New neck problem?

[magic8161]

I got new neck for a p bass project . I put the neck on and all the strings are touching the fret board.now mind you all the relief if off the neck. Its maxed out. I put a credit card shim on top of the 2 back screws tighten the strings and left it over night and now the actions is perfect. But without the shim it wouldn't be. So is this somewhat normal?

 

[magic8161]

Picture of gap and bass. Its a china neck I got free and $50 loaded body.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

It’s always hard to say what’s going to happen when mixing and matching parts. If it’s playing how you like then you did right.

 

[Turnaround]

What do you mean "all the relief if off the neck"? If there is no relief you need to add some. And why add a shim rather than just raise the bridge saddles? Are they at the top of their range?

 

[David Jayne]

I had to do the same thing with a Mighty-Mite neck. Works fine, don't sweat it.

 

[David Jayne]

What Turnaround said- I'll assume you meant to say the truss rod is totally slack, no tension, correct? That's the opposite of what you said.

 

[magic8161]

What Turnaround said- I'll assume you meant to say the truss rod is totally slack, no tension, correct? That's the opposite of what you said.

Yes that's right..lol no tension. But the thing plays great with low action and no fret buzz. Its like a bass miracle.

 

[Turnaround]

Yes that's right..lol no tension. But the thing plays great with low action and no fret buzz. Its like a bass miracle.

Still I have to ask - why the shim? Were the saddles as high as they would go?

 

[magic8161]

Still I have to ask - why the shim? Were the saddles as high as they would go?

Yes. They were as high as they would go. It's amazing a shim as thick as a credit card made a world of difference.

 

[RSBBass]

A credit card is a pretty thick shim.

 

[JRA]

So is this somewhat normal?

yes, for some instruments (neck/body/bridge combinations), and more likely with those we assemble from parts, IME. nothing wrong with a shim if it appropriately resolves issues!

looks like you got it sorted out --- congrats on getting your ax together...it looks great!

 

[Matt Liebenau]

Yes. They were as high as they would go. It's amazing a shim as thick as a credit card made a world of difference.

I usually start with a playing card or business card as a shim. If you think about it, it doesn’t take much movement at the headstock to make a big difference at the bridge saddles 34” away.