How to lower string height ??

[evh_slash]

Hey, I know the question may sound stupid but hear me out..
I have 2 snazzy amazing Ibanez RG's with whammy bars, a purple and a pink one. The purple is a bit more comfortable to play on than the other... It turns out the purples action/string height are lower which makes sense. I tried lowering the action on the pink by lowering the height of the whammy/tremolo. Even though its at the lowest it will go, the strings are still slightly higher than on the purple ... How can this be ? What is preventing me from getting the strings that little bit lower to the fretboard like on the purple ? The bridge height of the pink is at the lowest possible height, yet the purple still has a lower set action and more smooth/faster to play. Am I missing something really obvious ?? Slight Truss rod tighten ??

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: How to lower string height ??

Please specify which model Ibanez guitars, which vibrato bridge types and which neck profiles.

Some of the differences that you are experiencing may be due to design differences between the two instruments. Some will be due to the set-up adjustments on each instrument. Some will be caused by the inconsistencies of wood.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: How to lower string height ??

just shim the neck slightly. A little will go a long way.

 

[evh_slash]

Re: How to lower string height ??

Both are identical spec Ibanez Premiums in the $1000 price range (pink is 25th anniversary RG 2012, purple is the quilt top Violet model 2011) with an Edge zero II + zero point system bridge, Wizard Premium neck, Rosewood fingerboard, 24 Jumbo frets, 25.5" scale. I want to get the pinks strings as low as the purples. Its roughly 1mm or so higher still, and the bridge wont go any lower...

 

[evh_slash]

Re: How to lower string height ??

Ohh by shim do you mean place something between the neck and body at the bolt on connection to adjust the angle slightly ??

 

[kramersteen]

Re: How to lower string height ??

Ohh by shim do you mean place something between the neck and body at the bolt on connection to adjust the angle slightly ??

Yesm i do, But with my sabre it wasnt the angle the whole neck just needed to come up slightly so i shimmed it up, Worked a treat.

 

[evh_slash]

Re: How to lower string height ??

Would maybe tightening the truss rod slightly first be a good idea before fully commiting to the shim Also I read that over time, a shim job can create a hump like defect in the highest 5 or so frets where they are higher... Hmmm

 

[kramersteen]

Re: How to lower string height ??

Would maybe tightening the truss rod slightly first be a good idea before fully commiting to the shim Also I read that over time, a shim job can create a hump like defect in the highest 5 or so frets where they are higher... Hmmm

Well we have a few factors to consider. Is the action higher at the nut side or the bridge?

Maybe if your neck was made of balsa wood it might cause it to defect. Sounds like bs to me but then again like i said i shimmed mine all over not just one side.

 

[evh_slash]

Re: How to lower string height ??

it is slightly higher on the bridge end (fret 12+) and lower at the nut end....

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: How to lower string height ??

And remember not to turn the posts while having the bridge on, at least take off the springs, or you will destroy the posts, and the vib will hang.