fender squire bass action

The action on my squire bass is not that good - if I lower the bridge it buzzes on the higher frets.
I was considering loosening the neck screws and sliding in a thin metal shim - so as to alter the angle of the neck and then hopefullly lower the action.
Has anyone done this ?

Sounds like you need the truss rod adjusted

Grambo - you said it buzzes in the higher frets. Around what fret does it start buzzing? If it's before the 12th fret or so, it is probably a truss rod adjustment. If it is above the 12th fret, it may need a fret leveling job (not uncommon with Squiers). A shim is normally only used when you are unable to raise or lower the bridge any further using the adjustment screws on the saddles. A shim should be your last course of action, as it will likely [slightly] alter the sound and playability of the guitar.

My answer... it's a bass... it's suppose to have horrible action.

But seriously... I wouldn't put too much into it. It's a Squire... an entry level guitar... normally when stuff starts to go wrong... ie. fret wear, bum electronics, neck warping... and such... It's simply time to move on to another guitar... If it needs a fret job, crowning, leveling... you might as well leave it how it is. It's not worth the money... that's my opinion though.

Try raising the bridge saddles as high as you can with out them buzzing... Then straighten the neck with a truss rod adjustment... This will pull the strings into the neck... giving you good action on the low frets (1-7) and give you the best action that you can get without buzz on the higher frets. If it still is buzzing... take it in and have it looked at... just don't go spending a bunch of money to fix it...

Originally Posted by: aschleman It's a Squire... an entry level guitar...

Tell that to R. L. Burnside and John Mayall... :D

Not saying they aren't or can't be nice guitars... I'm just saying in most cases if it's a lower end squire, they're entry level guitars... I still have and play my Squire Strat from time to time... just to remind me of where I came from.

Thanks guys - might trade it in - later