beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 09:20 AM
A few days ago I bought a lovely 2015 ‘60s Jazzmaster Lacquer, which has a 7.25” radius neck (FWIW).
I’ve ordered a set of .011-.050 flatwounds and a set of wooden neck shims. While I’m waiting for the strings and stuff to arrive, I did a preliminary set-up. The saddles were adjusted all herky jerky, so I got them properly aligned to the neck radius and then dialed in the action based on the strings that it came to me with, which I believe are .011 roundwounds. It’s probably at least 90% where it needs to be now, with the final adjustments happening after it gets its new strings.
I am now questioning whether or not it REALLY needs a neck shim. The action is comfortable, there is no bridge buzzing, it has plenty of sustain, and the low E isn’t popping out of the saddle. The pickups are currently set to the perfect height, and if I were to shim the neck, I would likely have to add some more foam under the pickups.
Below is what the string break angle looks like at the moment. Maybe I should just leave well enough alone and not shim the neck?
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
chiba
Joined: Sep 02, 2022
Posts: 516
Central VA
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 09:41 AM
beatcomber wrote:
I am now questioning whether or not it REALLY needs a neck shim. The action is comfortable, there is no bridge buzzing, it has plenty of sustain, and the low E isn’t popping out of the saddle. The pickups are currently set to the perfect height, and if I were to shim the neck, I would likely have to add some more foam under the pickups.
Doesn't sound like it needs a shim to me!
— --
Project: MAYHEM by Hypersonic Secret now available!
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 10:16 AM
chiba wrote:
beatcomber wrote:
I am now questioning whether or not it REALLY needs a neck shim. The action is comfortable, there is no bridge buzzing, it has plenty of sustain, and the low E isn’t popping out of the saddle. The pickups are currently set to the perfect height, and if I were to shim the neck, I would likely have to add some more foam under the pickups.
Doesn't sound like it needs a shim to me!
Thanks for confirming! 
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 12:44 PM
All set up now with flats and good to go (with no shim!)
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
Boomerang
Joined: Jun 05, 2024
Posts: 43
Tennessee
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 05:47 PM
If you can get away with it you’re better off imo. I think the overtones that occur behind the bridge contribute to a large part of the Jazz/Jag sound. The steeper the break angle the more you lose those overtones. I think 90% of the problems most people have with these guitars can be cured with blue loctite, plumbers tape and 11 gauge strings. These guitars were never designed to be played with 9 gauge strings or hammered on like Pete Townshend.
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 07:04 PM
Boomerang wrote:
If you can get away with it you’re better off imo. I think the overtones that occur behind the bridge contribute to a large part of the Jazz/Jag sound. The steeper the break angle the more you lose those overtones. I think 90% of the problems most people have with these guitars can be cured with blue loctite, plumbers tape and 11 gauge strings. These guitars were never designed to be played with 9 gauge strings or hammered on like Pete Townshend.
Excellent post!
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1894
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
|
Posted on Jun 26 2024 10:21 PM
If I recall, this series came with an angled neck pocket, so, as you found out, no this guitar doesn't require a neck shim.
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
|
AgentClaret
Joined: Jan 30, 2024
Posts: 130
|
Posted on Jun 27 2024 06:46 AM
Sonichris wrote:
If I recall, this series came with an angled neck pocket, so, as you found out, no this guitar doesn't require a neck shim.
Do all new JMs come with an angled neck pocket? I just ordered the Vintera II 50's JM and I'm wondering if I'll need to shim it...
|
Sonichris
Joined: Mar 06, 2006
Posts: 1894
Wear gloves - I'm in the Rockies
|
Posted on Jun 27 2024 07:44 AM
I don't know - maybe? I think the answer varies from guitar to guitar. Neck pocket isn't the only thing that contributes. Overall neck thickness at the heal can vary as well. I've seen Fender necks anywhere from .97" to 1.02" at the heal.
My own experience tells me if the bridge is almost slammed down on the pickguard, it needs a shim.
— "You can't tell where you're going if you don't know where you've been"
|
murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 341
Chapel Hill, NC
|
Posted on Jun 27 2024 09:15 AM
Congratz on the NGD! The 60's Lacquer JM does not have an angled neck pocket. I have the same model... never needed to shim the neck. The action is great as is the tone. Enjoy!
murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
|
CenturyBob
Joined: Dec 05, 2008
Posts: 56
|
Posted on Jun 27 2024 10:55 AM
I have built 9 offsets. Some need shims and others do not. The ones that have needed shims had issues with the low E popping off or buzzing at bridge due to low string break angle/ low bridge height. Your guitar sounds like it is fine as is. If its good, you will not make it "good er" buy shimming it.
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jun 27 2024 01:39 PM
FOLLOW UP:
Since I have the shims, I decided to try it out. The .5 shim was too much, but the .25 shim worked well.
Much to my surprise, it DID improve the guitar significantly. Immediately noticeable was a change in the feel of the guitar, it became a lot more lithe and the strings felt slinkier. It’s a heckuva lot easier to play now.
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4452
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Jun 29 2024 01:15 AM
beatcomber wrote:
FOLLOW UP:
Since I have the shims, I decided to try it out. The .5 shim was too much, but the .25 shim worked well.
Much to my surprise, it DID improve the guitar significantly. Immediately noticeable was a change in the feel of the guitar, it became a lot more lithe and the strings felt slinkier. It’s a heckuva lot easier to play now.
It’s amazing how just a quarter of a degree can make such a difference.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
|
DrippyReverbTremolo
Joined: Mar 11, 2023
Posts: 144
|
Posted on Jun 29 2024 10:12 AM
Good to hear. I did not expect that. The bridge looked high enough for proper operation.
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jul 01 2024 08:27 AM
DrippyReverbTremolo wrote:
Good to hear. I did not expect that. The bridge looked high enough for proper operation.
I didn’t expect it either, but I don’t argue with success!
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
BB_Bunny
Joined: Sep 13, 2020
Posts: 182
New York
|
Posted on Jul 02 2024 10:35 AM
AgentClaret wrote:
Do all new JMs come with an angled neck pocket? I just ordered the Vintera II 50's JM and I'm wondering if I'll need to shim it...
I think the Vintera's are supposed to be set up with 'vintage specs' so they do not have the angled neck pocket. At least I didn't have one on my Vintera Jaguar I. Can't say if the JMs or II's are different, but I guess see how it is without the shim and add one if you need it.
— Premiere Single Out Now! - Keep On Running
Psychic Chime - Instagram
Psychic Chime - Twitter
Professional Website (film-scoring)
|
beatcomber
Joined: Jun 30, 2019
Posts: 135
Massachusetts, USA
|
Posted on Jul 02 2024 12:16 PM
Correct, the Vintera ‘60s JM doesn’t have an angled pocket.
— THE HYDRONAUTS…Surf Music from the shores of old Cape Cod.
CLICK HERE to check out our first album, Interstallar Clambake!
|
HerrLogi
Joined: Aug 18, 2014
Posts: 35
|
Posted on Jul 03 2024 10:59 AM
Do the 70's squire Classic Vibe need a shim?
|
synchro
Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4452
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
|
Posted on Jul 03 2024 11:19 AM
HerrLogi wrote:
Do the 70's squire Classic Vibe need a shim?
I know that my Squier CV Jaguar does not. It’s quite satisfactory, as is.
— The artist formerly known as: Synchro
When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.
|
HerrLogi
Joined: Aug 18, 2014
Posts: 35
|
Posted on Jul 08 2024 01:01 AM
|
January Birthdays 
