New Sterling is here, but...

[kn38ms]

I just picked up my Sterling at GC today. I absolutely DIG IT!
Factory set up is A1 except for the E string from the 9th fret on up.
It seems a tiny bit high. I can live with it. I had a 30 yr bass professional check
the setup and he said the neck (could) be shimmed to correct that versus the
saddle adjustment. He did state that he could live with it too.
Overall an awesome sweet slappin' yo mama' bass. I do not want
to make changes to it. What do you all think? Thanks... KM
BTW its a Natural with maple board with Abalone PG. She sure is purty!

 

[BigStrings]

Shim the neck of a brand new Sterling? Isn't that a little drastic? Sounds like your considering major surgery when some simple tweaking would probably do the job. If it's only one string (E string), do a little trial and error with the saddle. If the problem is more than what meets the eye (your post) and you feel that you can't live with it, contact EB for a fix. It's under warranty for a year from the date of purchase and if it's out of spec and for some reason slipped by the final quality control inspection, it seems to me that EB would be responsible and would probably want to make it right. The only drag is turning it over for repair when you just got it.

 

[bovinehost]

Lots of new basses have shims. I can think of four rather major brand names...nothing shameful about shims.

 

[Jazzbassman23]

Why would you shim the neck if a saddle adjustment will fix the issue?

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>Why would you shim the neck if a saddle adjustment will fix the issue?

On some Basses the strings are too high even though the bridge saddles have been adjusted as low as they will go.

On the other hand, the strings may be too low even though the saddles have been adjusted as high as they will go.

Shims adjusts the the angle of the neck with regards to how it leaves the body of the Bass.

A shim at the back of the body pocket overcomes the first situation by angling the neck back towards your body. A shim at the front of the body pocket angles the neck outwards ( in the direction of the admiring fans )

The shim itself is a small rectangular piece of material usually made from a slither of wood, cardboard, plastic etc. The angle of the neck is determined by the thickness of the shim. Calling-card thickness usually does the trick.

The early MM Basses 1976-1979 (with the 3 bolt neck plate) had a mechanical shim that could be adjusted with a small hex wrench, via a small hole in the plate.

In a nutshell, it allows for sufficient up/down saddle adjustment

.

 

[Rod Trussbroken]

>>>>Lots of new basses have shims. I can think of four rather major brand names...nothing shameful about shims.

Ditto what Jack says.

They're a legit factory adjustment to make sure the new owner has a fully functional instrument.

.

 

[BigStrings]

Rod - Unless I'm not getting it, a shim at the front or back of the neck pocket would affect all of the strings. When kn38ms or whatever his name is said a 30 year bass professional was suggesting shimming the neck to correct the high E string problem, it seems to me he was talking about shimming just the edge of the neck that lies just beneath the E string, raising the top side of the neck only and bringing it closer to the E string. If that is what is necessary, OK, but I think I would have a hard time accepting a brand new high end bass like the Sterling needing that kind of modification coming right out of the factory.

 

[jongitarz]

I wish I had a dollar for every instrument that a "professional" said the neck is warped, or back bowed or unplayable or needed shims etc. when all it needed was a setup. I am not judging the professional in question here, but in responce to the statement that the bass may have slipped by QC, no, that did not happen. Trust me. What more than likely happened is this. That bass is made of wood. Wood changes all the time. The neck is teated with oil and wax. When it left the factory, it met our QC standards. Changes in weather etc will cause the neck to move around, and it could need some set up tweeking. If the customer feels that the bass is not up to snuff, he should contact us, as we would be more than happy to make it right. Yes it does suck to have to send an instrument back after you just got it, but we will make it right.

 

[kn38ms]

I wish I had a dollar for every instrument that a "professional" said the neck is warped, or back bowed or unplayable or needed shims etc. when all it needed was a setup. I am not judging the professional in question here, but in responce to the statement that the bass may have slipped by QC, no, that did not happen. Trust me. What more than likely happened is this. That bass is made of wood. Wood changes all the time. The neck is teated with oil and wax. When it left the factory, it met our QC standards. Changes in weather etc will cause the neck to move around, and it could need some set up tweeking. If the customer feels that the bass is not up to snuff, he should contact us, as we would be more than happy to make it right. Yes it does suck to have to send an instrument back after you just got it, but we will make it right.

Thanks for the responses gang.
The shimming would be at the Upper E string area only.
I will try the saddle lowering first.
The bass is set up well but I really like strings set low.
The pro did set up my fretless and it fits me perfectly.
I do not want remove the neck. The bass is perfect
other than that pesky E string. I think Jon may be right about wood
moving around. SLO is warm and low humidity. This bass now lives in
Fl Everglades. Maybe the neck moved a bit. Anyway I'm lovin'
life with the Sterling. I want to purchase a Fretless Ray next.
Best basses on earth for the price Pics soon. Later...KM

 

[bovinehost]

It's always good to have the VP of The Reality Check Division check in!

 

[jongitarz]

What is this "reality" thing you speak of?

 

[Franky]

is there a peckcing order at MM repairs? like, is there bosses?

 

[jongitarz]

What is it you want to know? There are only 2 EB/MM repair techs in the world. I am one of them.

 

[Franky]

so...you are a limited edition heroin puppy

 

[jongitarz]

No, I'm not limited at all

 

[tkarter]

I just can't help but wonder what the "hair of the dog that bit ya" means if Jon's avatar bites ya.

tk