USA Millennium Owners Survey

[smogg]

Doing a poll to see if I can get a pattern. Did you or your tech shim the neck? If so what size shim did you use. See poll, up to 3 responses allowed.
I'll go first:
Shim = Yes
Size = unknown
Done by my tech 10 years ago using a woodwind reed.

 

[NicJimBass]

I'm guessing you're referring to the US made Mills, as shimming them is pretty common. I had a few, each one shimmed, more than likely with a business card cut to the shape of the end of the neck.

 

[smogg]

Yes, USA Mills. Should I modify the poll to include business cards? Thread title updated.

Edit; DOH! Don't know how to modify the poll.

 

[Bassbeater]

I had to shim my squier tele guitar a couple of years back. I don't even remember what piece of random trash I stuffed in there. Kind of wish I had read this thread first! I think next time I will either try a reed, or flat-sand a credit card. IME lots of bolt on instruments benefit from shimming. The tape layering idea sounds pretty good too. Clever people around here.

 

[smogg]

I had to shim my squier tele guitar a couple of years back. I don't even remember what piece of random trash I stuffed in there. Kind of wish I had read this thread first! I think next time I will either try a reed, or flat-sand a credit card. IME lots of bolt on instruments benefit from shimming. The tape layering idea sounds pretty good too. Clever people around here.

I just found out today that StewMac has full size sloped guitar & bass shims. I will probably change over to one of these down the road.
Invalid Link Removed

 

[gfaulkner]

My Millennium + is shimmied with a piece of 220 grit sandpaper.

 

[SturmUndDrang]

Probably wouldn't have been an issue if they went with a lower profile bridge. Anyone ever change out the hipshot for something different instead?

 

[kodiakblair]

Sandpaper stapled into the neck pocket was common on many Peavey basses, I know I have a few left Meridian with them.

 

[warrplayer]

I have two Millie pluses. I assume one of them was shimmed by the prevoius owner as the bridge saddles are higher than my other yet the strings lower.

Not really worried about it as I like to dig in when I play fingerstyle, but i wouldn’t mind it going a tad lower. I am thinking of grinding the saddle blocks down a bit on the non-shimmed Millie. Seems a more elegant solution. Anyone have experience doing this?

 

[Blues Bass 2]

I had a few , I used a buisness card on mine , worked fine .

 

[smogg]

I have to Millie pluses. I assume one of them was shimmed by the prevoius owner as the bridge saddles are higher than my other yet the strings lower.

Not really worried about it as I like a like to dig in when I play fingerstyle, but i wouldn’t mind it going a tad lower. I am thinking of grinding the saddle blocks down a bit on the non-shimmed Millie. Seems a more elegant solution. Anyone have experience doing this?

IMO using a proper shim such as this Invalid Link Removed would be far more cost effective and much less intrusive that grinding down the saddle blocks. But you could very well be on to something there.

 

[smogg]

Probably wouldn't have been an issue if they went with a lower profile bridge. Anyone ever change out the hipshot for something different instead?

That's a great question.

 

[jaysbass2002]

I just found out today that StewMac has full size sloped guitar & bass shims. I will probably change over to one of these down the road.
Invalid Link Removed

I recently used a .50 stewmac shim in my Fender Precision special. Worked wonders!!

 

[Relsom]

I use that kind of glossy card stock that Sweetwater sends out with their orders. I cut a full sized pocket shim and shorter ones, 2 or 3 total in graduating lengths as to create a full pocket taper. I'd love to try some of those wedges that Stew-Mac sells

 

[smogg]

I recently used a .50 stewmac shim in my Fender Precision special. Worked wonders!!

How did you determine that the .50 was the slope your bass needed vs say the .25?

 

[kodiakblair]

@warrplayer
Hey brother, hope you're well My Millennium Plus is sitting at 1.75mm on E and 1.5mm on G,both measured at 17th fret. Saddles are nearly bottomed out but the action is low enough, 1.75mm is about 0.069" or to put another way a heavy gauge D string. How low do you want your action set ?

 

[warrplayer]

@warrplayer
Hey brother, hope you're well My Millennium Plus is sitting at 1.75mm on E and 1.5mm on G,both measured at 17th fret. Saddles are nearly bottomed out but the action is low enough, 1.75mm is about 0.069" or to put another way a heavy gauge D string. How low do you want your action set ?

Is that without a shim, KB? Not at home right now to check but I would say That the plus i have with bridge saddles as low as they will go has almost twice that string height.

 

[warrplayer]

IMO using a proper shim such as this Invalid Link Removed would be far more cost effective and much less intrusive that grinding down the saddle blocks. But you could very well be on to something there.

You are right of course. Something about adding an ‘aftermarket’ shim disagrees with my sensibilities. Which is silly because like I said one of my Millies probably is shimmed. I’ve just never had the neck off to check.

 

[jaysbass2002]

How did you determine that the .50 was the slope your bass needed vs say the .25?

I purchased all three. .25, .50, and the 1.0 I purchased the ones with the holes already drilled. Tried the .50 first and worked out perfect. Made the bridge much more adjustable.

 

[smogg]

Will they let you exchange to two you did not use for additional .50°?