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Post subject: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 12:22 am
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Hi, I'd like to deactivate the micro tilt on my American Standard and not use it. If later I need to change the neck angle I'll use a full pocket shim. As it is I don't believe the screw is being used as part of my setup; I believe it's just hanging about in there.

What I'd like to do is back it out completely (loosen it up) so as I know it's not engaged, then screw it back in just enough so as it doesn't rattle or fall out later.

I've seen a few videos that show how to adjust the angle using micro tilt and they always direct you to loosen the neck screws (or at least the bottom two; those closest the bridge).

My question, do I have to loosen the neck screws if I am "dis-engaging" or "deactivating" the micro tilt?

I'm thinking I'd just need to insert the Allen Key into the head of the screw, turn it anti-clockwise (left) to undo it so as it spins freely, then re-tighten it to the point it only lightly touches the heel before backing it off a full turn to leave it completely disengaged but not rattling about too much. And all this without a need to touch the 4 neck screws (although I may do a quick, routine check to ensure none have loosened up over time).

Does this sound like an appropriate method to do this?


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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 1:41 am
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My question, do I have to loosen the neck screws if I am "dis-engaging" or "deactivating" the micro tilt?

It is a case by case, but generally speaking if you turn counterclockwise you remove pressure and you may not need to loosen the four neck screws.
After removing pressure, tight the four neck screws.

I have few Strats with m-t and no one are in use it when new.

Loosen or remove the 4 neck screws is not a rocket science, you may need to do after few years ( loosen ) to adjust neck parallel to the body .

If you are afraid to play with the four neck screw, what did you do if you need a shim ?
Shim or micro-tilt screw are only useful if you can't adjust string height with saddles.
Today with CNC machine, pocket are so well made...


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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 1:45 am
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Absolutely. Once done check that the neck screws are tight but don't force them too much. :D


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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 2:05 am
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It would be interesting to see the tone difference between the microtilt loose and just tensioned so it is in proper contact.

Logic would suggest that the metal to metal contact of the microtilt should give a better harmonic path than the damping of a paper, or even timber, shim.

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 3:21 pm
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I think I may try that experiment some time, John.
Release neck clamp.
Back it out so it's not in contact.
Clamp neck.
Check sustain.
Screw it in until it's just making contact and then add a hair of tension.
Check sustain again.
The cool part is ... once it's been confirmed the screw has been backed out of contact, all of the subsequent before/after tests should be repeatable time and again without ever touching the neck plate screws any further.
You should be able to A/B it all day long.



FYI:
In the past, if I ever had to shim a neck, I used shim-stock, not paper.

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:12 pm
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I have but one question....Why? Don't see any reason to perform such an operation.

T2

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:35 pm
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T2Stratman wrote:
I have but one question....Why? Don't see any reason to perform such an operation.

T2
There is a school of thought out there that the micro-tilt feature adversely affects some aspects of the tone and sustain of a guitar. It likely started with someone like Eric Johnson. I think he can detect a tonal difference in his guitars whenever his tech switches brands of shampoo. Something about the oil level in his hands when he's handling the guitars.

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2016 5:58 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
T2Stratman wrote:
I have but one question....Why? Don't see any reason to perform such an operation.

T2
There is a school of thought out there that the micro-tilt feature adversely affects some aspects of the tone and sustain of a guitar. It likely started with someone like Eric Johnson. I think he can detect a tonal difference in his guitars whenever his tech switches brands of shampoo. Something about the oil level in his hands when he's handling the guitars.


No offense to the OP, but unless he is actually EJ and even then I would still be skeptical! But you comments sure are funny!

T2

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:10 am
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I flip the screw over, while the neck is off the body if its not needed and add a dab of glue so it doesn't vibrate.
But I haven't really ever seen a neck that needed the Micro Tilt either.


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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:14 am
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sfceric64 wrote:
I flip the screw over, while the neck is off the body if its not needed and add a dab of glue so it doesn't vibrate.
But I haven't really ever seen a neck that needed the Micro Tilt either.



If you just turn clockwise tight, you don't need glue.
And the screw will add more contact with body and neck


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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 5:48 am
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Quote:
If you just turn clockwise tight, you don't need glue.
And the screw will add more contact with body and neck

The glue assures me that it wont vibrate loose over time. If the screw was a little more substantial, maybe I wouldn't use a dab of glue. But then again, I've still never seen a neck w/ a good truss rod that really needed the micro tilt in the first place. I could live with it not being there in the 1st place, is all I'm really tryin to say.


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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 6:08 am
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T2Stratman wrote:

No offense to the OP, but unless he is actually EJ and even then I would still be skeptical! But you comments sure are funny!

T2
I heard Eric prefers Head & Shoulders. Much more resonant than Herbal Essence.

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 7:25 am
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sfceric64 wrote:
I've still never seen a neck w/ a good truss rod that really needed the micro tilt in the first place. I could live with it not being there in the 1st place, is all I'm really tryin to say.


What's a neck w/ a good truss rod got to do with a micro tilt?
The micro tilt is there to compensate for lack of adjustment at the bridge, or it can be used to do an overall action adjustment in seconds rather than go through all the tedious faff of stripping the guitar down, putting a shim in place, and then putting the whole shebang back together.

I'm pleased that my Am Deluxe has a micro tilt, and I haven't noticed any change in sustain whether it's used or not.

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Post subject: Re: Deactivating Micro Tilt
Posted: Tue Sep 27, 2016 7:33 am
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stratmangler wrote:
sfceric64 wrote:
I've still never seen a neck w/ a good truss rod that really needed the micro tilt in the first place. I could live with it not being there in the 1st place, is all I'm really tryin to say.


What's a neck w/ a good truss rod got to do with a micro tilt?
.


+1

Many people do not know about what truss rod do and neck angle.


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