Shim shim-ery shim shim sheroo?

Bridgehouse

Had the neck off my 64 P bass to adjust truss. 

Nice clean neck pocket, tight fit too (!)

There's a shim in there, which is clearly there to lift the saddles only when on super low action. I like the action with it in and that's fine.

The shim is a heel end piece - loose and all that. Looks like it's been in for a while. 

I know shims can cause a bit of neck ski ramp over time, so the question is, would I be better replacing with a full length wedge shim?

If yes, does anyone have any clue where I could get such a shim made up for a P bass that was really thin at the wedge end, going down to nothing at the other end, and prolly out of maple?

Or should I leave it and not sweat it? There's no obvious ski at the moment, but over time who knows..

gavin_axecaster

StewMac has tapered full pocket neck shims.
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Bass_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Bass_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Bass.html
Half price shipping to the UK at the moment too.

JezWynd

If it's been there since 1964 I'm thinking it's probably okay. 

guitarfishbay

I'd leave it personally, and I also don't believe it'll make much difference to the neck.  As noted if it's been there a long time (potentially since 1964) if anything was going to have happened it would have by now.

All of my bolt on instruments are shimmed currently, I prefer the feel when there's a bit more break angle at the bridge.

Bridgehouse

I'm not sure it's been there since 64, it doesn't look old enough.. 

I will prolly leave it, but going to see if a full length shim might be available

Bridgehouse

gavin_axecaster said:

StewMac has tapered full pocket neck shims.
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Bass_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Bass_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Bass.html
Half price shipping to the UK at the moment too.

Just had a look at this - I'm gonna get a set of three and see how they fit.. looks like they might be ideal.

Ta!

Bridgehouse

Bridgehouse said:

gavin_axecaster said:

StewMac has tapered full pocket neck shims.
http://www.stewmac.com/Materials_and_Supplies/Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Electric_Bass_Bodies_and_Necks_and_Wood/Bass_Necks/StewMac_Neck_Shims_for_Bass.html
Half price shipping to the UK at the moment too.

Just had a look at this - I'm gonna get a set of three and see how they fit.. looks like they might be ideal.

Ta!

Just ordered a set. Will report back when they arrive. Got a few projects coming up so I've gone with the 3 pack of shaped and 3 pack of unshaped. Could be interesting!

Bridgehouse

Crikey. I've taken the shim out. Popped some TI Flatwounds on (lighter gauge and lower tension) and flipped the saddles - the holes were slightly off centre so they actually sit lower now. 

Another quick truss tweak for the lower tension, and I'm rocking a .005" relief and approx. 4/64 across the board. Tad more on the E, tad less on the G. 

I don't know if it's the TI flats or the lack of shim but there's more sustain to my ears, it feels even more solid, and it does genuinely feel a bit different. Wow.