Anyone ever shim a bolt-on guitar neck?

[glassjaw7]

I did on the first(and only) electric I ever built by myself. I mis-calculated the neck pocket and had to shim with a piece of alder. It plays great now. Sorry I can't give any good advice on the procedure though, I just winged it.

 

[boof]

I trimmed a business card for one of mine...worked fine.

I would guess wood or metal might be better, but I bought a Strat once that had a cardboard shim from the factory so I just copied that.

that's what I used as well. one business card doesn't work just add another. I only used a small piece at the base of the joint to give the neck some tilt rather than a full pocket shim. you can cut them exactly the shape you want and costs nothing and you are done in a minute rather than having to order any special made item.

Boof.

 

[buddaman71]

business cards work GREAT and cost nothing!!

 

[jjblacksheep]

Hell, I've used folded sandpaper (grit side folded onto itself so paper is out), works fine, no change in tone or sustain.

 

[Random Hero]

Yup, a UV. Neck angle was dreadful but a piece of paper, folded, sorted it right out. I used a piece of an old credit card at first but it was way too much.

Give it a try. Easy to do and easily reversible.

 

[shredhead666]

You know I just found a use for an old spent guitar pick. It was JUST the right size to work as a heel shim. Action is perfect now. I tried using a thicker pick thinking the fender medium wouldn't be thick enough, but it was WAY too much. Popped the old spent fender medium pick in there and all was well. Apparently fender used to use guitar picks as shims all the time on lots of their old guitars. You had a good chance of having a guitar pick fall out if you removed the neck. Totally weird, but it works.

Thanks guys!!!

 

[shredhead666]

I have,however i'm a tool maker,so getting thin pieces of steel is easy,and it worked out great.
I wouldn't use a guitar pick,this company has every shim one can imagine.
http://www.dougstampco.com/

Do you think I could get metal shims at the local Lowes/Home Depot? Cutting to fit wouldn't be an issue, just need to figure out how thick I need it.

Also, it's a 4- bolt neck, what about washers on either the upper or lower two of the bolts between body and neck? Good idea/bad idea?

A sheet of brass cut to fit in the pocket would probably be best. A guitar pick will work. If you used washers it would probably work but you would need some slim ones.

Cool looking guitar, what kind of body?

I really have no clue, or any way of knowing. I'm guessing it's the body that came with the neck and some dude just spent WAY too much time "distressing" it. It really looks better in person than any of the Fender Relic models I've seen. I'm going to try and get a better picture of it with some better lighting so you guys can see.

 

[locoed]

I have,however i'm a tool maker,so getting thin pieces of steel is easy,and it worked out great.
I wouldn't use a guitar pick,this company has every shim one can imagine.
http://www.dougstampco.com/

Do you think I could get metal shims at the local Lowes/Home Depot? Cutting to fit wouldn't be an issue, just need to figure out how thick I need it.

Also, it's a 4- bolt neck, what about washers on either the upper or lower two of the bolts between body and neck? Good idea/bad idea?

I'm not sure if hardware stores carry them.