Talk about the Fender Jazzmaster, Jaguar, and any other offset waist guitars with us!
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https://www.offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=111338
My impression is that the repair attempted to make the best of the break, and the only screw that looks 'off', was actually positioned where it was positioned so that it wouldn't touch the signpost. I'm guessing black anodized screws weren't a thing when it was done.
When it's up close and in hand, I would say it was done before 1970, probably earlier. Somebody had a really bad day when that break occurred! It definitely wasn't done in a cutting age repair shop, though they put some serious effort into it. But yeah, it gives it a story and I've always been content to leave it. I've had four old Gretsches by now and not one yet that didn't have a broken (or replaced) pick guardBobL wrote: ↑Wed Mar 13, 2019 6:43 amMy impression is that the repair attempted to make the best of the break, and the only screw that looks 'off', was actually positioned where it was positioned so that it wouldn't touch the signpost. I'm guessing black anodized screws weren't a thing when it was done.
I'm in the 'that adds some cool character!' camp.
Tru Arc sells a bridge called the serpentine bridge that is a compensated bar bridge. I think around $150.Squirrel wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 3:25 pmThanks! I love the Astro Jet too, mine was a bit of an impulse purchase but I was surprised at just how incredible it plays and sounds. If you want one but want to pay less than a grand, NOS Astro Jet bodies turn up regularly on ebay for not much money. A lot of people have turned them into really cool guitars, plus you could route it for a Mastery trem with total impugnity.Mechanical Birds wrote: ↑Tue Mar 12, 2019 2:45 pmI really, really love the look of those Astro Jet guitars. I wish I could find one for like a grand but they, like every piece of gear I dream about owning, have moved well beyond any price I’d be able to pay. They look so, so awesome though and if I somehow did end up with one I wouldn’t hesitate to route out some space for a Mastery trem. They’re killer.
The bridges on the other ones in this post though look insane? Like just a thin piece of metal that looks like you literally can’t set intonation, or am I wrong? I know there was a point in time where every guitar didn’t inexplicably have a Tun-o-matic, like right now, but still that ‘bridge’ looks like it would just suck in about every possible way. What’s the deal there if anybody wouldn’t mind schooling me a little
Yeah, the bar bridge doesn't have adjustable intonation which kinda sucks. You're basically stuck using a wound G, which was the norm at the time. On the plus side though, it's actually a thick, solid piece of metal (the original ones from the '60s are chrome plated brass, I think) so the notes ring out really nicely. Also like a Jazzmaster bridge it rocks back and forth on its base which helps the tuning stability.
I agree, it's like the guitar version of Kintsugi.i love sharin foo wrote: ↑Sun Mar 10, 2019 3:07 pmIt was actually done about 50 years ago. It adds a lot of history for me and I wouldn't consider changing it.
See you on Saturday!
Thanks! It was your red Gretsch that pushed me over the over decision making edge.
Ha! I am glad to have helped outfuzzjunkie wrote: ↑Thu Mar 21, 2019 5:53 pmThanks! It was your red Gretsch that pushed me over the over decision making edge.
Gretsch Blue Falcon by Matt Shanks, on Flickr
