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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 7:06 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Seems we all agree that fretboard problems when using micro-tilt are non-existent.

As an ancient engineer, though (whose qualifications and experience remain valid), I'm still of the view that it's not a very elegant solution to adjusting the neck angle. That's just my opinion - you could find another engineer with a different opinion, as obviously Fender did! But that's the only reason I'd prefer a shim if I really had to do something - but I never have. Action adjustment via bridge/saddles has always been sufficient for my needs.

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 8:47 am
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Peter S wrote:
Seems we all agree that fretboard problems when using micro-tilt are non-existent.

As an ancient engineer, though (whose qualifications and experience remain valid), I'm still of the view that it's not a very elegant solution to adjusting the neck angle. That's just my opinion - you could find another engineer with a different opinion, as obviously Fender did! But that's the only reason I'd prefer a shim if I really had to do something - but I never have. Action adjustment via bridge/saddles has always been sufficient for my needs.

Cheers - Peter.

Well, since I'm somewhat ignorant on how well it does or doesn't work, and since it was created by St. Leo, I won't question the idea or the mechanics behind it...(although, he did also design the tremolos found on Jazzmasters and Mustangs, so...just kidding...maybe...)

I have gathered (in my readings as well as conversations with people who are much more experienced and knowledgeable than myself) that people have very polarized opinions about MicroTilt, ranging from "Brilliant!" to "Useless!"

I do know this--it was not always executed well in the days of it's inclusion on Fender instruments, which led to many people labelling it (and the accompanying 3-bolt neck plates) as a failed design.
When George and Leo and Dale started G&L, they used the design (3-bolt necks included) with great success...but at the time, G&L had more precise construction, tooling and execution of their instruments than did Fender, so that may be the answer--the design isn't the issue, the execution of the design is the issue.

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 4:19 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
......the design isn't the issue, the execution of the design is the issue.


+1000

That said, I still prefer the Strat's neck/body interface just as it was originally designed.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 11:33 pm
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
created by St. Leo

That "creator" stuff is a bit debatable. Danelectros had a practically similar system way before Fenders.


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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 12:26 am
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jmattis wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
created by St. Leo

That "creator" stuff is a bit debatable. Danelectros had a practically similar system way before Fenders.


Nathan Daniels may have been the first to devise and employ the system but there is no doubt about who patented it.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 8:22 am
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jmattis wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
created by St. Leo

That "creator" stuff is a bit debatable. Danelectros had a practically similar system way before Fenders.

I did not know that--thank you for the info!

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 8:24 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
......the design isn't the issue, the execution of the design is the issue.

+1000
That said, I still prefer the Strat's neck/body interface just as it was originally designed.
Arjay

I agree (I prefer the original design as well)...however, if I like the way an instrument feels, sounds, performs and looks, the presence of the Micro-Tilt feature will not dissuade me from buying it.

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 9:41 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
I agree (I prefer the original design as well)...however, if I like the way an instrument feels, sounds, performs and looks, the presence of the Micro-Tilt feature will not dissuade me from buying it.


Absolutely.

Some time back I was negotiating for a gorgeous ash-bodied '74 hardtail but the owner refused to budge on his asking price. The guitar was beautiful and sounded and played as nice as any Strat from the '50s or '60s. Perhaps I shouldn't have quibbled so hard about that fifty bucks......

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 11:27 am
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Screamin Armadillo wrote:
jmattis wrote:
Screamin Armadillo wrote:
created by St. Leo

That "creator" stuff is a bit debatable. Danelectros had a practically similar system way before Fenders.

I did not know that--thank you for the info!

You're welcome - it's a nice piece of guitar trivia although not very often useful.
Mr. Fender's patent for the "Tiltable guitar neck incorporating thrust-absorbing, pivot and locking element" is US patent number 3550496-A, and was filed July 14, 1969. :wink:


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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2016 5:46 pm
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I got my American Standard in March 2016. I wanted the micro-tilt and am glad to have it. It has made a great difference in making my Start as great action-wise as it can be. I hope it doesn't cause any problems down the road. I'm here looking around to find out why the micro-tilt is not on the Elites. Anyone know?


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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2016 1:03 pm
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Fender's FYI


FSB
But, of course many already know this :wink:

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Post subject: Re: Micro Tilt and Fretboard Hump
Posted: Tue Aug 09, 2016 8:32 am
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Wayne@Bris wrote:
It would be great to hear from Fender re: Micro Tilt... have they ever heard of any fretboard humps forming over long term use?


Don't expect to hear from Fender.
They have their franchise of repair centres that will not deviate from Fender instructions. Now that Rob Schwarz has gone, that's about as close as you'll get to Fender's word on the subject.

Rob has differing views to my own. He stated that using shims is ok. Personally, I'd prefer to just get the fretwork right. However Rob is a great and talented fella. So I'll restate this is a preference matter.

Whoever says that the microtilt causes wood to warp at the upper frets where the screw pushes through has obviously never seen a guitar with microtilt fitted from new. Or more likely, dreamt the whole thing up.
There's a metal plate on the neck heel for the microtilt screw to act on. It doesn't push against wood. I've just looked over a 72 Strat, grey bobbin pickups and all. That has that plate. I can't think of ever seeing a microtilt system on an earlier guitar.

I'll say it again, I'm really not a fan. But let's have facts rather than scare stories.

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