Jazzmaster bridge options...

[Danjabellza]

I am considering a jazzmaster partscaster build, I'm not a huge vibrato fan, and I would prefer not to install one at all.

I was wondering though, how important is the standard jazzmaster bridge/vibrato setup for the overall sound of the jazzmaster?

I imagine the string tension achieved by the angle of the vibrato/bridge would have some effect of feel/sound, but would a hard tail jazzmaster still sound by in large like a jazzmaster? I know the pickups are key, but string tension can't be ignored either.

 

[dog fart]

IMHO the bridge is such a big part of the sound I would install the vibrato setup and use the lock on it to hold it place. As for the actual bridge, I would leave the decision of using an original, Mustang or Mastery up to you. I don't use a vibrato at all so this is what I did with my Jag using a Mustang bridge and blue loc-tite to kill the rattle. This is just my advice, feel free to ignore it. That's what my wife does

I don't recall seeing you around so let me say welcome aboard.

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

There is a hardtail option for the Jazzmaster and it's reversible, offered by Faction Guitars
(link removed)

 

[dog fart]

There is a hardtail option for the Jazzmaster and it's reversible, offered by Faction Guitars
(link removed)

Do you know if they do a Tele style switchplate for the Jag ala Johnny Marr? Apologies for the derail, I hope to keep it short.

 

[Danjabellza]

Very cool! Thanks for the welcome and the advice. It's mostly a head game at this point, I've got a baby and another one coming so it'll be a little while yet before I start my builds, but they will happen.

 

[62 Jazzmaster]

Do you know if they do a Tele style switchplate for the Jag ala Johnny Marr? Apologies for the derail, I hope to keep it short.

(link removed) might be what you're looking for.

The beauty of this hardtail option is it keeps the string length behind the bridge, providing the signature overtones of the Jazzmaster and you can always swap it for the traditional trem without modifying the guitar.

 

[gypsyseven]

Just go for a staytrem bridge.

 

[dog fart]

(link removed) might be what you're looking for.

The beauty of this hardtail option is it keeps the string length behind the bridge, providing the signature overtones of the Jazzmaster and you can always swap it for the traditional trem without modifying the guitar.

3B nails it for me. Many thanks!

 

[lineboat]

I did a Hardtail Jaguar, TOM type bridge. Totally different tone than I expected, a lot different from a Jag with a trem, and I used all Jag parts everywhere else. It wasn't a bad thing, just different.

 

[Fearnot]

Those quirky behind-the-bridge ghost tones are a big part of the Jazzmaster's charm. And FWIW, I wasn't much of a trem user before I got my JM. Now I miss it when I play anything else. It's a nice trem.

 

[Danjabellza]

Those quirky behind-the-bridge ghost tones are a big part of the Jazzmaster's charm. And FWIW, I wasn't much of a trem user before I got my JM. Now I miss it when I play anything else. It's a nice trem.

I'll give anything a try. I loved the vibrato on my custom 24(when I had it) but haven't had good luck with any others. I have bigsby now, which has a bit of copper pipe instead of a spring, and have had 2 and 6 screw strats that all eventually got wooden blocks installed.

I might have to build it to Fender specs, and see how I like it. It'll be lighter with all that wood missing...

 

[maggieo]

The JM trem is soooooo good, I can't imagine one without it. I went full Mastery on my ECJM:


Nelvis With Mastery Bridge And Vibrato, May 06, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Nelvis With Mastery Bridge And Vibrato, May 06, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr


Nelvis With Mastery Bridge And Vibrato, May 06, 2015 by Maggie Osterberg, on Flickr

Absolutely pleased as punch with it.

 

[Zepfan]

That is a beaut.

 

[vintage clubber]

I have two of the Squire VM Jazzmasters and I actually installed roller tunematic bridges on them. They work great!

 

[cyclopean]

For me, a hard tail jaguar or jazzmaster isn't a jaguar or jazzmaster.

 

[zippofan]

The Staytrem bridge works great on my son's VM Jag. I've had GAS for a VM Jazzmaster, the first thing I'd install would be the Staytrem bridge if I could.

Z

 

[El Chivo]

I used a Mustang bridge that I got from Warmoth when I did my JM build. Maybe I strum too hard, but the strings are always popping out of the saddles.