Question Neck Shims?

[dandegeit]

Hey Guys

I wondering what everyone thinks of Neck shims?

Does EB MM use them to set up Guitars from the factory?

If yes or NO Why?

Personally I think if the quality is up the pocket should be routed to allow a nice flush neck to pocket mounting of the neck. I dont like seeing shims, I imagine the little gap created stealing my tone/resonance.

The shim in question is a thin cardboard, in a non EBMM guitar. As well lots of like a salve used in the holes and spread to the pocket too. Doesnt look like QC was on their job that day.

NO EBMM Ive seen had a shim

Thanks. I really need help with this

DANO

 

[bbake1]

I have seen them on my EBMMs (not often). A thin piece of pink plastic as I recall. Not a big issue for me. Wood moves with time and to make things line up correctly I don't see a problem with shims. No issues with tone or sustain when I have added or removed them either.

 

[Big Poppa]

Its one of the true benefits of a bolt on....

 

[fbecir]

No neck shim on my Morse :

Life is good !

 

[dandegeit]

SO bigPapa....

Are ya saying its more adjustable to the liking of the player? I was wondering if EBMM makes a habit of shimming or is the goal in manufacturing to not use them.

I guess you could have lower action at the nut and the heal and I bit higher in the middle with a shim, not always the case with just a tweek of the truss rod?

BP I need your wisdom on this...


DANO

 

[Richiesos]

Neck shims are a must. There's only so much you can do with bridge and truss rod adjustment. A lot of people are afraid of removing the neck, and you do need to be careful (I have snapped the binding right off an axis body in the past.) But if you want to get the guitar playing perfectly, you need to do it (or get someone else to do it...not me.)

-Richie

 

[Big Poppa]

sometimes you dont need them. Keep in mind that you are sanding both by machine and hand two separate parts. Lets say one bets FIVE THOUSANTHS of an inch too much taken off ..or not taken off and so does the other park....there is ten thousandths of an inch that you can easily fix. The neck angle is critical for optimum action.... that is why some of the set necks just can never be set up properly with out a total neck reset....which never happens they end up on ebay and chances are the buyer doesnt know the difference

 

[DrKev]

I dont like seeing shims, I imagine the little gap created stealing my tone/resonance.

I've had one guitar that I have happily set up with and without a shim and I can honestly say that I have never noticed a difference in tone or sustain, acoustically or plugged in.

What I suspect might make a difference, is making sure the neck screws are tight enough. Using a screw driver of the correct size, make sure they are hand tight without forcing them. Be careful not to over tighten them (as it is easy to strip the threads in the holes, which will need careful filling and re-drilling). Checking they have not significantly loosened (as distinct from frequently tightening them) should be part of your setup or string change routine.

 

[fbecir]

Checking they have not significantly loosened (as distinct from frequently tightening them) should be part of your setup or string change routine.

+1

In fact I removed the neck of my Morse because there was a slight shift. I never tighten the screws so after 10 years it was unavoidable to have a slight movement. Thus I removed the neck, corrected the shift, tighten the screws ... and ready for Rock&Roll !

 

[kimonostereo]

For those fearing loss of tone because of shims, you'd be amazed at how many of your favorite guitars use them.

Also, shims don't need to be thick at all. In the many setups i've seen, i have encountered paper, biz cards and ultra thin mylar. Doesn't take much thickness to get action good on a guitar that was made well from the factory. You also don't need a large piece of material to shim either.

 

[Astrofreq]

My hardtail axis has a shim and has more tone than any of your guitars.

 

[TNT]

Its one of the true benefits of a bolt on....

BP hit it right on the nose!!! That is why I only buy "bolt ons" guitars - specifically EBMM!! That is a HUGE benefit being able to pull off the neck - it is worth its weight in gold, can't say enough.

ALL my guitars have custom brass shims in the neck pocket, for that is the ONLY way that I adjust the action on my guitars; after that I fine tune the action with FR saddle shims.

Result: Action - PERFECT!!!!

 

[dandegeit]

Thanks everyone, the insight has been really helpfull!!! What a great forum

Againg thanks