Micro tilt vs Shim

They do just the same thing. If you have a tilt use it, if you don't you can always shim.
Adjusting neck angle is something you won't have to do more than 2-3 times in the life of an instrument. I don't thing it's worth having a dedicated mecanism for it, shimming is just fine.

 

The micro-tilt is as good as a shim as far as security is concerned - assuming that it is used correctly.As far as which is better, there are many opinions and few facts.

 

Shim 2 or 3 times in a lifetime? Funny, the factory shin in my 1962 jazz has lasted 52 years.

Why would you ever need to replace a shim?

OT, the three screw micro tilts have anecdotally been known to shift in the pocket easier than a four bolt. Stands to reason, but not if you keep the bolts snug.

 

The blame is usually laid at the feet of the micro-tilt mechanism. This is a base canard. The real problem is that the neck pockets were routed a little too big. Quality control at Fender during this period was not all it could have been. This problem is remedied, as 96 points out, by keeping the bolts snug. Another option is inserting a piece of window screen at the bottom of the pocket for added grip. Punch a small hole for the micro-tilt bolt and it's business as usual.

 

The only negative for the micro-tilt system is 3 mounting bolts vs 4 in a standard mount, but that could have been easily corrected.

Bob

 

Some are four-bolt.

 

G&L utilized a three bolt system that has stood the test of time.