saddles bottoming out

alexbib · #1 08-07-2009, 11:20 PM

My saddles are bottomed out on my fretless bass, and I would like to have my action lower. There is no buzz anywhere, so the fingerboard seems good enough to go lower.

I see 3 options, other suggestions would be welcome.

1: I could file down the saddles, but my bass is a fender Steve Bailey, and the saddles are massive and complex, so it's not that easy.

2: Put something in the neck pocket to change the neck angle or simply raise it with respect to the body. That would make the neck heel bigger and less comfortable though (and less contact between neck and body = less sustain?)

3: Remove a few mm of wood under the bridge plate. This seems pretty dangerous and not reversible, so not my favored option.

What should I do?

thobbinghotrod · #2 08-07-2009, 11:25 PM

#2- shim the neck pocket.

elgranluis · #3 08-07-2009, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thobbinghotrod

#2- shim the neck pocket.

+1

That's what fender's been doing to almost every bass that i've ever laid my hands on.A 1/4 "piece of sandpaper as wide as the pocket will make a huge difference.

w33nie · #4 08-07-2009, 11:48 PM

how about filing down the nut?

Number27 · #5 08-08-2009, 01:18 AM

i would recommend against filing anything down, saddle or nut. it would be way to easy to cut to deep and then you're screwed. just try out a neck shim, its easy and quick and won't ruin your bass (btw i wasn't familiar with the steve bailey model... wow is that a looker!)

SLaPiNFuNK · #6 08-08-2009, 01:52 AM

D-Tune...

MikeBass · #7 08-08-2009, 06:36 AM

I just want to know who the heck picked "Remove Wood From Under Bridge"!!
Seriously??!!??

Webtroll · #8 08-08-2009, 06:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeBass

I just want to know who the heck picked "Remove Wood From Under Bridge"!!
Seriously??!!??

not i but if your instrument doesn't have much monetary value and you want the strings low to the body it is an option. that said i voted shim the neck, (at least) half of my fender style basses have them.

JustDavid · #9 08-08-2009, 06:48 AM

Search is your friend. The Hardware/Setup/Repair forum might have an entry or two on this issue.

lonote · #10 08-08-2009, 07:03 AM

Your problem is precisely what a shim is intended to fix.

FL Knifemaker · #11 08-08-2009, 07:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w33nie

how about filing down the nut?

Not a fan of shims..........

I really HATE the idea of neck shims or those DAMN "adjust O tilt" systems. The adjustable systems do nothing more than allow mismatched components to be easily assembled with no skilled fitting required. The neck/body joint is the most important and critical part of a bolt on bass and there should be 100% contact. If anything, take the time to properly fill and recut the entire neck pocket. Checking things like the overall setup and bridge adjustment is something that should be done even when buying a new bass.

lowendblues · #12 08-08-2009, 07:10 AM

shim the whole neck pocket, problem solved.

spade2you · #13 08-08-2009, 07:11 AM

Provided the set-up is correct, this is troubling to hear that the Steve Bailey bass's saddles bottom out. There are MANY companies who do nothing different for their fretless basses, which often results in very high nut settings and saddles that can't get low enough.

I had the same problem with a fretless Peavey of mine, but grounding down the ABM saddles wasn't too difficult.

**BLDavis** · #14 08-08-2009, 07:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by w33nie

how about filing down the nut?

NOOOoooooooooooo

aproud1 · #15 08-08-2009, 07:32 AM

Many many many bolt-ons can benefit from a proper shim. It's just a fact of life. If you go to a hobby or wood crafting store you can get thin pieces of maple or basswood and do a proper shim. I don't care for the credit card method anymore.

Jostein · #16 08-08-2009, 08:08 AM

This is probably too obvious, but have you tried tightening the neck?

**WoodyG3** · #17 08-08-2009, 08:28 AM

Are you using the original bridge, or a replacement? I hate it when bridge saddles are too large to adjust as low as needed. Anyway, a neck shim is the way to go, IMO.

Greevus · #18 08-08-2009, 08:39 AM

Had the same prob. SHIM with something very thin, ie business card at best. I think a tiny piece of sandpaper is common with luthiers. DON'T cut nut or wood!!!

unclejane · #19 08-08-2009, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alexbib

My saddles are bottomed out on my fretless bass, and I would like to have my action lower. There is no buzz anywhere, so the fingerboard seems good enough to go lower.

I see 3 options, other suggestions would be welcome.

1: I could file down the saddles, but my bass is a fender Steve Bailey, and the saddles are massive and complex, so it's not that easy.

2: Put something in the neck pocket to change the neck angle or simply raise it with respect to the body. That would make the neck heel bigger and less comfortable though (and less contact between neck and body = less sustain?)

3: Remove a few mm of wood under the bridge plate. This seems pretty dangerous and not reversible, so not my favored option.

What should I do?

1: is the correct thing to do and it's just part of a normal setup, but if you can't do #1 non-destructively, you should:

4: return it and get your money back.

It's ridiculous to have to mess with shims and start hacking and grinding on a $3000+ bass. Never keep a new bass that requires that much invasion to set it up - Take it back and let Fender deal. Get a different model bass for yourself.

I have a carvin BB76F on the way myself. They use a hipshot bridge with roller saddles on it that can't be filed down. That's the first setup item I'm going to check when I get it in a few weeks - can the strings be lowered enough before the saddles bottom out. If not, it's going back to Carvin that day

.

Having to take a new bass apart or get out chisels or routers means it has to go back to where you bought it.

LS

Stu_Bass · #20 08-08-2009, 09:09 AM

Do not remove wood from under the bridge! Shim the neck. Only file the nut slots after the saddle, neck angle and neck relief are all in balance. There is a balance between all four of these to get a great setup. Invest in the Guitar Player Repair Guide by Dan Erlewine and read it. It is invaluable to understanding the dynamics of guitar design and function and will help you determine when to get professional help and what they should be recommending you do. (Quick neck angle check method: use the straightest yardstick or other long VERY STRAIGHT object you have. Place it on the neck and see where the end lines up with the top of the saddle. It should be line up VERY close to the top of the saddle, if it is above or below a neck reset or shim is in order.)