MIA jazzmaster owners and your mustang bridges.....

[Ruins]

I've had a nice pretty white vintage reissue jazzmaster for about half a year now, and i adore this thing to no end. but seriously, ive had the frikin bridge set up twice and i still get fret buzz no matter what i do.

so do all you jazzmaster owners eventually slap a mustang bridge on there and call it a day? and is the modified Warmoth version typically the way to go? im pretty tired of this garbage.

please please advise...

[nyrkickazz1]

Originally posted by Ruins
so do all you jazzmaster owners eventually slap a mustang bridge on there and call it a day? and is the modified Warmoth version typically the way to go? im pretty tired of this garbage.

Literally, I loosened the strings, lifted up the old bridge, put the new Mustang bridge in it's place, and that was it. Problem solved.

I didn't get it from Warmoth though, I got it from http://www.guitarpartsresource.com

[Ruins]

yea i saw that one as well.

the only reason im curious is because warmoth offers the modified version, which comes with height adjustment screws on 4 of the 6 barrel saddles. does the guitarpartresource have the same kind or is the standard type?
i feel the height adjustment option can make or break this idea.

[Surferosad]

I've installed the modified warmoth mustang bridge on my jag. It worked: the buzzing decreased dramatically. There's still a little buzzing, but you can't hear it in amp... The modified bridge did the trick. The height adjustement improved the action on the top two strings, which would have been too high without it. Sustain has also increased. However, the extra screws on the barrel saddles are a bit too tall and they interfere with palm muting. You have to be careful not to hurt yourself.

[anoren]

I have just a regular old mustang bridge in my jaguar and it made a big difference in all of the above mentioned ways. The warmoth bridge may be an improvement on teh standard bridge.

The only thing to be concious of is that the height adjustment screws can sink over time. The tech who set my guitar up sprayed lock tight (sp?) on the screws so they wouldn't move and I haven't had any issues with it.

adam

[Ruins]

yea actaully, one of the other issues is that ive had my guitar set up twice since owning it, and the height adjustment screws definitly are not failsafe, i often find that i have to go back and reset the heights on a near weekly basis.
i can live with that problem on the modded mustang bridge if the buzzing is decreased at least.

[coldbuggin]

same deal here, put the warmoth mustang bridge in my jag, problem solved.

[cob027]

I have a 2000 '62 AVRI Jazzmaster (also Olympic White!), and I had the sucker for about a week before I replaced the stock bridge w/ a Mustang one. DO IT! You will NOT be disappointed! I can't believe Fender doesn't just ship them w/ the Mustang bridge!

[JaguarSG]

Warmoth Mustang here i come!

[doingtheunstuck]

Originally posted by JaguarSG
Warmoth Mustang here i come!

finally? really, i would've thought you had done it a while ago.

[The User]

a standard mustang bridge will frustrate you when you want to change the height of one string

[jcyphe]

Originally posted by The User
a standard mustang bridge will frustrate you when you want to change the height of one string

That's why you should get a Warmoth Modified Mustang (http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/bridges/bridges.cfm?fuseaction=mustang_modified) bridge.

Couldn't stay away huh? :D

[whoresays]

i bought a warmoth mod mustang bridge for a bigsby tele conversion and it works great for that too. another suggestion that i personally think is better than the Warmoth bridge is just to buy some Graphtech saddles.

Graphtech saddles (http://www.graphtech.bc.ca/product_display.asp) - you can adjust the height on all 6 of these and the height screw are nice and snug. plus, you get all the benefits of graphite saddles: no buzz, more sustain, longer string life, etc.

[bluesy_marquee]

Ok, everybody knows,

Fender Jazzmaster... tired of bridge buzzes and dodgy saddles ---> Fender Mustang bridge replacement.

Which bridge to choose? Warmoth, Stew Mac, Guitarparts, Graphtec... anyone else? Perhaps I have missed some other brands producing modified Mustang bridges. In case, tell me please.

- Some here said they bought themselves the Guitarparts Mustang bridge, I saw it in www.ebay.com, it should be the stock Mustang bridge, huh?

- Some wrote about the Stewart-MacDonald bridge, instead, which is modified: is this the one? http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges...and_Jaguar.html

- Some others wrote recommendations about the Graphtec saddles: http://www.graphtech.bc.ca/product_display.asp
What particular product do you refer to?
PQ-8108-00 TUSQ?
PS-8108-00 String Saver?
Did you use those saddles with your JM bridge, or... the Mustang one?

- Warmoth offers two Mustang bridges:
From: http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/bri...n=mustang_fixed
This is a replacement bridge for the original Mustang guitar. It is a "pivoting" bridge designed to be used with the Mustang tremolo tailpiece (MT1C). The string saddle intonation is individually adjustable and the overall string height is adjusted by set screws in the mounting posts. Individual saddle height is not adjustable and is fixed at 7 1/4" radius. For necks with other than a 7 1/4" radius, please see the Warmoth Modified Mustang Bridge WMB1C. String pitch is 2 3/16" (55.60mm).

From: http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/bri...ustang_modified
The Warmoth Mustang/Jaguar replacement neck features a compound radius (10' - 16") fingerboard (much better for low action and string bending). The stock Mustang bridge features a vintage 7-1/4" radius... not good. To allow adjustment to any desired radius, we offer modified Mustang bridges with individual saddle height adjustment. The two middle saddles remain stock and are height set with the overall bridge height screws. The other four saddles have two set screws each. This bridge works on the Mustang, Jaguar and Jazzmaster. String pitch is 2 3/16" (55.60mm).

Jazzmaster's neck radius is 7.25" (I am not too familiar with non-metrical measure system, but I would guess that that corresponds to 7 1/4, am I correct?). That should suggest that I buy myself a stock Mustang bridge, i.e. MB1C. On the other hand, if they say that the MODDED is better, there should be a reason somewhere.

Somewhere = the possibility to adjust to any desired radius.

But: What does it mean? Everyday practical implications when playing? Is it to fit different styles, or...?

I'm a bit puzzled.

Thank you!

Martino

[Surferosad]

I have the modified warmoth bridge, and it works ok. However, If I had to do it again, I think I would have just changed the saddles of the old bridge. The fact that I can't adjust the height of the two central saddles of the mod warmoth bridge kind of bugs me a little: the D and G strings buzz a slightly bit more (not much) than the other strings when I play the guitar acoustically.

But that's just me being anal, I think...

[Fungus Amongus]

I have the warmoth modded mustang bridge in my jag, and its true that the height adjustment screws are a bit too high. but i'd just filed them down to the right size, problem solved. a new bridge is an major improvement, but the grahptech saddels would be exelent alternative to!

[bluesy_marquee]

Originally posted by Surferosad
I have the modified warmoth bridge, and it works ok. However, If I had to do it again, I think I would have just changed the saddles of the old bridge. The fact that I can't adjust the height of the two central saddles of the mod warmoth bridge kind of bugs me a little: the D and G strings buzz a slightly bit more (not much) than the other strings when I play the guitar acoustically.

But that's just me being anal, I think...

As I still have to change either the bridge or the saddles, I'd go with the Graphtec saddles so that I can keep my bridge where it is and give it TLC. Still, I have to figure out what saddles are ok. Two products for JMs are shown in their web site.

http://www.graphtech.bc.ca/product_display.asp
PQ-8108-00 TUSQ?
PS-8108-00 String Saver?

Anyone experienced with Graphtec JM saddles out there? I'm looking for your wise words :)

[bluesy_marquee]

Do the stock Mustang bridge alter the sound of your JM?

I recently spoke via email to Dave Dunwoodie from Graphtech and he said what follows about the two sets of modded saddles for JMs they sell (PS-8108-00 String Saver Saddle-Barrel Adjustable, PQ-8108-00 TUSQ Saddle-Barrel Adjustable):

"the String Saver material "PS" has Teflon added which greatly reduces string breakage and produces a warmer tone. The TUSQ "PQ" has a brighter, snappier sound."

Asked about the difference in sounds, he went

"The Sound is noticeable, less than "huge", more than "kinda"."

Guys, I don't want the sound of my JM to be altered, I went to Graphtech because I just wanted reliable saddles and strings that I could individually adjust in height, and now I'm in trouble, again!!!

Please help me...

Thanks...

Martino

[Fungus Amongus]

Im having a serius problem here!!!

Every time i bend my high e-string more than a half step it chokes! No sound at all, it simply chokes!! So damn annoying. Anyone know what the problem could be. The action isn't "that" low....

[cubby]

Originally posted by Fungus Amongus
Im having a serius problem here!!!

Every time i bend my high e-string more than a half step it chokes! No sound at all, it simply chokes!! So damn annoying. Anyone know what the problem could be. The action isn't "that" low....

Most likely you are fretting out. It is a common problem with Fender 7.25" radius necks.

[Fungus Amongus]

Originally posted by cubby
Most likely you are fretting out. It is a common problem with Fender 7.25" radius necks.

fretting out? you if your bending downwards and run out of fretboard? it cant be that, im bending upwards...

[cubby]

Originally posted by Fungus Amongus
fretting out? you if your bending downwards and run out of fretboard? it cant be that, im bending upwards...

No - because of the rounded fretboard it causes the string to fret out on the fret in front of the one you are bending at - it's very common on Fenders with the vintage radius. Flatter fretboards and compound radius fretboards help to avoid this. That's why Fender uses a flatter radius (9.5") now instead of the older (7.25").

[Fungus Amongus]

Originally posted by cubby
No - because of the rounded fretboard it causes the string to fret out on the fret in front of the one you are bending at - it's very common on Fenders with the vintage radius. Flatter fretboards and compound radius fretboards help to avoid this. That's why Fender uses a flatter radius (9.5") now instead of the older (7.25").

hmm okay, i see.

Is there anything thing you can do to prevent this?

[cubby]

Originally posted by Fungus Amongus
hmm okay, i see.

Is there anything thing you can do to prevent this?

The only two answers I know are:

1. Avoid doing any major bending.
2. Set your action high and add relief to the neck.

[jazzyandy]

Hi all , I always wanted a Jazzmaster and now got it, changed the bridge to a standard Mustang, NO BUZZ NO MORE, but now I have this problem ..Im an intonation freak and I just can get the G string to intonate PERFECT on open and closed chords, its not perfectly intonating everywhere. I tried putting the saddles in the perfect position but it just not do the trick, it also feels like the G string has a harsh sound and sounds ugly and rough next to the rest of the strings..I HATE THE G STRING !!!!
For example if a play a normal F chord on the first fret and than play an open C chord the G string (note) on the open C chord will sound slightly flat and viceversa, if I tune it for the C open chord to sound great when I play the F chord on the first fret, the G note will be sharp, this is driving me crazy.

Its the G string always a pain in the ass, does anyone have a trick for this????

THANKS!!!
2001 Jazzmater made in USA

[ilove_sharinfoo]

Have you checked to see if the intonation screw is touching the string? Sometimes, depending on the compromise between bridge height and saddle height, the screw will just barely touch the string. Some people clip the end a bit to get around that. It usually happens on the low E though. I am speaking of knowledge from Jazzmaster/ Jaguar bridges, though. I don't have a Mustang bridge handy to look at the saddle height right now. Personally, I love the Jazzmaster bridges. I set all mine up right off and never have any problems, whether they are new, old, or Japanese. It just takes some time and patience, and possibly some little tricks.

Justin.

[Ravelle]

Originally posted by Ruins
so do all you jazzmaster owners eventually slap a mustang bridge on there and call it a day? and is the modified Warmoth version typically the way to go? im pretty tired of this garbage.

please please advise...

I didn´t get a mustang bridge for my jaguar but i followed an advise i got from some poster on www.fenderforum.com He told me to push the bridge all the way back and keep the outer height adjustment screws on the saddles a little bit higher because that pushes the saddles towards eachothers and they won't rattle anymore. It works and i also recommend to spray loc-tite on the screws so they stay put.
I hope that this helps

[bluesy_marquee]

:(

He told me to push the bridge all the way back and keep the outer height adjustment screws on the saddles a little bit higher because that pushes the saddles towards eachothers and they won't rattle anymore. It works and i also recommend to spray loc-tite on the screws so they stay put.

I feel so useless. You see, I wish someone could draw a few sketches showing how to follow these instructions. This is the language gap I suppose :(

[cubby]

Another possible simple problem is the nut. If the nut isn't made properly or the strings don't fit it very well then you will have intonation problems.