• Ernie Ball
  • MusicMan
  • Sterling by MusicMan

djlynch

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2007
Messages
150
Location
Minnesota
I'm working through some setup issues with my new to me EVH.

With the trem parallel to the body, the action on the high e string is much higher than all the rest of the strings. There is no shim under the trem saddle. Not sure what I can do to lower the high e?

Just throwing this out there but I you sure its not a perception. Sometimes when I play my Axis and look down my brain seems to think the high E has a higher action but it feels ok. Just a thought
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
Just throwing this out there but I you sure its not a perception. Sometimes when I play my Axis and look down my brain seems to think the high E has a higher action but it feels ok. Just a thought

Nope, it's reality. I measured the action with my trusty metal ruler! At the 12th fret, the B and G are slightly less than 1/16th but the high E is at 5/64.
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
I ordered some Floyd saddle shims, to try and raise the other 5 saddles to match the radius a little better - then shim the neck to lower the overall action after. BUT, the EVH Floyd has those guide pins on the front part of the saddle, making shimming pretty difficult!
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
I also found this online - sums up the issue pretty well!

"Eagle wrote:
If you put one of the allparts shims under each of the middle four saddles it usually matches up well.

I will try that. Never thought about it before, but now when I try to adjust string height I can never get it right between the two Es and the middle strings. Maybe this can get me reconnected with the EVHs."
 

jvh

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
326
Did you mention the high e string to musicman when you sent the guitar for refret? 5/64 is a really disappointing setup. Does this guitar just need a new floyd?
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
Did you mention the high e string to musicman when you sent the guitar for refret? 5/64 is a really disappointing setup. Does this guitar just need a new floyd?

I did mention it, but I guess they didn't have time to address it? I think they just compensate for the radius mis-match by cranking down the treble side Floyd post, but that still leaves the E string way high. Shims are needed to use this tremolo.
With a rounder radius, you really need a trem like a strat, with individual saddle height adjustment. Otherwise, its a compromise.

Like I asked before, doesn't EVERY EVH owner have the same issue?
 

jvh

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
326
Ok. I measured my new factory fresh axis for you and it is measuring 3/64" at 12th fret using my precision dial indicator. Maybe the saddles are just worn. Mismatch floyd/ neck isn't a huge issue unless you want super low action. When I say super low I'm saying slap happy.
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
Ok. I measured my new factory fresh axis for you and it is measuring 3/64" at 12th fret using my precision dial indicator. Maybe the saddles are just worn. Mismatch floyd/ neck isn't a huge issue unless you want super low action. When I say super low I'm saying slap happy.

I bet you have a newer EBMM Floyd that has the correct radius, or shims?
 

jvh

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2010
Messages
326
It's new of course :) . I still stand behind you can get lower than 5/64 on the older style. Anyways, good luck with it.
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
It's new of course :) . I still stand behind you can get lower than 5/64 on the older style. Anyways, good luck with it.

I'll be shimming the tremolo, and the neck this weekend, hopefully the combination will allow the Floyd to be adjusted down to 1/16th at the 12th fret all the way around.
 

Jackson2112

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2009
Messages
287
Location
Alberta, Canada
Hi Andy, I had to shim two of my Evh's to get them to play the way I wanted them. The bridge still sits flat on the body!!! so good luck.
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
Update! The EVH is fixed!

I ground off the under saddle guide nipples, and put the All Parts shims under the 4 middle saddles. That evened out the action almost perfectly! Now my treble strings are at 1/16, and my bass are a hair higher.

Now I can enjoy playing the guitar with its new frets! Thanks for all the advice.

Shims are key!
 

Hind

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 17, 2007
Messages
155
Location
Germany
Well done, could you upload a picture of the final result? I have the same problem with my EVH and I am quite unsure on how to do it. Thanks!
 

AndyK

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 29, 2012
Messages
114
Location
NJ
I can't upload a pic because the guitar is back together.

What I did:

1) Removed the Floyd springs, allowing me to remove the trem.
2) Removed the neck, and added another shim on top of the factory shim. Put the neck back on.
2a)I used masking tape to mark off where the Floyd saddles were, for easy intonation replacement!
3) Used a hand file to remove the small guide pins under the middle saddles. This allowed me to...
4) Use my Allparts Floyd saddle shims under the A, D, G B strings. One shim each.
5) Then, I put the strings back on
6) Adjust the action (via the Floyd posts) so that the E strings are where you want them
7) The newly raised center saddles will probably be even with the E strings at this point.
8) The trem should also be parallel to the body, thanks to the added neck shim.

Does this make sense?
 
Last edited:
Top Bottom