Charvel San Dimas action question - 12th and 22nd frets?

[AndyK]

I am thinking my '08 Charvel Pro Mod style 1 can use a shim in the neck pocket, because my Floyd and bridge pickups are way high. I also notice that the action is about the same height at the 12th and 22nd frets, where usually there is a slight increase in height, so I am thinking the neck is angled back too much.

Can someone measure and let me know the difference in action height between the 12th and last frets on their Charvel type bolt on guitars, so I know what size shim to put in?

Thanks!

 

[Johnny LaRue]

that was your 666th post. you must now quit posting, otherwise you'll spoil it.

sorry, can't help with your question.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I will try to later tonight. The guitar tech who worked on my 2005 Charvel Mod 1 put shims in to get the action where I wanted it. I could ask him what size shims he used.

 

[AndyK]

I will try to later tonight. The guitar tech who worked on my 2005 Charvel Mod 1 put shims in to get the action where I wanted it. I could ask him what size shims he used.

Ha, 667!!

Thanks, the size of the shim is probably not important, since all guitars are different. I just need the measured difference. So if you say your action was 4/64ths at the 12th, and 6/64ths at the 22nd, I would know how much shim I would need to correct my action.

 

[metalmaniac93]

I will try to later tonight. The guitar tech who worked on my 2005 Charvel Mod 1 put shims in to get the action where I wanted it. I could ask him what size shims he used.

Ha, 667!!

Thanks, the size of the shim is probably not important, since all guitars are different. I just need the measured difference. So if you say your action was 4/64ths at the 12th, and 6/64ths at the 22nd, I would know how much shim I would need to correct my action.

OK, do you want me to measure with the string pressed at the 12th and 22nd or just as is?

 

[AndyK]

I will try to later tonight. The guitar tech who worked on my 2005 Charvel Mod 1 put shims in to get the action where I wanted it. I could ask him what size shims he used.

Ha, 667!!

Thanks, the size of the shim is probably not important, since all guitars are different. I just need the measured difference. So if you say your action was 4/64ths at the 12th, and 6/64ths at the 22nd, I would know how much shim I would need to correct my action.

OK, do you want me to measure with the string pressed at the 12th and 22nd or just as is?

Just as is, string to top of fret - checking to see how high your action is in those frets.

 

[metalmaniac93]

Ok, will do. I will give you the measurements tearly this evening my time (Chicago/Central).

 

[AndyK]

Cool! Thanks!

 

[charvelstrat81]

I own 7 charvels and a few of them are the pro mods, the reason there is a shim in the neck pocket is due to the mounting of the OFR, since the floyd is not routed with a recess and is top mounted like it is they use a shim to get a lower action

 

[metalmaniac93]

I own 7 charvels and a few of them are the pro mods, the reason there is a shim in the neck pocket is due to the mounting of the OFR, since the floyd is not routed with a recess and is top mounted like it is they use a shim to get a lower action

Yes, that is correct and that is how I got my lower action with the Floyd riding slightly above the body.

 

[AndyK]

Most of the time, I shim because the action is too high, and the neck needs to be angled back more. In this case, I THINK the neck needs to be angled more forward, to raise the action, and allow me to lower the Floyd and pickups to compensate.

 

[Chubtone]

Most of the time, I shim because the action is too high, and the neck needs to be angled back more. In this case, I THINK the neck needs to be angled more forward, to raise the action, and allow me to lower the Floyd and pickups to compensate.

My 2011 Custom Shop is at 2/32" at the 12th fret and 3/32" of an inch at the 22nd fret. My 1984 San Dimas is at 3/32" at the 12th and 3/32" at the 22nd. They both feel great to me. My Pro Mod is at work right now, but I would guess it's in that same ball park. I like my action a touch higher than most do.

 

[AndyK]

[My 2011 Custom Shop is at 2/32" at the 12th fret and 3/32" of an inch at the 22nd fret. My 1984 San Dimas is at 3/32" at the 12th and 3/32" at the 22nd. They both feel great to me. My Pro Mod is at work right now, but I would guess it's in that same ball park. I like my action a touch higher than most do.

Cool. About how much relief do you have? Maybe I need more relief, and no shim.

 

[Chubtone]

I like my guitars to have a decent amount of relief and higher than normal action because I honestly believe they sound better with the strings up off the board. If you play with TONS of gain, I don't think it matters as much.

I don't know exactly how to measure relief, but on my 2011, I have 2/32" at the 7th and the 9th fret. Does that help? I really never measure stuff like this, just go by feel, but I understand where you are coming from in that you have to get everything in roughly the right spot before making it feel right.

I also sent a text to my buddy in the Custom Shop to get the factory specs at the 12th and 22nd frets. He won't text back until a break or lunch.

 

[AndyK]

Cool, let me know if he get's back to you! Thanks.

That's a ton of relief actually (not that there's anything wrong with that)! I know what you mean though, I also like digging in and feeling the notes, without the metalic buzz that low action tends to give you if you don't have a lighter touch.

That said, if you have higher action, you really don't need all that relief, and may enjoy a straighter neck!

 

[metalmaniac93]

I measured my 2005 Charvel Reissue Mod 1 and it is the same measurement at the 12th fret and the 22nd fret. Around 5/32 for both frets.

 

[Chubtone]

I measured my 2005 Charvel Reissue Mod 1 and it is the same measurement at the 12th fret and the 22nd fret. Around 5/32 for both frets.

Bottom of the string to top of the fret?

 

[metalmaniac93]

I measured my 2005 Charvel Reissue Mod 1 and it is the same measurement at the 12th fret and the 22nd fret. Around 5/32 for both frets.

Bottom of the string to top of the fret?

Measured at the top of the string. It is around 2/32 at both the 12th and 22nd frets.

 

[AndyK]

Interesting. So my neck doesn't need a shim. Maybe I just need a bit more relief. I'll experiment with it tonight and see what I come up with. Thanks for the numbers!

 

[John4021]

Back bow in the neck shouldnt be more than .015/.018 of an inch.
No way to measure that? A typical Buisness card is .010 thick