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!

I am a bass player moving over to guitar, and I'm lucky enough to have a few Gibsons, vintage Fenders and Hamers, and a few Rickenbackers. But I'm not a guitar geek -- I just have poor impulse control.I did come to realize, though, that the instruments really were only as good as their setup, and that I sure don't have the talent to overcome a poor setup. And I can't rely on others to have the time to do setup work when I need it. So I've slowly been teaching myself. And in doing so, I was appalled at some of the imprecise methods, and makeshift tools, that people online (and in a couple'a books) were recommending. So, after a lot of research, I settled on the Fret Guru. Before I could buy mine, though, FretGuru introduced the FretGuru2.This thing is incredible. It's a finely machined dream, with useful measurement after measurement. The no brainers are:(1) the string height measurements [in 100ths of an inch, or 10/1000" increments]. Bridge and, if necessary, truss-rod adjustments are a breeze after determining string height. The FretGuru2 allows a user to easily read string height precisely - the measuring lines are fine, but in sharp gold/white on black relief that can be seen by candlelight -- and I've had to do just that;(2) fret height measurement, in 5/1000" increments. The slotting of each gauged measurement allows you to easily measure the lowest area of fret wear on any given fret, and to actually see spots where differing strings sizes and attacks have unevenly ground down the fret. If the frets are not too badly worn, they can be leveled and easily measured throughout the process -- and if they're toast, you'll quickly see; and(3) nut slot depth. This measurement was key to me -- I found that the nut on an older Rick 4001 was down far enough to effectively preclude clean fretting an intonation. And the fretguru2 made it a breeze to see the nut-slot depth in relation to the first fret.I've mentioned the obvious ones that will be used constantly, but I should also mention that there are super-fine rulers, in both metric and English measurement, and a ready conversion chart as well.Because this is so precise, so intuitive, and SO EASY to READ, I've given it a five -- I can't see flaws, and the quality (in an easy-to-manage size) is outstanding. Christmas gifts for my other idiot guitar and bass nuts. . . .

This is the fourth tool from Fret Guru I now own ,these are high quality tools very well designed and made with high quality materials. If you are looking for high end tools that you need and require for your guitar consider Fret Guru, you won't be disappointed.

I used the gauge to measure the action on my Eastman guitar at I suspected it to be too low (some buzzing at the treble E can be heard at the 11th fret) and it confirmed that it's .2 and .4 mm too low at the treble and bass string, respectively, compared to factory specs for my guitar model.I recommend this gauge for it's accuracy and ease of use.

Arrived fairly quick the leather case is a lovely touch think I will definately get a imperial one too in the future

The leather case looks good, and the gauge tool is very precise with good quality. It's worth spending a higher cost on a gauge tool that can be kept for a lifetime.

Item came and immediately put to work on my guitars. Well made and strong enough with good thickness to use as a fret rocker. I already found a few spots with it that I need to work on. I surely hope the markings will last a long time. Otherwise, I will undoubtedly buy another. Awesome product.