Axis String Height Question

[Captaindog]

I know there are some posts about it but i want to ask fellow members what is their action measured in 12th - 17th - 22th fret in their Axis (Floyd).

I am trying to do the optimal setup and i need to decide if i have to shim the neck or remove the shim and remove the FLoyd base...(by the way on those new floyds can you remove the base plate?)

For your info i can barely slide a 1.5mm pick in the 12th fret. After the 12th fret the action gets somewhat higher....

 

[Pickslide79]

Hi! Did you ever get this resolved? I'm combing thru the Forum today, because I'm having the same exact issue. Everything seems to be in spec across the 12th fret. (3/64 to 4/64). As I go beyond the 12 fret to the higher frets, the action gets a bit too high for my liking. Trem is level and flush to the body (retainer plate). Neck is basically straight with very little relief. Is this the typical scenario for when a lower neck pocket shim is needed?

 

[DrKev]

Hi! You inspired me to do a quick video...

 

[jones4tone]

Thanks DrKev! That was informative and clarifying.

 

[Pickslide79]

Hi DrKev!

Thanks for the info and your time, effort, and willingness to address this phenomenon! In
looking at your first diagram, I see what you're saying in regards to the
"straight" neck. It makes sense that if we have two fixed points (nut and saddle)
with two straight "lines" between them which are NOT parallel, that the distance
between these "lines" will increase as the trajectory continues. I had not previously
considered this in regards to my guitar.

In looking at your second diagram, it makes sense to me how providing a bit more neck
relief will minimize the DIFFERENCE between lower frets and higher frets.
Here's the dilemma I'm having currently. I LOVE the way my Axis plays up to about
fret 15. I gain about 1/64" from the 12th fret to the 15th-17th. In reference to your
first diagram, I can understand why this phenomenon occurs now. HOWEVER, it seems like
we're on a see-saw here....trade-offs and sacrifices, correct? If I introduce more
relief to minimize the string height *difference* between the 12th fret and the 15th,
I've also created more distance now between the lower frets and the string, where I'm
currently very pleased.

Is there a "best of both worlds" achievable? My thoughts (though perhaps
shortsighted) were to slightly elevate the neck (via shim) at the bottom of the neck
pocket, thereby offsetting this difference that occurs when necks have very little
relief. Making the "lines" a bit more parallel, if you will. Just to reiterate, I
have WONDERFUL action (for me) until the higher frets and no buzzing issues. I also have
zero experience with shimming, so I was curious if this was the "answer."

Concluding this novel (LOL!), I have to mention that I THOUGHT I had this issue resolved
several weeks ago. I had made adjustments that kept the action lower on the higher frets,
and felt great everywhere else too. What was the trade-off? It seriously affected my
tone. My tone went thin, and I lost the "balls" due to the new string/pickup
proximity. As we all know, the pickup height on the Axis is not adjustable, or I would've lowered my pickups and called it a day. Sooooo, is this all about trade-offs, or is there a way to achieve my idea of the perfect setup?

 

[DrKev]

It's all trade-offs. Guitars are always a compromise because reality and physics get in the way. You can't have perfectly low action all over the neck and no fret buzz. You can't have clarity of tone that high action and high tension gives gives and have low action-like playability. The only way to have completely consistent string height over the whole neck is either a stupidly high nut that will totally mess up intonation and playability on the lower frets or have low buzzy action everywhere. And even in between all these extremes what works for one person may not be to somebody else's liking. Somebody with a feather-light touch can get away with low action where a more aggressive player would be crazy with string buzz.

Remember one thing though - when we are doing setups we hyper focus on tiny buzzes and noises and all sort of stuff that we don't notice when we actually play music. Don't drive yourself crazy by chasing a non-existent perfect. You bought a guitar to play music. Put the tools away, go and play, come back and adjust later if you need to.

 

[GWDavis28]

Wow Kev, nice job!!! Thanx ever soo much, great deep description.

Hey, where's you get the shirt, never seen that one before.

Glenn |B)