4001C64 Bridge saddles

[Happyface]

Hi everyone. As part of my ongoing community service, I brought in another stray to bring back to life. I was interested in building an Alembrick so I picked up a C64 which had been stripped of electronics. (I wanted an S model). Waved in some Alembic pups and the "drop-in" installation is finally (and finely) done, after more than a bit of routing. Picked it up today.

Question - The tailpiece/bridge had been replaced with a Hipshot. The local luthier who did the work commented that the saddles are very high. They are. He commented that having such high saddles effectively moves the relief up higher on the neck. I haven't touched it yet, but the action is noticably high up towards the nut.

Should this be expected with a Hipshot? Or could the last owner have put on the wrong model Hipshot? Or is there an issue that the Hipshot is not suitable on a C64?

Thanks for any input!

[johnallg]

First thought I had was does the nut need to be filed to lower the strings at the first fret position? That would be the first step, I would think. A BadAss II fits on a 4001, but I am not sure if there is a geometry difference with the fretboard and body between an old 4001 and the C64 model.

[Happyface]

Thanks. Would not have tried that! Could be. But first, I'll try to swap the bridge out.

I finally had time to measure the string clearance in comparison to my Tux. At the bridge and at the neck It's about 1/16th higher on the E string and cjust a smidge higher onthe G.

Who knows. Still some probs on the input jack as well, so she aint ready to debut yet.