Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
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Amber
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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by Amber » Thu Mar 15, 2007 2:38 am

The tornado bridge looks pretty good. Is it as high as the JM and Gibson bridge though? I really don't know where to start with this.

I think I'll be spray the body and headstock a dark navy/purple sparkle colour.

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mjet
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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by mjet » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:05 am

Amber wrote: The tornado bridge looks pretty good. Is it as high as the JM and Gibson bridge though? I really don't know where to start with this.

I think I'll be spray the body and headstock a dark navy/purple sparkle colour.
No. The saddles are pretty much the same type and height as Strat hardtail bridge. The bridgeplate is just shaped differently.
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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by Amber » Thu Mar 15, 2007 6:41 am

Think I'd be best with a Gibson style bridge. Jesus, I really don't know where to start with this.

Would I need a special TOM bridge to work with a JM neck? I have a Tokai 57' strat that I like the feel of. No idea how I'd measure it. I think it's vintage style with small low frets. I'd like it to feel similar.

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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by mjet » Thu Mar 15, 2007 12:14 pm

The main issue is that of neck radius. Most TOM bridges are set at 12" while vintage Fenders are more curved at 7.25".

You can read about neck radius in some detail here on the Warmoth page:

http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/necks/nec ... ion=radius

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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by mynameisjonas » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:00 pm

in my experience the radius mismatch isn´t even an issue, since you need to cut the slots yourself on most TOMs anyway.

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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by Amber » Thu Mar 15, 2007 3:22 pm

Do they make a bridge that would be better suited for me? I'd need it to be lefty (or so it wouldnt matter either way)

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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by mynameisjonas » Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:34 pm

a tune-o-matic will work, you´ll have no problems using it for a lefty with a vintage radius neck.

edit: just for clarity´s sake... you compensate for the flatter radius of the TOM by cutting the slots in the outer saddles a bit deeper than you would if you were using it on a gibson guitar.
Last edited by mynameisjonas on Thu Mar 15, 2007 4:40 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by Amber » Fri Mar 16, 2007 4:17 am

Hmmm, ok. Need to know what to start with now.

Think I'm best starting with the bridge so I can then get the body made to fit the bridge.

Are all TOM bridges the same on eBay? I don't care about condition. Just as long as it works and sounds good and thick!

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Re: Hardtail Jazzmaster Project..

Post by mynameisjonas » Fri Mar 16, 2007 5:00 am

no not all TOMs are the same, there are generally three different types; vintage, modern and nashville. i would probably go with modern or nashville. but you can use any type, since you don´t already have any holes in the body.
these are very good for the money: http://guitarpartsresource.com/gbridge_gotohgibson.htm
and if you want really cheap: http://store.guitarfetish.com/gistbr.html

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