Neck shims

[ed morgan]

Hello! Does anyone know of anyone that sells neck shims that are cheaper than StewMac?

 

[CallMeAl]

Business cards are pretty cheap

 

[Skybone]

Used a piece of a plastic string packet in the past.

 

[mongo2]

I most frequently use strips of masking tape arranged in a stairstep fashion on the neck heel.

 

[Pilgrim]

Business card, cut out side of a beer can, there are plenty of options.

It takes very little thickness in a shim to make significant change in neck angle.

 

[JLS]

Hello! Does anyone know of anyone that sells neck shims that are cheaper than StewMac?

Yes.

 

[bassdude51]

You can buy veneer pieces on eBay or at your local wood craft store.

1 LOT OF 8PCS MAPLE RAW VENEER SHORTS, LOT #751 | eBay

 

[Paulabass]

People overthink neck shims. The very best in the business will still use business card.

 

[Rallypoint_1]

Used business cards in past with no issues. Started using walnut veener to be fancy.LOL Check eBay there are Veener sheets that will let you shim a bunch of basses for less than $10. Raw/unbanked is what you want if you go with veener.

 

[Paulabass]

Veneer is too thick, and not tapered, so expect to do some sanding (from half it's thickness at one end, to infinity at the other) the trick with sanding a veneer shim is making sure it stays the same thickness side to side, or you will mount your neck on an angle. Way more trouble than it's worth.

 

[Picton]

People overthink neck shims. The very best in the business will still use business card.

This.

 

[DiabolusInMusic]

People overthink neck shims. The very best in the business will still use business card.

I don't know, I find they use sandpaper more than anything.

Lee Valley sells wood shims in a cheap pack but I cannot remember what they call them.

 

[Pilgrim]

The Fender factory doesn't use tapered shims, they just use a piece of material wide enough span the neck pocket. Once the screws are tight, you have a pretty solid connection anyway.

 

[96tbird]

If you really want a full pocket angled shim, layer 3 courses of masking tape together in step fashion to cover 3/4 of the pocket. The thick end will be about the same as a thick business card.


BTW, paper is wood.

 

[ed morgan]

I don't know, I find they use sandpaper more than anything.

Lee Valley sells wood shims in a cheap pack but I cannot remember what they call them.

I'll look them up!

 

[Picton]

The Fender factory doesn't use tapered shims, they just use a piece of material wide enough span the neck pocket. Once the screws are tight, you have a pretty solid connection anyway.

I cracked open a 1990 Fender bass once and found a postage stamp-sized piece of pick material. Felt like medium. From the factory! Bass sounded great, and still does because I put that little piece of celluloid back exactly where I found it.

You never know.

 

[ed morgan]

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll end up using a card or tape. I just got worried reading comments about lost tone/sustain and possible neck warping. Now I'm not so worried!

 

[CallMeAl]

Thanks everyone. Maybe I'll end up using a card or tape. I just got worried reading comments about lost tone/sustain and possible neck warping. Now I'm not so worried!

thorough thread about shims + tone:
I shimmed my neck (and the sound changed)

 

[Rallypoint_1]

OP..use a business card or small piece of veener. Don’t worry about neck warpage(ski jump) or tone loss. Both not proven to be total fact.

 

[Rallypoint_1]

Veneer is too thick, and not tapered, so expect to do some sanding (from half it's thickness at one end, to infinity at the other) the trick with sanding a veneer shim is making sure it stays the same thickness side to side, or you will mount your neck on an angle. Way more trouble than it's worth.

How is .024” too thick? 1/2” x 2” in the neck pocket is all that’s needed. I don’t believe the evil empire of Stew-Mac.