Lakland setup issue

[JimmyM]

I told my band's sax player I'd set up his 55-02 and make it play like a dream. It does, except for one thing...The G string saddle rests flat on the bridge plate and it needs to go down another thousandth or two.

Now he really doesn't mind it, but I find it unacceptable in a $2500 bass. For $2500 you should be able to lay the string flat across the neck if you want. But the only way that'll happen on this bass is if you unbolt the neck and shim it.

Unless there's something I'm missing, that is. I'm not a pro at repair but I do a lot of setups and can get most any bass playing buttery smooth. But it's got these fat saddles that are about twice as big as Fender saddles, so you don't even get that much room to work with. I guess you need to like high action if you want one of these basses. Say what you will about the design of the Fender bridge but you can put the strings flat on the neck if you want. So am I missing something? Is shimming the only recourse?

[Nino Valenti]

1st, I would make sure the neck is straight. If the neck is bowed forward, you'll run out of room on the saddle.

If the neck is straight, you need to ship the neck.

If your sax player doesn't mind the action the way it is, leave it alone. He may not like the playability of the strings so low. IMO

[ZoomBoy]

When did it start to cost $2500 for a 55-02? That's about $1K too much.

[JimmyM]

USA, not Skyline.

[moro]

Originally Posted by JimmyM

USA, not Skyline.

That would be a 55-94.

You should go ahead and shim it. This has been said in other threads, but the need to shim the neck pocket is not indicative of (a lack of) quality.

[Cutty]

I have always had to shim fender and fender type basses to get them to play the way i like,and when i do it, the saddles are resting on the adjustment screws with enough height left, so i can go down even more if i need too,shimming is the way to go,good luck.

[JimmyM]

Well, it turns out that the sax player likes it the way it is. Go figure. It would drive me mental. But I guess it's fine from my house. Thank you all for your input.

[BuffaloBass]

Most of us like our actions "too low" for most. So its likely perfect for him!