Recommend me a depth micrometer

[Marley's Ghost]

I'm doing more setup on my own, and I really need a good relatively inexpensive micrometer. Google does not satisfy. Any suggestions?

[john grey]

Yes, those instruments used for re-loading ammunition (in firearms) are the same as the majority of other commercial brands however they are about 20% less in cost. Do a Google for "RCBS, Micrometer", "Hand-loading micrometer", etc. Sales abound.
There are several configurations which include most any possible spacing measurement; an enormous assortment.

[Staccato]

Search on fleabay and you may find one that has a battery (and a spare) in the plastic case with it.

This one looks like mine, see Item number: 360184446184

[Steveaux]

Originally Posted by Staccato

Search on fleabay and you may find one that has a battery (and a spare) in the plastic case with it.

This one looks like mine, see Item number: 360184446184

That's a *Caliper*, not a *Depth Mic*.

This is a *Depth Micrometer* ...

[251]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

I'm doing more setup on my own, and I really need a good relatively inexpensive micrometer. Google does not satisfy. Any suggestions?

Do you really think working within 0.0001" will matter on a set up?

A steel ruler with a ruler stop should do the trick for a lot less.

[Zooberwerx]

Originally Posted by 251

A steel ruler with a ruler stop should do the trick for a lot less.

Add a cheap capo and feeler gauges (Pep Boys) and you'll be good to go.

Riis

[RustyAxe]

Check eBay ... lots of 'em there, and some are good quality for cheap. Even a cheap set $30-50 would be fine for any woodworking including luthery.

[96tbird]

Originally Posted by 251

Do you really think working within 0.0001" will matter on a set up?

A steel ruler with a ruler stop should do the trick for a lot less.

Word. Really, micrometers to set up a bass? It IS true that bass players are picky, but a micrometer? How many guys use them? Curious.

[Marley's Ghost]

Feeler gauges never did the trick for me. I can never seem to tell if the gap under the gauge is correct or not. I saw a video of a string setup with a depth micro and it seemed more accurate. And the ebay suggestion is a combo caliper/depth micrometer. For $14 bucks I am going to give it a shot

[Jakeowl]

Originally Posted by Marley's Ghost

And the ebay suggestion is a combo caliper/depth micrometer. For $14 bucks I am going to give it a shot

Hope you don't be too ruff on a FNG at his second post here, but this one I just couldn't keep my pie hole shut on.

I am a green green greenie in bass playin, but I am gettin that green off apace. I am not so green on reloading (except all the RCBS and Redding gear out there in the lab) The inexpensive , plastic reloading calipers (get the digi's, mucho easier on mature eyes) will do what you need and then some. The depth stick will be what you want for your application. They are much lighter than the style pictured above so you won't have to fight the weight of the instrument against the instrument.

More of my time is spent in my austere machine shop, tinkering on guns and various other arts of machining. I have $300 mikes that tell me my plastic "very near" calipers are within a half a thou.

Enjoy. Nuttin wrong with being precise, so the voices tell me.

[guy n. cognito]

I've never seen a luthier whip out a micrometer to do a setup. I can't imagine what a mic will tell you that your own fingers and ears won't.

[96tbird]

To each his own I guess. Just seems a wee tad overkill s'all.

[seanm]

It seems like overkill to me too, but for $14 it sure won't hurt.

Marley's Ghost, do you have a link to the video? I don't understand how it would work. Do you use a micrometer to measure the string, then the depth micrometer and subtract the string width?

And a tip with feelers if you are having problems. Say you want 0.014. Try .014 under the string... the string shouldn't move at all. Then try .015 and the string should move a little bit. Then you know you have the right setting.

[walterw]

i haven't the faintest idea what you'd use any kind of micrometer for during a setup (unless it's determining the sizes of the strings).

[Judy]

Hi I've never used a Depth Micrometer

Some guitar Techs have certain ways of keeping their Lead guitarists , Bassists happy but truthfully do you think a Depth Micrometer is Necessary ?

Action is a variable amongst every player
Some like it high , some prefer low action

every guitars neck pocket may vary so isnt a micrometer Depth Micrometer going to be not really useful between 2 Basses

Generally a quality guitar once you find your sweet spot in setups ( Action )
It should be fairly easy to even do a quality ( Action ) String height setup on another guitar ,
Some ppl shim necks to get their Action but I never used a Depth Micrometer on my 62 bass

I also may include that it is all in the ears and feel regarding String height etc...

To me who would have a depth Micrometer at a gig if you broke a string and had to change it in a hurry ?

I never knew anone that did so .

Good luck

[fhm555]

I'm a long time machinist so I well understand the obsession with precision which is a natural result of having to meet tight specs and how that tendency can spill over into one's daily life, but in the words of the guy who taught me to build fishing rods when I became obsessed with making sure things where perfect before I would commit to leaving them there.

"This ain't rocket science."

There is also the point that you can't hold a depth mic on top of your strings and get a good read on your mic. As long as the strings can be deflected the precision of a depth mic will be wasted. You would be much better off with the depth rod on a set of good digital calipers.

Press down on the string with the caliper base, then let the depth rod down to the board. Next, let the string raise the caliper base (keep the rod on the board) until it stops and you will be pretty close. it's just going to be tough to get any real accuracy with your measuring tool bearing down on the string so long as the string can move.

A little headlight has been a huge help for me in reading a 6" scale when I use it to check string/pup height. Another thing that really helped was to put the scale on the opposite side of the string.

I think a black scale with white graduations would be the ideal tool for bass set up, but so far I've not had any luck finding one i could justify spending the money on. They are out there, but are pretty spendy.

[fhm555]

As for feeler gages, just use a go/no go method and it's much easier. If you are shooting for .012", check with a .011" and an .013". The .011 should not touch your string and the .013 should drag on it.

Also, any precision measurement requires practice to get it right. If you are having trouble right off, treat it like a song you want to learn and practice with your feeler gages until you fell comfortable using them.

[fhm555]

Not trying to hijack, but if you are having trouble with feeler gages, you might find it easier to use gage wires.

http://www.industrialmachinery.com/s...66f8r739c1lik1

[Solarmist]

A Stew-Mac string action gauge works perfectly for setting action - I never use feeler gauges.

[seanm]

Originally Posted by Solarmist

A Stew-Mac string action gauge works perfectly for setting action - I never use feeler gauges.

A lot of people seem to really like that string action gauge. I may get one some day.