Which Bigsby Bridge??

[RothnRoll]

I just got in a CIJ Tele (TL62B-107BTX) from Japan (new) and I want to change out the Jazzmaster style bridge to something that is an upgrade.
I do not like the Jazzmaster style threaded saddles.


I think I read in a post that Rich Rice uses this
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...er_Bridge.html

Schaller Rolling Bridge.. but I am not sure if it will fit on my guitar.

I know bout this one
http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/brid...stang_modified

B ut I am wondering if I need to look somewhere else.
What is everyone else using?

[Rich Rice]

I haven't used that one yet. I've used this one on a couple of guitars http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...er_Bridge.html
and this one http://www.allparts.com/store/guitar...02,Product.asp

[BarnesTO]

Woo-hoo! VERY nice! Lake Placid Blue? I've got its cousin, Ice Blue....Anyway, what is it about the Jag/Jazz bridge you don't like? On mine, I used an American Vintage Jag bridge (not sure how it differs from CIJ as I have no experience with those), but it "floats" a lot less and is very stable. This is because I used some elecrtical cord insulation around the posts, and massaged it into the thimbles....it rocks back and forth a less and just feels more solid to me, plus it looks right.

[cacibi]

Take that Warmoth Mustang bridge, reverse it - and grind down the back lip. You'll probably notice on your CIJ that the strings make contact with the back lip of the bridge as they travel from the saddles to the bigsby - which is NOT good. Reversing the bridge and grinding down the lip is a common mod to solve this problem.

[RothnRoll]

do you have to have a Compound radius bridge to use the Warmoth modified bridge?
http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/brid...stang_modified

[RothnRoll]

Originally Posted by Rich@wildriceband.com

I haven't used that one yet. I've used this one on a couple of guitars http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,...er_Bridge.html
and this one http://www.allparts.com/store/guitar...02,Product.asp

Is the Stewmac one a drop in replacement or do I have to modify anything?

[RothnRoll]

Originally Posted by BarnesTO

Woo-hoo! VERY nice! Lake Placid Blue? I've got its cousin, Ice Blue....Anyway, what is it about the Jag/Jazz bridge you don't like? On mine, I used an American Vintage Jag bridge (not sure how it differs from CIJ as I have no experience with those), but it "floats" a lot less and is very stable. This is because I used some elecrtical cord insulation around the posts, and massaged it into the thimbles....it rocks back and forth a less and just feels more solid to me, plus it looks right.

Barnesto,
I have seen your tele on Fenderforum
I am the guy who bought the American 62 Green tele and had someone (Professional) install a bigsby. He installed it crooked.

I took it somewhere else and got it fixed but I could never get it the way I wanted it so I sold it. The bigsby was so off center nothing lined up correctly.

I really liked that guitar...!!!!!!!!!
This MIJ Fender is what I bought to make up for it.. and I like Texas Specials.

The one thing I don't like about the guitar is the bridge.
I hate the threaded barrels.
Also. the bridge is lowered all the way and I still can't get the action the way I like it. The neck has the proper relief.
I am hoping the bridge replacement fixes some of that?

[cacibi]

Originally Posted by RothnRoll

do you have to have a Compound radius bridge to use the Warmoth modified bridge?
http://www.warmoth.com/hardware/brid...stang_modified

No - what they're saying in the product description is that the Warmoth replacement necks have a different radius - and their modified bridge will allow you to adjust for the compound radius by virtue of the adjustable saddles.....just as easy to set it for a vintage radius.

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by RothnRoll

Is the Stewmac one a drop in replacement or do I have to modify anything?

I haven't tried to retrofit them on a Fender, I think they would need modification. Probably need to dowel the existing holes and redrill for threaded bushings. Be aware of the radius on whatever bridge you use. Many of them are 14", which can cause problems in getting the action low- especially if you have a 7.25" radius fretboard.

[toadman]

check out this from GFS before you buy the roller bridge from stewmac. i put one on my Less Paul copy and LOVE IT!
http://store.guitarfetish.com/wibrrobrlost2.html

on the bigsby tele i just used a Wilinson 3 saddle bridge and notched the plate to accommodate the new string angle betieen the sadles and the bigsby.

[furrfurrfurr]

i have a CIJ 62 w/Bigsby and i hate that bridge too. I tried the Warmoth Mustang replacement and i hated it even more. I did not reverse as is suggested on this thread and maybe that's why. It killed ALL the twang. Also, when i took it my luthier they pointed out that while it is a drop in replacement, the barrels do not line up properly for the tele. i put the original bridge back on and it is better, although i'm still dying for a replacement that works the way i want. i'm considering doing the 3 saddle bridge with dremel notches.

[0le FUZZY]

0le FUZZY

[BarnesTO]

Originally Posted by RothnRoll

Barnesto,
I have seen your tele on Fenderforum
I am the guy who bought the American 62 Green tele and had someone (Professional) install a bigsby. He installed it crooked.

I took it somewhere else and got it fixed but I could never get it the way I wanted it so I sold it. The bigsby was so off center nothing lined up correctly.

I really liked that guitar...!!!!!!!!!
This MIJ Fender is what I bought to make up for it.. and I like Texas Specials.

The one thing I don't like about the guitar is the bridge.
I hate the threaded barrels.
Also. the bridge is lowered all the way and I still can't get the action the way I like it. The neck has the proper relief.
I am hoping the bridge replacement fixes some of that?

Oh, I remember now....too bad about your green one, but I think the new one will get you over it.

Did you buy it from craftedinjapan.co.uk? If so, what was the buying/shipping process like? PM me if you like, and we'll keep the thread on track. They've got some nice stuff on their site, that's for sure.

[RothnRoll]

Originally Posted by furrfurrfurr

i have a CIJ 62 w/Bigsby and i hate that bridge too. I tried the Warmoth Mustang replacement and i hated it even more. I did not reverse as is suggested on this thread and maybe that's why. It killed ALL the twang. Also, when i took it my luthier they pointed out that while it is a drop in replacement, the barrels do not line up properly for the tele. i put the original bridge back on and it is better, although i'm still dying for a replacement that works the way i want. i'm considering doing the 3 saddle bridge with dremel notches.

I actually have the 3 saddle bridge off of my AVRI 62 that is just sitting here...
I am wondering if I should try it?
My luthier said that he did one like that and he didn/'t like it.
I am thinking about making some knotches and trying to fit it in.

I would prefer to find something that is a drop in replacement like that mustang bridge, but if it isn't a drop in.. I don't want it.

[RothnRoll]

just thinking... if I decide to use the AVRI 3 saddle bridge, will the string spacing be the same? Will things line up? Has anyone used their avri or american spec'd bridge on their CIJ?

I would prefer to go with a roller bridge, but I am not sure if I can find one that is going to offer low action.
I just looked at the guitar and the 2 posts are all the way down and the barrel height is right.. the neck relief is the way I like it.. but the action is still just a tad but too high ?????????? what to do?

[RothnRoll]

Originally Posted by BarnesTO

Oh, I remember now....too bad about your green one, but I think the new one will get you over it.

Did you buy it from craftedinjapan.co.uk? If so, what was the buying/shipping process like? PM me if you like, and we'll keep the thread on track. They've got some nice stuff on their site, that's for sure.

\

I bought from Ishabashi and it was really smooth...

[freshmattyp]

I'd recommend keeping the bridge and replacing the saddles with these:



http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/saddles_jagjazz.htm

[RothnRoll]

Originally Posted by cacibi

Take that Warmoth Mustang bridge, reverse it - and grind down the back lip. You'll probably notice on your CIJ that the strings make contact with the back lip of the bridge as they travel from the saddles to the bigsby - which is NOT good. Reversing the bridge and grinding down the lip is a common mod to solve this problem.

This is a good idea.
I just spent 45 mins or so playing the tele.

The strings are touching the back lip of the bridge. It sounds some what dead unplugged and I am thinking it is because of the strings hitting the back lip.
Also the string height needs to be lowered.. not only because of the action, because I need the strings closer to the pickups.

Hopefully I can sort out these problems so I can keep this guitar.

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by RothnRoll

Also the string height needs to be lowered.. not only because of the action, because I need the strings closer to the pickups.

Hopefully I can sort out these problems so I can keep this guitar.

Say what??

[RothnRoll]

Sorry to keep bumping but I was looking at the J5 Tele and it looks like he has something like the warmoth bridge flipped and grinded on the back lip.
On the one I have here my intonation screws are adjusted on the bottom, while his is adjusted on the top.
it's a totally different bridge
Does anyone know which bridge this is and if it's avail commercially?
\

[RothnRoll]

Originally Posted by Rich@wildriceband.com

Say what??

I raised the pickup height (neck) , but there is still too much distance between the strings and the pickups..
The pickups sound very weak. I was stating that if I can get the action lowered it should help that and make the guitar sound better.
The action and buzzing is what bothers me most.

[Tele295]

Here's mine. Works great, and no nasty jazzmaster bridge

[RothnRoll]

I think I might go with the reversed Warmoth bridge.
I still don't see how that is going to help me get the action any lower.
The bridge that is on it now is flush with the body and the action is still too high.
THe neck relief is right, it's just the bridge.

Any comments or suggestions?

[RothnRoll]

1 last bump

[jeffhigh]

you will need to shim the neck to change the neck angle and bring the strings closer to the frets.Then lift the pickups (may need to cut springs shorter on the Bridge PU)