Tremolo height on a Chaparral

[johanvg]

I am trying to setup my '91 Chaparral that I recently bought but when setting a low action of around 2mm bottom 6th string to top of 12th fret I measure a height of 16mm at the bridge end (bottom 6th string to top of guitar near the bridge). The body is routed for the tremolo so it seems very odd. Anyone else had the same experience? The neck is tilted at the body (no shims). Nut height is ok so is the neck curve.

Looking for some feedback Thanks

I will post some picks asap.

J

picture added http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg595/johanvg1/Chaptrem.jpg

[FrankieIII]

The neck where it fits into the pocket looks already planed to me. Did Hamer not finish this area? The only one I have handy is a Daytona neck and it's finished where it touches the pocket.

I'd be curious if you have another neck to try to see it it presents the same problem.

Yes. Planed by the Hamer factory...

[FrankieIII]

http://img.auctiva.com/imgdata/3/8/7/3/9/8/webimg/573876375_tp.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hamer-Californian-Elite-EXTREMELY-RARE-27-Fret-Flamed-maple-top-Serial-024493-/360463575598?pt=Guitar&hash=item53ed4daa2e

[johanvg]

Seems to be as high as mine. So conclusion is that some Hamer guitars from around 90-91 might have been setup that way and only way to get it lower is to shave some of the neck heel.

[FrankieIII]

I would NOT shave the neck heel. I believe you could have a competent repairman (Murkat / BCR/Greg here) have a very thin wedge type maple shim made (would cover the width of the entire heel) that would taper from thicker at the headstock end of the heel to paper thin at the bridge end of the heel to make the neck angle downward a slight bit more. In other words, shim the bridge end of the heel the neck angle goes up, shim the headstock end of the heel and the neck angles down.

You could test my theory easily yourself first. Cut a 1/4" strip off the short end of a sturdy business card and place it across the headstock end of the neck heel and see if it angles the neck downward so the bridge can be lowered to your liking. A little thickness goes a LONG way when shimming a neck. A business card may be even too thick.

[tbonesullivan]

That neck heel doesnt look shaved. That is just the part that was in the pocket, so the finish hasn't aged/darkened at all.

I think it's normal. I would however think about lowering the action from 2mm to something lower and makign the neck almost straight. that seems to be how hamer intended them to be set up.

[Victor (Fret Friend)]

A 2mm action at the 12th fret shouldn't result in a 16mm bridge height IMO. I'd do as FrankieIII suggests & get a shim made for the neck cavity thick at the headstock end. I'm still interested to find out why the bridge is so high if all parts are standard...

[yngwie308]

Wow my Chap Custom is a top mount , with a set neck and it is way off the body!

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g219/davida54/Chapparal%20Rattlesnake/P1010015-1.jpg

yngwie308