Disappointing CS ES330

[gnappi]

I received a "Custom Shop" as new / used ES-330 yesterday and believe it or not it had TWO round bridge adjusting nuts on each bridge post put there to prevent the action from being lowered. Once removing one of the nuts from each post, the action could not be lowered without the strings hitting the bridge PUP. Grrr...

 

I had a clone P90 dog eared PUP cover which was quite a bit thinner and installing it solved the problem. Now the action is excellent. I can't see why Gibson can't solve this.

 

I've seen this type of inability to adjust the action on a few standard 330's and two 335's that were Guitar Center special orders with P90's with the same problem. Anyone else here seen this with these models that have Dog eared P90's installed?

 

Anyway, here's mine:

 

[bobouz]

I have a blue ES-330L made in 2010. The two thumbwheels on each post are standard on this model, but each post should have one bottomed out on the body of the guitar, while the other remains free for adjustment. On mine with fairly low action, there is still almost 3/8" clearance between the back of the bridge pickup (nearest the bridge) and the strings.

 

Also, the stock set up on this model would include a spacer under the bridge P90 to raise it up closer to the strings, because normally there is quite a gap without it. If this spacer had been there on your guitar, it could have been removed to increase the clearance. But it sounds like it was not there, and you still had to change to a thinner cover to gain more clearance. If the neck is not bowed & relief is minimal, the only logical conclusion would then be that your neck angle is significantly off from the stock specs.

 

Sorry to sound negative, but if what I've described is truly the case, I would have to question & investigate asap why the neck angle is so far off, especially if you have return rights.

 

Now back to having two thumbwheels on each post > It is not uncommon. My ES-330 VOS has them, as does my Elitist Casino. The thumbwheels resting against the body are there to enhance the stability of the posts, which is quite helpful on a true hollowbody, where posts might be pulled forward, enlarging the post mounting hole in the top.

 

Btw, I also have a red GC ES-335 with P90s, which you mention above. These do not have the two thumbwheels on each post because they are semi-hollow with a center block..... but they do come with the spacer under the bridge P90, and there is still plenty of clearance for the strings on mine. Any instruments you've seen without adequate clearance are certainly not within ideal specs.

[badbluesplayer]

There is a slim possibility that the neck has too much bow in it, which might aggravate your problem. Check and adjust the neck relief first, then check the other adjustments. That may allow you to get the action lower on the fretboard without having to have the bridge so low.

 

To check the neck relief, fret each string separately at both the first and fifteenth frets. There should be a very small space, just barely perceptible, less than the thickness of a sheet of paper, under each string, halfway between where you fretted them. Adjust the trussrod to get the proper relief, Then proceed to adjust the action by adjusting the bridge and see if your problem still exists.

 

[bobouz]

There is a slim possibility that the neck has too much bow in it, which might aggravate your problem.

Yes, I did briefly touch on this in my post above. The OP says he's got it dialed in and the action is now excellent, so it seems like any remaining neck relief issue would not be the major culprit. Regardless, it's definitely worth a look in order to figure out exactly what's going on.

[endpin]

I have an original 1965 ES-330TD I bought new in 1965 and the two thumbwheels per post were original equipment, but as previously mentioned, one wheel on each side is resting against the guitar body.