Ski jump in my MIM Fender?

[SeismicAssault]

When you took your string height measurements did you hold the string down to the first fret? They use the capo to negate the height of the nut. Those Fender measurements will be too low if you don't use the capo or hold the string down at the first fret.

No, I didn't have the capo on or hold the strings down at the first fret. If you look at the Fender instructions, they say to capo the first fret to make the neck relief readings, but they don't say anything about keeping it on for the subsequent readings.

So the factory setup numbers from Fender for the string action and the pickup height are with a capo on the first fret?

 

[JLS]

I get a kick out of so many people on this forum obsessing about neck shims when the real problem is frets that aren't level.

Yep, in spades.

 

[JLS]

"I think I may have what is referred to as "Ski Jump", and I'm wondering what I can do about it."

If you have enough fret height, you can level them and recrown.

 

[vejesse]

According to the Fender set up checklist you DO leave the capo on for the string height adjustment. But you have to keep in mind that these measurements are a reasonable starting point but might need some tweaking. It goes without saying that depending on the condition of your neck and how hard you play, you might need to raise the string height. Or, if you play with a really light touch and low string height then you'll need nice level frets to avoid string rattle.

 

[SeismicAssault]

According to the Fender set up checklist you DO leave the capo on for the string height adjustment. But you have to keep in mind that these measurements are a reasonable starting point but might need some tweaking. It goes without saying that depending on the condition of your neck and how hard you play, you might need to raise the string height. Or, if you play with a really light touch and low string height then you'll need nice level frets to avoid string rattle.

I actually looked at my User's Manual that came with the bass, and it has a graphic showing how to measure the action, and the capo is not on. There's another graphic showing how to measure the relief, and it does have the capo on. So I think they're implying that you don't use the capo to measure the action, and that it's measured at the 17th fret.

... I actually don't put to much faith in the user's manual, because it also has a printing error in the bass setup section. It says for setting up the action, they recommend setting it to S/32" (2 mm) +/- 1/64". I guess where they put an S, that was supposed to be a 5, and the 32 was supposed to be a 64?