Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
- J_Man
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Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
Hi all,
I've done some searching, and I have a question: does one set up a Jaguar to Fender specs (.010 relief, 4/64 bass 4/64 treble action at 15th fret), or to Gibson specs (.012 relief, 5/64 bass 3/64 treble action at 12th fret) because of the short scale? Or does one use a hybrid setup? How much does scale affect the string tension in this case, and does a bolt-on neck mean something different for neck relief on a short-scale neck?
I have one of the Am Pro Jaguars (which is the best sounding instrument I've ever owned) and I find that I like the treble side a little lower than 4/64, just for feel, but that big bends fret out even on the 9.5 radius neck with the action set any lower. I set the bass action at a tick above 4/64 and there's no string rattle with .010 neck relief. It's kind of like how I set up a Gibson-style guitar, but I can get away with a straighter neck because it's bolt-on. I ask because I think the action feels a bit high, certainly higher than the strats and teles I've played, which I think can tolerate a nice low action because of higher string tension. But lower action isn't giving me the playability I'm used to. What are some of your approaches to this?
Thanks!
I've done some searching, and I have a question: does one set up a Jaguar to Fender specs (.010 relief, 4/64 bass 4/64 treble action at 15th fret), or to Gibson specs (.012 relief, 5/64 bass 3/64 treble action at 12th fret) because of the short scale? Or does one use a hybrid setup? How much does scale affect the string tension in this case, and does a bolt-on neck mean something different for neck relief on a short-scale neck?
I have one of the Am Pro Jaguars (which is the best sounding instrument I've ever owned) and I find that I like the treble side a little lower than 4/64, just for feel, but that big bends fret out even on the 9.5 radius neck with the action set any lower. I set the bass action at a tick above 4/64 and there's no string rattle with .010 neck relief. It's kind of like how I set up a Gibson-style guitar, but I can get away with a straighter neck because it's bolt-on. I ask because I think the action feels a bit high, certainly higher than the strats and teles I've played, which I think can tolerate a nice low action because of higher string tension. But lower action isn't giving me the playability I'm used to. What are some of your approaches to this?
Thanks!
- Jaguar018
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
I think a lot of people address this with a neck shim.
- Larry Mal
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
I think you are going to have to approach it as its own thing. I would just rough the specs in to what Fender recommends and then fine tune from there.
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- Danley
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
If you're fretting out anywhere with 1/16" action at the 12th fret, I think something's wrong. I have 7" radius Jaguars and Mustangs that don't do that - and can have lower action than that. I might have a tech. check out the fretwork, if it's a new guitar might be worth invoking the warranty/contacting the retailer if it turns out to need work.
I don't think a shim will make a difference, if you already have a limit on how low the action can go based on bends fretting out.
I don't think a shim will make a difference, if you already have a limit on how low the action can go based on bends fretting out.
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- Embenny
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
Yeah, I'd be checking for a high fret in need of a levelling, etc - there is no issue inherent to jaguars that necessitates modifying your action. I have vintage jags that I can bend to my heart's content on without fretting out, "despite" being 7.25" radius etc (I say "despite" because it's also a myth that a tight radius means issues bending).
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- J_Man
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- J_Man
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
You may be right - if you are familiar with the modified mustang saddles on the Professional, the radius doesn't perfectly match the fretboard - B string is a bit low even with the high E set to 4/64ths. it's the B that frets out. I set it up with 9's so I may be bending a little too aggressively anyway.mbene085 wrote: ↑Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:16 amYeah, I'd be checking for a high fret in need of a levelling, etc - there is no issue inherent to jaguars that necessitates modifying your action. I have vintage jags that I can bend to my heart's content on without fretting out, "despite" being 7.25" radius etc (I say "despite" because it's also a myth that a tight radius means issues bending).
- jorri
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
To answer original question, it's entirely advisory, and shouldn't be that different except for personal preference.
Radius shouldn't determine action and relief that much...
So Fender specs can be 6/64 or 4/64 and 008-012 especially if you happened on a vintage manual.
I think it plays better having the bass side higher. Always...
The scale will reduce tension about as much as half a step down tuning, because its a Fret less. Consult a tension calculator but usually just under 'one string guage'.
Radius shouldn't determine action and relief that much...
So Fender specs can be 6/64 or 4/64 and 008-012 especially if you happened on a vintage manual.
I think it plays better having the bass side higher. Always...
The scale will reduce tension about as much as half a step down tuning, because its a Fret less. Consult a tension calculator but usually just under 'one string guage'.
- J_Man
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
Thanks! I also find that a little higher bass action on the short scale works best to reduce fret rattle. And after a whole day messing around, I got the treble just right too. I stopped using a ruler and used my ears. Bingo. Cranked out a little more relief, it measures at .011, which is great.
- adamrobertt
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
I do .010'' relief on all my guitars and it usually works out for me. Fenders and Gibsons.
- jorri
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?
Always changing but have 009 truss and 076-092 (under 5/64-6/64?). I've had higher action and truss at 12,just felt like it recently. Minimum that ever worked was maybe 4/64-5/64 but nah, I kind of like jazz feel and slides.