How to Shim a Fender Telecaster Neck
There are times when a Fender Telecaster cannot be properly set up because the neck angle is incorrect. A neck shim can be placed into the neck pocket to adjust the angle. The shim acts as a fulcrum in the neck cavity, causing the neck angle to shift slightly. Where the shim is placed in the cavity alters how the angle is readjusted. It can sometimes take several attempts to properly place a shim.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Examine the distance of the strings over the frets. See if the strings get closer or farther away from the frets as they move closer to the guitar body.
-
2
Remove all of the strings on the guitar.
-
-
3
Remove the screws directly behind where the neck and body of the guitar connect. Be sure to keep track of the neck plate and any washers removed with the screws.
-
4
Place the shim into the Telecaster neck pocket. If the strings get closer to the frets higher on the neck, place the shim on the edge of the neck pocket near the top of the body. If the strings get farther from the frets higher on the neck, place the shim on the edge of the neck pocket closest to the neck pickup.
-
5
Reattach the neck to the guitar with the shim in place.
-
6
Restring the guitar.
-
7
Recheck the neck angle to see if the strings are properly spaced over the entire neck. If not, try adjusting the bridge height to see if that will fix the problem.
-
8
Repeat the process if the bridge readjustment does not work. If the neck angle change is too great, try adjusting the location of the shim closer to the center of the neck pocket. If the neck angle change is too small, trying adding an additional shim.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
The shim does not have to be very thick to significantly alter the neck angle. A matchbook cover is a good reference for the size of a neck shim. The pressure of the neck bolted to the guitar body is all that should hold the neck shim in place. Do not glue it in place. This can make further adjustments to the guitar more difficult if the shim needs to be removed or replaced. Since the strings on the guitar might be removed and put on multiple times, do not cut the ends of the strings until after the neck angle is correct.
Make sure the neck is tightly bolted in place before restringing the guitar.
References
- Photo Credit Roadside Guitars, http://www.flickr.com/people/roadsideguitars/
More Like This
Comments
-
roadsideguitars
Oct 05, 2009
Hey, this is Matt from Roadside Guitars. First off, nice photo ;) , and great instructional article! A very good walk-through for someone who hasn't adjusted the neck angle of a guitar before. The reason I'm commenting is because I think the Fender Micro-Tilt adjustment is worth mentioning here. The Tele in that photo along with most other recent production Fender American series guitars have this adjustment. It's a small hex screw that pushes against a plate in the butt of the neck. It's accessed through a hole in the neck plate on the back of the guitar. It's much like an adjustable shim, but instead of having to remove the neck completely or greatly loosen in, you only have to loosen the neck screws by about 4 turns to make an adjustment. Tightening the Micro-Tilt adjustment screw raises your action, loosening does the opposite. This adjustment is hated by many, loved by few, but ... -
roadsideguitars
Oct 05, 2009
Hey, this is Matt from Roadside Guitars. First off, nice photo ;) , and great instructional article! A very good walk-through for someone who hasn't adjusted the neck angle of a guitar before. The reason I'm commenting is because I think the Fender Micro-Tilt adjustment is worth mentioning here. The Tele in that photo along with most other recent production Fender American series guitars have this adjustment. It's a small hex screw that pushes against a plate in the butt of the neck. It's accessed through a hole in the neck plate on the back of the guitar. It's much like an adjustable shim, but instead of having to remove the neck completely or greatly loosen in, you only have to loosen the neck screws by about 4 turns to make an adjustment. Tightening the Micro-Tilt adjustment screw raises your action, loosening does the opposite. This adjustment is hated by many, loved by few, but ...
