Shim neck on Muddy tele??

Joe M · July 23rd, 2006, 12:34 PM

I recently picked up a MIM Muddy Tele and I can't get the action low enough without fretting out. Would I have more success by shimming the neck or would that make matters worse? Or is there something else I should try before giving up and living with the higher action?

Ronkirn · July 23rd, 2006, 12:47 PM

Joe,

The first step to the super low action is a fret leveling, If, say the 15th fret is .001 higher than the 14th, (absolutely undetectable without using proper tools) you will have to raise the action about 1/16 to keep it from buzzing.

Virtually every neck made must have the frets leveled and crowned to achieve maximum performance. This is because when a fret is pressed into the fret slot, the surrounding wood will have varying densities from one position to the next. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a fret press, or a hammer, each one will seat at a slightly different height. This has to be corrected, and it rarely is on “off the rack” guitars. You will have to move up to a custom made whatever to be able to reasonably assume the frets have been done.

Also the truss rod should be adjusted so that there is a very slight bow when the guitar is strung and tuned. If you fret a string at the 1st fret and the 20th there should be about .005 clearance in the middle, about the thickness of a business card.

Once you got those taken care of... it's just a matter of lowering the saddles till you hear a buzz, then backing off a crack.

Note, your playing, picking, fretting style will all contribute to the final set-up. what works for you may not work for someone else.

Ron Kirn

July 23rd, 2006, 12:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
Joe M Moderator Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,198	Shim neck on Muddy tele?? I recently picked up a MIM Muddy Tele and I can't get the action low enough without fretting out. Would I have more success by shimming the neck or would that make matters worse? Or is there something else I should try before giving up and living with the higher action?

July 23rd, 2006, 12:47 PM	#2 (permalink)
Ronkirn Friend of Leo's Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jacksonville, FL Age: 62 Posts: 2,689	Joe, The first step to the super low action is a fret leveling, If, say the 15th fret is .001 higher than the 14th, (absolutely undetectable without using proper tools) you will have to raise the action about 1/16 to keep it from buzzing. Virtually every neck made must have the frets leveled and crowned to achieve maximum performance. This is because when a fret is pressed into the fret slot, the surrounding wood will have varying densities from one position to the next. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a fret press, or a hammer, each one will seat at a slightly different height. This has to be corrected, and it rarely is on “off the rack” guitars. You will have to move up to a custom made whatever to be able to reasonably assume the frets have been done. Also the truss rod should be adjusted so that there is a very slight bow when the guitar is strung and tuned. If you fret a string at the 1st fret and the 20th there should be about .005 clearance in the middle, about the thickness of a business card. Once you got those taken care of... it's just a matter of lowering the saddles till you hear a buzz, then backing off a crack. Note, your playing, picking, fretting style will all contribute to the final set-up. what works for you may not work for someone else. Ron Kirn