thebigyin Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Need to lower the action on my Bass, the saddles won't go no lower. Wondering if I remove the neck and 'Shim' it a tad and what would be the best material? It's only a project bass. Any info gladly excepted. Cheers Bob. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big_Stu Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 See if you have a good woodyard or joiners near you that has some wood veneer offcuts. Though I had a Tele once that had been shimmed with the strip off sandpaper off a matchbox. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebigyin Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Thanks needs about 2mm, then the action will be perfect. I will have a scout around....was thinking of a thin piece of card. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimR Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Credit card or similar plastic card? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
machinehead Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 There's some very useful information here. http://basschat.co.uk/topic/49897-how-to-shim-a-neck/ Frank. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 1960's fag packet card seems to work the best.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bigjohn Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Ring up someone who does plastic business cards and ask for sample pack. They'll send you various suitable thicknesses measured down to the nearest micron. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Business card. Draw round the neck heel for the shape Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebigyin Posted March 29, 2015 Author Share Posted March 29, 2015 Thanks guyz appreciated. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassistclem Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 Try some iron-on wood veneer strip. Can be glued in place and removed with heat later if required. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bassassin Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I wouldn't mess around too much - cardboard's a perfectly suitable material, just cut it to shape using the heel-end as a template. Jon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin E Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 I doubt if you would notice any difference with whatever material you used but the tiny bit of engineer in me would say use anything but cardboard. With a hardwood body and neck ideally you'd want to use a shim of wood from the same make of tree as one or the other. Otherwise something more solid than compressed paper surely, I just couldn't live with that even if it made no discernible difference mechanically or sonically. . I've used aluminium beer cans to make shims before now - harder than cardboard and I can justify having a drink. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muppet Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 The thin plastic binders that you put A4 paper in - the flimsy ones with a clear front and a coloured back, not a hard binder - the backs make excellent shims if you cut out the right shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jazzneck Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 [quote name='yorks5stringer' timestamp='1427640959' post='2732569'] 1960's fag packet card seems to work the best.... [/quote] This, particularly No6 Tipped or Rizla packet card. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BILL POSTERS Posted March 29, 2015 Share Posted March 29, 2015 [quote name='Jazzneck' timestamp='1427658401' post='2732790'] This, particularly No6 Tipped or Rizla packet card. [/quote] This.. Red Rizla packets definitely sound better though. Something to do with the density of the red ink probably... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funky8884 Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 You could use shim steel ( brass , stainless or mild ) evil bay will have some and you can get it as thin as a couple of thou . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoonBassAlpha Posted March 31, 2015 Share Posted March 31, 2015 Use anything you like, it really doesn't make any difference IME Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebigyin Posted March 31, 2015 Author Share Posted March 31, 2015 Cheers for the reply's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norm Posted April 1, 2015 Share Posted April 1, 2015 When the Somerset & Dorset Bass Bashers went to Crimson Guitars for set up day, those guys used plastic credit card type blanks. Easy to trim & shape. Not sure where they got them from though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonnythenotes Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 Fold cooking foil....you can get it to an exact size and thickness, will not mute the sound, and it will mould to the contour of the wood. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted April 17, 2015 Share Posted April 17, 2015 [quote name='jonnythenotes' timestamp='1429292215' post='2750176'] Fold cooking foil....you can get it to an exact size and thickness, will not mute the sound, and it will mould to the contour of the wood. [/quote] And handy for chasing those dragons... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maude Posted April 18, 2015 Share Posted April 18, 2015 [quote name='Martin E' timestamp='1427656257' post='2732762'] I've used aluminium beer cans to make shims before now - harder than cardboard and I can justify having a drink. [/quote] Ah what the hell, someone has to ask. Is this type of shim best for metal? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Skybone Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 The only time I shimmed a neck, I used an off-cut from the plastic packet that the new strings came in. It worked a treat! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
discreet Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='Billy Apple' timestamp='1427641549' post='2732579'] Business card. Draw round the neck heel for the shape [/quote] Yes, this. A business card is as good as anything. Take time over cutting it and get the shape snug in the neck pocket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ras52 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 [quote name='discreet' timestamp='1429536937' post='2752359'] Yes, this. A business card is as good as anything. Take time over cutting it and get the shape snug in the neck pocket. [/quote] +1, I did it last week (my first shimming). I used one of my own cards! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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