Jazzmaster Bridge advice

[BiGHoRN]

Hi folks,

I'm after some good advice. I have Pre CBS Jazzmaster and love it to bits, but I don't use it as much as I'd want to due to the bridge being a bit Naf.

I have read somewhere that there is a mod or alternative bridge but don't fancy the idea of doing any irreversible damage..

Does anybody know anything about this?

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

There are loads of different JM/Jag bridge mods...

If I were you I'd get a buzz stop and then put Mustang saddles in the JM bridge...it works wonders and can be put back dead stock if you ever want/need to.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

It is possible to use the bridge locking device to keep the vibrato from going out of tune. Unfortunately, it will be necessary to set the vibrato up properly in order for the lock to operate reliably.

As for being naff, yes, compared to a Stratocaster fulcrum vibrato, the Jazzmaster/Jaguar floating design is a needlessly fiddly piece of engineering. Remember, it was intended to apply a mild wiggle to what we now think of as Medium gauge strings.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

Even if you lock the vibrato on a JM/Jag the bridge will still be problematic unless you use 12 gauge strings plus you've now lost the ability to use the vibrato...

A buzz stop and Mustang saddles are 100% reversible, force the strings to stay put and still allow the use of the vibrato...it's a win, win...win!

The JM/Jag bridge can be a thing of beauty once set up properly but todays light gauge strings and desire for dive bomb antics leave most folks wondering what Leo was thinking but if done correctly a JM/Jag vibrato can be very expressive and musical with no issues at all!

 

[BiGHoRN]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

It is possible to use the bridge locking device to keep the vibrato from going out of tune. Unfortunately, it will be necessary to set the vibrato up properly in order for the lock to operate reliably.

As for being naff, yes, compared to a Stratocaster fulcrum vibrato, the Jazzmaster/Jaguar floating design is a needlessly fiddly piece of engineering. Remember, it was intended to apply a mild wiggle to what we now think of as Medium gauge strings.

Hi, it's not the term that I have this issue with, it's the saddles...

 

[BiGHoRN]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

Even if you lock the vibrato on a JM/Jag the bridge will still be problematic unless you use 12 gauge strings plus you've now lost the ability to use the vibrato...

A buzz stop and Mustang saddles are 100% reversible, force the strings to stay put and still allow the use of the vibrato...it's a win, win...win!

The JM/Jag bridge can be a thing of beauty once set up properly but todays light gauge strings and desire for dive bomb antics leave most folks wondering what Leo was thinking but if done correctly a JM/Jag vibrato can be very expressive and musical with no issues at all!

What's a buzz stop? - Please excuse my ignorance!

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

Yup. Those pesky saddles like to squirm about, shift position and shed their height adjustment screws. The commonest solution to all three of these issues is a set of Fender Mustang bridge saddles.

I openly steal most of my favourite tweaks for the offset waist Fender electric guitars from a website dedicated to those designs. www.jag-stang.com

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

What's a buzz stop? - Please excuse my ignorance!

It's a piece that you add to your vibrato plate, it doesn't have to be drilled or anything that increases your breakover angle and makes the strings stay put much better than stock if you're using anything smaller than 12 gauge flat wounds which most players today are.

That coupled with a set of Mustang saddles (or for that matter a whole Mustang bridge) will stop your bridge issues.

Here is a Jazzmaster with a Buzzstop and a Mustang bridge:



- - - Updated - - -

Yup. Those pesky saddles like to squirm about, shift position and shed their height adjustment screws. The commonest solution to all three of these issues is a set of Fender Mustang bridge saddles.

I openly steal most of my favourite tweaks for the offset waist Fender electric guitars from a website dedicated to those designs. www.jag-stang.com

The saddles moving about is because the lack of downward pressure that results from a shallow breakover string angle...saddles alone won't fix that but those "threaded" saddles on JM's and Jags are simply not deep enough to hold the string in place, that's where the Mustang saddles come in.

 

[BiGHoRN]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

Oh how interesting?!

I'm not sure that I like the look of it though. It makes obvious sense now that I've seen one. Could I just get by with a Mustang bridge do you think?

Many thanks!!

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

Oh how interesting?!

I'm not sure that I like the look of it though. It makes obvious sense now that I've seen one. Could I just get by with a Mustang bridge do you think?

Many thanks!!

I doubt it but maybe...it will really depend on what string gauge you use, if you tune to standard and how heavy your right hand is.

If you use 11's, in standard and pick lightly for example you might get by with just a Mustang bridge...if you use 8's or 9's, tune down a half step and smack it like Pete Townshend then I highly doubt it.

It might come down to one simple question...

Do you want it to look better than it functions or do you want it to work correctly no matter what it looks like????

 

[BiGHoRN]

Re: Jazzmaster Bridge advice

I doubt it but maybe...it will really depend on what string gauge you use, if you tune to standard and how heavy your right hand is.

If you use 11's, in standard and pick lightly for example you might get by with just a Mustang bridge...if you use 8's or 9's, tune down a half step and smack it like Pete Townshend then I highly doubt it.

It might come down to one simple question...

Do you want it to look better than it functions or do you want it to work correctly no matter what it looks like????

I play between 10's and 11's depending on what guitar/track/sound etc... Thankfully for me I have a lot to choose from, all very different, some vintage but never had a problem like this.

- - - Updated - - -

I doubt it but maybe...it will really depend on what string gauge you use, if you tune to standard and how heavy your right hand is.

If you use 11's, in standard and pick lightly for example you might get by with just a Mustang bridge...if you use 8's or 9's, tune down a half step and smack it like Pete Townshend then I highly doubt it.

It might come down to one simple question...

Do you want it to look better than it functions or do you want it to work correctly no matter what it looks like????

I play between 10's and 11's depending on what guitar/track/sound etc... Thankfully for me I have a lot to choose from, all very different, some vintage but never had a problem like this.