Paper or Plastic? for neck shim

[basss]

A friend of mine just gave me an old beater squire jazz that needs some neck work. I'm going to put a shim under the neck. Does the material mater? The body is basswood (I think) so I'm a little concerned that the harder plastic will sink into the softer body wood.

 

[tangentmusic]

I use a piece of business card or a little chunk of sandpaper.

 

[basss]

I was going to use an itunes gift card - thickness in between a business card and credit card but not sure if its the best choice with the softer wood.

 

[cnltb]

I'd rather try a set up than resorting to a shim...if possible.

 

[tangentmusic]

You'd be surprised how high biz card thickness raises it.

 

[sissy kathy]

I'm going to put a shim under a Fender neck. Does the material mater? The body is basswood so I'm a little concerned that the harder plastic will sink into the softer body wood.

plastic is for picks, pick-guards and knobs,... use paper(I'm not a fan of plastic, avoid those complex hydrocarbons whenever possible.)

 

[basss]

OK I'll give a regular business card a shot. I don't need to raise it a huge amount. Thanks

 

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Neither IMO.

Use wood.

Regards
Sam

 

[mongo2]

I often use a stair-step wedge made of varying layers of 1/2-3/4" masking tape, usually 4-3-2-1 layers.

 

[darius8]

IDK about paper. Paper reacts too easy with humidity, sweat and beer.

 

[McFarlin]

I used the same bloodwood veneer that filled the gaps left after a de-fretting. Wood veneer sheets get pretty thin, right?

 

[Zooberwerx]

Hi.

Neither IMO.

Use wood.

Regards
Sam

Yep. I've got tons of super-thin hardwood veneer that I can use for shimming necks, nuts, you name it.

BTW, why are you shimming?

Riis

 

[JustForSport]

If you MUST shim (all better options exhausted),

Hi.
Neither IMO.
Use wood.
Regards
Sam

A full-length tapered shim if possible, and
ALWAYS something harder than what it goes between: don't need a damper there.

 

[mongo2]

I've not had any damping or other issues using masking tape. Easy to install, easily variable, inexpensive, readily available, easily reversible and it works. Give it a try and see what you think.