”(.4mm)
Strings 5 – 6 : 3/32”(2.4mm) +/- 1/64”(.4mm)
These dimensions are the recommended settings from the Cort factory. The optimum string height or action
varies from player to player due to differences in technique, playing styles, string gauges, etc.
Setting Intonation
In order to properly set the intonation of your guitar, we want the string to play the same note at the 12
th
fret as it
does when played open, only an octave higher. Tune your open strings to pitch. Starting with the first string
(high ‘E’), fret the string at the 12 th
fret. If the note is sharp, move the individual saddle back, away from the
fingerboard. If the note is flat, move the saddle forward, closer to the fingerboard. Repeat this process for each
individual string until each string is properly intonated. Note that this step can only be done after your string
height has been adjusted as the height of the string will greatly affect the intonation when playing your guitar.
Changing Strings
We recommend that you change one string at a time. Removing all strings at once can have a dramatic effect on
the tension of the neck. Plus, if your guitar is equipped with a floating tremolo bridge system, removing all of
the strings at the same time will make it difficult to tune the guitar back to pitch. When you remove the old
string from the guitar, make note of how the string is installed through the bridge. Some guitars have strings that
feed through the body, others through a tail piece and some directly through the bridge itself. Once the old string
is removed, take the time to clean the exposed parts of your guitar before installing the new string. Thread the
new string through the bridge pulling the string toward the headstock so that the ball of the string sits firmly in
place. Thread the string through the tuning post leaving enough string to wrap tightly around the post. For
wound strings, you want to have two or three wraps around the post. For plain strings, three or four windings
will do. The best way to measure this is to pull the string through the post and measure one or two posts beyond
it. There are many variations on how to wind the string around the post but most importantly, make sure that the
windings are turned to the inside of the headstock, wound tight and neatly stacked up the post. Please note that
changing string gauges will drastically change your relief, bow, string height and intonation requiring you to
repeat the initial steps to insure your guitar plays properly.