Gotoh 201: How to get low action with those enormous saddles?

RockStarNick · #1 09-02-2009, 08:54 AM

Hey guys.

I put a Gotoh 201 bridge on my Squier VM Jazz.

The tone and sustain and punch inproved greatly. My only problem now is that I can't get the action low enough. Especially on the high G and D strings.

Those saddles on the Gotoh are the size of beer cans!!!

Does anyone have and "mods" that they've done to lower the action?

Shaving off some of the bottom of the saddle? Installing different saddles from another bridge?

JLS · #2 09-02-2009, 08:58 AM

Add a shim, to change the neck angle.

RockStarNick · #3 09-02-2009, 09:05 AM

I've thought about that. As long as I won't lose tone, punch, or sustain, I'm game for a shim.

blipndub · #4 09-02-2009, 09:11 AM

Replace the saddles.

McSpunckle · #5 09-02-2009, 09:22 AM

The shim will work fine. Just put some cardstock or something at the front of the neck pocket. You won't lose any tone.

BassikLee · #6 09-02-2009, 09:58 AM

If you are going to shim, I have found that putting the shim right where the neck bolts closest to the bridge are is the best way to go. In my experience, if I put the shim all the way at the end of the neck pocket, and then get the neck bolts night and tight, I end up with a "not viewable, nor probably measurable, but sure does wreak havoc with my fretbuzz" little ski jump at the end of the FB.

rappa29 · #7 09-02-2009, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blipndub

Replace the saddles.

This is what I did. The stock Fender saddles on an MIM fit fine.