Non-Recessed Trems

Toxicity! · #1 05-16-2007, 07:05 AM

hey guys, i'm currently placing an order for a custom guitar and i would like to use a standard wilkinson Vs-100N trem for the guitar. i was just thinking that since wilkinson trems cavities are non recessed, can the action of the guitar be as low as a recessed trem? compared to say, an ibanez with a recessed trem cavity? Thanks folks...

Dee · #2 05-16-2007, 07:35 AM

This would also depend on the depth of the neck pocket.

AirGuitar · #3 05-16-2007, 08:16 AM

You can usually adjust the height of the string saddles individually which will help lower the action.

I had the problem on my EBMM JP, where i couldnt get the action at all low without bottoming out the trem. I noticed the saddles were really high, adjusted them all a little lower, and it works fine.

neptoess · #4 05-16-2007, 08:45 AM

you should be fine. EVH used a surface mount floyd and look how far he's gotten

Toxicity! · #5 05-16-2007, 01:10 PM

thanks for all the helpful replies... if im not mistaken EVH's guitar neck was shimmed to provide some sort of neck angle... i want to avoid that if possible... i don't really like the guitar neck at an angle.. =)

neptoess · #6 05-17-2007, 08:53 AM

he angled his neck to lower the action lower than the trem mounted against the guitar body would allow. If he'd just recess the whole unit, it'd still be sitting on wood, and wouldnt float unless he routed away the **** to let it.

Dee · #7 05-17-2007, 09:02 AM

I can't stand shims either. I dunno why. I'm probably being a bit anal or something... but I like the neck to be in full contact with the body rather than a piece of folded paper.

nuno · #8 05-17-2007, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

I can't stand shims either. I dunno why. I'm probably being a bit anal or something... but I like the neck to be in full contact with the body rather than a piece of folded paper.

surely the best option is to have full contact between nack and body, but (very) often it happens that you can't set decent low action even with the trem lowered all the way down, either with or without recessed cavity. that's when the shim becomes a bless.
personally (i'm a local setup guy) i have to shim necks about 5-6 times on 10.

Dee · #9 05-17-2007, 10:17 AM

Nuno, you're completely right, sir. I understand that sometimes it's necessary to achieve a good action or a better pull-up range on the trem, but fortunately I've never really had to do it on any of my guitars anyway.

EDIT: I lied, I had to do it one of them.

Just out of interest, do you use card or paper for your shims? How about brass? I think Eric Johnson uses it. I have used a thin wooden veneer in the past.

nuno · #10 05-17-2007, 10:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

do you use card or paper for your shims? How about brass?

well, they say "the harder the better", probably it's true in theory, but i doubt the human ear could ever hear any difference between brass or carboard or wood or whatever. i often use old phone cards (for thin shims) or old credit cards (thick shims), or pieces of plastic. sometimes i use folded brass foil too.

Dee · #11 05-17-2007, 10:40 AM

I doubt anyone could really hear the difference too. It just bugs me to know it's there... silly, I know, but that's how I am.

nuno · #12 05-17-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

It just bugs me to know it's there... silly, I know, but that's how I am.

not that much, i understand perfectly. sometimes i'm up all night because there's something imperfect in a guitar i just finished to setup, even if it sounds and plays superbly. but i know there's something "inside" that's not like i wanted it to be, and then i dismantle the whole thing and start back from zero! who's silly now?