Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

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J_Man
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Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by J_Man » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:21 am

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!

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by Jaguar018 » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:52 am

I think a lot of people address this with a neck shim.

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by Larry Mal » Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:58 am

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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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by Danley » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:01 am

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.
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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by Embenny » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:16 am

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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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by J_Man » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:19 am

Jaguar018 wrote:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 6:52 am
I think a lot of people address this with a neck shim.
The Am Pro Jaguars have a better neck angle than the vintage spec ones; the bridge starts out about 1/4" above the pickguard with a good angle to the tailpiece, but thank you for the advice.

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by J_Man » Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:25 am

mbene085 wrote:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 7:16 am
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).
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.

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by jorri » Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:30 pm

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'.

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by J_Man » Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:43 pm

jorri wrote:
Fri Apr 17, 2020 1:30 pm
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'.
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.

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by adamrobertt » Fri Apr 17, 2020 2:09 pm

I do .010'' relief on all my guitars and it usually works out for me. Fenders and Gibsons.

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Re: Jaguar Setup: Fender or Gibson Specs?

Post by jorri » Fri Apr 17, 2020 3:41 pm

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.

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