Best Way to Shim a Neck

[ScottyBHarris]

I swapped out the neck on one of my Wolfgang Specials, and I need a little more height near the neck pocket. Seems like I need a shim. I have seen guys use a business card, and even a small thing wood shim, but curious what you guys think is the best approach.

All input is welcome.

Thanks in advance.

[Jedi McFly]

I've used pieces of business cards plenty of times. I cut them in half and then cut one of those halves again to have a quarter. I start with the quarter and then graduate to the half if necessary. And then if that's still not enough you can add a quarter on top of a half. Hope all that makes sense.

I've also used Stewmac's shims as they take up the entire neck pocket. They work really nicely. But a piece of a business card works when you're in a time crunch.

[ScottyBHarris]

Nice feedback Jedi. Much appreciated.

[ScottyBHarris]

I've used pieces of business cards plenty of times. I cut them in half and then cut one of those halves again to have a quarter. I start with the quarter and then graduate to the half if necessary. And then if that's still not enough you can add a quarter on top of a half. Hope all that makes sense.

I've also used Stewmac's shims as they take up the entire neck pocket. They work really nicely. But a piece of a business card works when you're in a time crunch.

Did you notice any difference in tone with the Stewmac shim vs business cards?

[Jedi McFly]

I couldn't reliably tell you which of my guitars I shimmed with business cards...if I didn't have a spreadsheet for set ups and specs on all of them.

So the answer is no, I don't think there's any material impact to tone by shimming with the different methods. I like that the Stewmac shims taper to cover the entire neck, as theoretically if you use too hard a business card you could make an indentation on the neck heel.

[ScottyBHarris]

Gotcha!

[LAD-1972]

I've used pieces of business cards plenty of times. I cut them in half and then cut one of those halves again to have a quarter. I start with the quarter and then graduate to the half if necessary. And then if that's still not enough you can add a quarter on top of a half.

I’ve used a similar gradation process with aluminum HVAC tape on the back of the neck instead of the pocket. Come to think of it, I’ve used it on a few Floyd saddles, too. The FR shims are a pain.

[joezlo]

Business cards, wood shavings, fine grit sandpaper (to prevent sliding if you're having a hard time - not 100% recommended).

One time, I put a really thick piece of cardboard in the neck pocket and just tightened the neck screws until I had the action I wanted because the Floyd was im-movable, and shims were not working to my novice brain at the time.

I'd have to replace the card board once in a while, and eventually I gave up and took it to Unkert....

...He was not amused.

[Brett]

I use a pick many times. In fact, that’s always what I use.

[Jedi McFly]

I use a pick many times. In fact, that’s always what I use.

IIRC, the $25k Frankenstein replicas used a white guitar pick with gold VH logo, so I assume that's what the original has in it as well.

[ScottyBHarris]

I use a pick many times. In fact, that’s always what I use.

What size pick do you use? Just one pick?

[Brett]

What size pick do you use? Just one pick?

You know those gray EVH picks that the VH store sells? Jeff used to give me a shit load of those so those are what I would use. And it was just one.

[ScottyBHarris]

You know those gray EVH picks that the VH store sells? Jeff used to give me a shit load of those so those are what I would use. And it was just one.

Cool, I have a bunch of those gray pics too. I’ll give it a shot.

I also ordered a Stewmac shim. If the pick doesn’t work, I’ll try the Stewmac shim.

Thanks for all the feedback, Brothers!

[Little Intruder]

Scotty, hope things work out! Who knew guitar pics were so invaluable? But I do love my trusty Dunlop's. Any time I broke or lost one, I hated having to use a dime to play my guitars.

[ejmaes67]

I don't know if this is the best approach or not, but I've used aluminum foil in the past and it seemed to work. I covered the whole pocket and was able to screw right through it. The bitch was trying to get the correct shim height by folding the foil.