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Removing Floyd shims

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cederick
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Cederick

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I have a compound radius neck, and I feel that the middle strings are a tiny bit too high...

Can I remove the shims under the saddles without problem? I just learned they are there, had no idea about it.
 
Yes. They're designed to accommodate different neck radii. You install/remove them as needed.
 
Leaving that middle shim in makes it a 10" radius. Taking it out moves it to 12". But with a 10-16" neck you actually need a bridge radius of about 18" - to get that you have to shin the E, A, B and high E strings.
 
Cederick said:
I just learned they are there, had no idea about it.

If you (or others) haven't put separate saddle shims in there then there is only one shim (and only if it is an OFR) - that shim makes the radius 10" instead of 12". So removing it will make it a 12" radius.

If it is shimmed with individual shims by someone - then you will not get a flatter radius removing those shims.

EDIT: Jumble was faster ...
 
Actually I think only taking the middle shim out would make it play a bit better, not much but maybe a bit nicer  :toothy10:  :dontknow:
 
I plan on doing this if/when my strings break on my VIP.  At the time I wasn't aware of their existence either.  I learned of it several months ago, but I tend to not change things until a break has occurred. (Actually I think I'm on my second set of strings, but when those go, then I'll change it).
 
Y'know... a new set of strings is a wonderful thing. I'm always surprised to hear how some people go months on the same strings. That's like going months in the same underwear. The things get disgusting after a while even if they don't look it, and their sonic character changes fairly fast. I don't play enough to justify it these days, but at one time if I went more than a week on a set of strings it was because I was seriously sick. New strings are bright, articulate and lively. They sound great. Old strings sound lifeless, even if you don't mind the grungy biohazard.

Buy strings in bulk. It makes 'em cheap enough that you don't mind cutting off a set for the slightest reason. It also means you're much less likely to break one due to it's being work-hardened or rotted like an old tooth.
 
I don't think I've ever changed strings more than twice in a given season, ever.  They aren't serpentine belts, so I don't mind using them until they break.
 
Cederick said:
I have a compound radius neck, and I feel that the middle strings are a tiny bit too high...

Can I remove the shims under the saddles without problem? I just learned they are there, had no idea about it.

Responding to this a little late but...

Regardless of the Floyd in question being of the 10" or 12" variety, if one is trying to match the radius of a W compound
radius neck at the bridge - there shouldn't be ANY shims under the two middle strings (D, G)

You'll need two shims each under the high E and low E, and one shim under the A and B, for a total of six used. As I said above, the D and G don't get any shims.
This makes the saddles come to approx. 18" of radius, naturally extending the compound radius from the end of the fretboard to the bridge.

ORC
 
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