Need even less string height on Stiletto 5

stflbn · #1 09-14-2007, 09:17 AM

Hey guys,

I've recently put a set of Chromes on my Schecter Stiletto Studio 5 in an attempt to tame down it's sound a bit. With the new strings I'm encouraged... and as they start to age a bit I expect they will get even better.

My concern is that I can't seem to get my strings as low as I'd like.

My bridge adjustments are set as low as it can go, and I've been slowly tightening the truss rod, but where it's a Neck Through bass I do not want to rush it.

As it stands right now it seems to me as though the increased tension of the Chromes might be more then the Truss Rod is going to be able to compensate for. Right now my height on the B string is about 3/16th to 1/4 inch. I'm getting no buzzing anywhere so I'd prefer to get the action lower, but with my last 1/4 turn last night on the truss rod it seems as though it's starting to tighten up and I don't want to get to a point of forcing it.

Normally I'd look toward shimming the neck, but where it's neck-through that's not an option.

I could look toward a different Bridge, but the standard Schecter bridge is pretty solid and adjustable, just doesn't go as low as I'd like with Chromes on it.

Thoughts? Ideas?

bluestarbass · #2 09-14-2007, 09:36 AM

Couldnt you lower the nut? Thats one thing I LOVE about warwicks.

stflbn · #3 09-14-2007, 09:40 AM

That wouldn't really help higher on the neck IMO. I'd think the overall gain from lowering the nut a fraction of an inch would be very minimal 12+ frets up on the neck.

kevinmoore73 · #4 09-14-2007, 09:51 AM

I can't imagine the Chromes are too much for your truss rod. When I put Chromes on my Squier and my Lakland, yeah, I had to give the truss rod almost a full turn. The result is that on both basses, the action is really low with just a touch of nice and even buzz.

ducatiman · #5 09-14-2007, 08:32 PM

stflbm- I've got a studio 5 as well. i use d'addaario XL170 on it and can easiy drop the saddles
_way_ too low if i mess up my setup. i tend to agree with kevinmoore73, your trussrod should easily handle the chromes. are you sure you're lowering the saddles properly?
(after loosening the lock screw?)

there should be a ton of adjustment there!

-------------------duc

stflbn · #6 09-17-2007, 10:49 AM

There was more then enough room left in the trussrod. I could easily get it beyond where it needed to be.

However... with almost no relief in the neck I'm still sitting at about 3/16th to 1/4" string height at the octave on the neck. Everything on the bridge is as low as it can go and sitting directly on the bridge.

I've loosened up the screws and the allen screw that raid and lower the strings are far enough out that the small black V bridge that each string sits on is no longer lowering.

:: shrug ::

Seems like I should be able to get the strings lower... wish I could... I'll try to take some images tonight to add to this thread.

allexcosta · #7 09-17-2007, 10:55 AM

Making the saddle's pockets deeper is the only thing that crosses my mind. Maybe a new bridge.

stflbn · #8 09-17-2007, 11:09 AM

Ya, I thought that a Luthier could likely either grind down each saddle some, as well as the slides that the saddles go into. Someone else mentioned actually routing the bass below the bridge but I really do not want to go to the extreme of altering the body of the bass itself.

I ran into a similar situation with my Frankenbass which started as a Fernandes. When I put the Badass Bridge on it I ended up having to shim the neck on it because the BAII was so much thicker then the stock bridge. But as I originally mentioned, shimming isn't an option with the neckthrough bass.

I've seen someone mention what model of bridge those Schecters have... they seem similar to hipshots to me. EDIT: Apparently the bridges on the Schecter Stilleto Studio's are S-tek bridges. Either way they're pretty beefy and adjustable.

brendanbass · #9 09-17-2007, 08:27 PM

to be honest, i have the exact same problem with the exact same model bass, so you're not the only one, GL fixing it, if you find out whats up lemme know

ducatiman · #10 09-21-2007, 10:29 PM

brendanbass and stflbn-

i took a close look at my studio 5 tonite. i can lower the saddles to the point of producing buzz. my studio doesn't seem to be afflicted with the height adjustment issue you both report. regardless, upon close inspection, i'd suggest to check and verify that you're starting with ZERO relief AND that the strings are fully seated in the saddle slots (on top) . my B was not fully seated, i opened up slot to correct it, then readjusted saddle height. done.

to lower the strings further (provided saddles are bottomed and zero relief) you could either:
A: make the string slots (on the top of saddles) deeper with the proper file OR
B: remove some material from the flat bottom of each saddle. note saddle bottom must be concentric FLAT and SQUARE so it seats properly.. personally, i'd go to a local machine shop, providing the precise spec of material you want removed. it wouldn't cost a fortune, and a competent shop would do a clean job.

hey, the usual aplies... IMHO, YMMV, blah, blah.

good luck....duc

stflbn · #11 09-23-2007, 09:10 AM

Yup...

I was taking my FrakenBass into LowEnd to have some soldering work done on it (I've come to realize that I completely fail at Soldering).
As long as I was going I took my Schecter along for "input" from Brian, etc there at Low End. (Benefit of living just south of Nashville)

Of course he immediately noticed what you just pointed out. My Chromes B String wasn't even close to sitting down in the Slot in the saddle. Last night I expanded that saddle slot as well as filed a bit off of the bottom of the B and E adjustable saddles.

Result? Worked very well. I can now get my action down to 1/16th on all strings with no buzzing at all.

Granted if I ever go back to Roundwound strings I'll have to rework and raise everything up, but UP is not a problem. Getting down to where I wanted it to be was the problem, which now appears to be solved.

ducatiman · #12 09-23-2007, 04:17 PM

stflbn-

great....good to hear you're fixed.

somehow, i think the saddles were spec'd a tad tall in the design stage. also, thicker gauge strings sit in the grooves higher which requires a tweak in the grooves, too. of course, these are variables which must be dealt with by the individual "tech" or owner, according to setup needs.

how are the chromes on it??? (i've never tried flats on it) currently using dad XL170 rounds.

I recently got a 004 schecter in natural, check it out on their website, its a gem.

----------------duc

was passing through nashville on a sunday midday, went to tootsies (bar open, guys playin on sunday morning!)and ernest tubbs record store (open for bin'ness). i MUST go back i *envy* you. my cousin (passed away) was head of "southstar creative" in nashville.....record/talent producer.....had some stuff to do with the older opry performers. I've GOTTA get back to nashville someday...correctly called "music city usa" .

stflbn · #13 09-23-2007, 11:36 PM

I've been here in Nashville for about 15 years now. None of it in a "gigging" presence, but in a living/family presence.

I really love it here. Alot to do with a very nice mix of big city, small city, busy, laid back, etc. Basically I feel you can tap into whatever it is you personally enjoy. It's not near as 'country' as its' played up to be, but that's also definitely there for when family and friends come to town looking for the typical tourist type things.

But with anywhere... there's always people who love or hate any specific area. Just depends on what you personally are looking for at that point in your life I guess.

:-)