Best way of raising string height...

[spkirby]

Got an ASS with vintage trem and it plays really well but the action is so low its relatively buzzy, the high E chokes out on severe bends, plus I like my action with some height so I can really get under the strings (for big bends!)....so whats the best way of raising the action by a few millimeters / fractions of an inch :

Tweaking the truss rod?
Raising bridge by "unscrewing" the pivot posts a bit?
Neck shim? (there is a shim on the high e side of the neck pocket by the way!)

Thanks,
Steve

 

[robelinda2]

truss rod adjustment is the way to go supposedly, i've dont it on my balls and they seem fine. the EBMM FAQ says so too, on the EB site, not here

 

[starsky]

I would check the truss rod first as Rob says.

If the saddles are low down against the bridge they could be raised a little for a small increase in string height, but if the action is excessively low it may be the shim that is the cause. As you say the bridge could be raised as well.

Either way the truss rod will likely need to be adjusted further after doing this.

I've successfully tweaked my guitars to my liking, just using the truss rod and an occasional saddle or bridge adjustment, but I'm sure the other guys here will be able to give you a much more experienced answer.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I would say adjust the saddles. This is how I would do it.

 

[Spudmurphy]

I would say adjust the saddles. This is how I would do it.

+1

 

[Norrin Radd]

I would say adjust the saddles. This is how I would do it.

+2!

 

[robelinda2]

FROM THE EBMM FAQ

Q: What is the best way to adjust the action on my Music Man guitar?
A: The best and easiest way to adjust your action is to use the truss rod. To lower your action, turn the wheel clockwise. To raise your action, particularly if you have fret buzz, turn the wheel counter clockwise. It is always a good idea to make just one or two turns at a time, then play it and see if it needs more adjustment. It normally doesn't take many turns of the wheel to notice a difference.

A "turn" as defined here is inserting an adjustment tool and moving a spoke of the wheel from one side of the neck to the other side.