OffsetGuitars.com

Does any body know if there was any evolution in bridge from 1959 to 70´s? Especially a change that affected the sound? I am on a hunt for a vintagejag / jazzmaster bridge for my jag and not sure if and when Fender made a change. In other words till what year is the bridge of same quality as pre-cbs? Thanks mates.
I just know that Fender experimented with more fine threads on the first 2 strings (e,h) in around 1962, but that is not important.

I don’t think they changed. They are all hit and miss. I’ve had some that worked well for what they are with the usual setup techniques and others that were not great at all and from the same year approx! I think it’s more design flaws than actual quality of materials or manufacturing.

Marc wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:29 am

I don’t think they changed. They are all hit and miss. I’ve had some that worked well for what they are with the usual setup techniques and others that were not great at all and from the same year approx! I think it’s more design flaws than actual quality of materials or manufacturing.

So you think the material was the same over the 60´s and 70´s years? If so, only problem could be worn out threads or an extremely buzzing piece.

I doubt they changed supplier or materials. Blue loctite can help with the rattles and obviously setting the bridge high and the neck shimmed.

Marc wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 06, 2024 12:31 pm

I doubt they changed supplier or materials. Blue loctite can help with the rattles and obviously setting the bridge high and the neck shimmed.

Sounds good. So if it rattles you would use blue loctile for all 12 small legs threads right? I didn´t know that those are the little legs that are source of the rattle. I had a mustang bridge too which is without legs and it rattles too. Or you mean perpahs the 6 threads that hold each metal barrel in the tuning position?

I also wrapped insulation tape around the two bridge posts that sit in the thimbles. This helps. It makes a tighter fit but still allows the bridge to rock.

I never bother with this anymore and just use a Staytrem bridge. If you look at pro players using vintage models hardly anyone uses the original bridge. It’s just too much hassle.

-

Guitarman555 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 01, 2024 1:25 pm

I just know that Fender experimented with more fine threads on the first 2 strings (e,h) in around 1962, but that is not important.

Finer threads were part of the original design, as far as I know. Not sure when they changed it, but around 62 seems about right.
The only other difference I have seen is in the area where you can access the screws in the bridge posts. Older bridges have more rounded, dome-shaped openings, while the later ones are flatter.

Thanks for this information guys.

Marc wrote: ↑

Sat Jan 06, 2024 1:29 am

I don’t think they changed. They are all hit and miss. I’ve had some that worked well for what they are with the usual setup techniques and others that were not great at all and from the same year approx! I think it’s more design flaws than actual quality of materials or manufacturing.

So material/soumd should stay the same till 1980 right?

level3 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 08, 2024 4:18 am

The only other difference I have seen is in the area where you can access the screws in the bridge posts. Older bridges have more rounded, dome-shaped openings, while the later ones are flatter.

Yep, this is correct.

Original bridge design with domed holes:


Later design with no dome:

GreenKnee wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2024 1:22 am

level3 wrote: ↑

Mon Jan 08, 2024 4:18 am

The only other difference I have seen is in the area where you can access the screws in the bridge posts. Older bridges have more rounded, dome-shaped openings, while the later ones are flatter.

Yep, this is correct.

Original bridge design with domed holes:


Later design with no dome:

Many thanks bro. I am thinking about purchase of this one, seller told me late 70's, so can mean 79 or 80..

Guitarman555 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:25 am

What year is your Jag from?
There isn't much point in paying a premium for that bridge you're looking because a modern repro will look like that after a couple of years of hard use anyway.
The only time I'd pay a premium for a vintage bridge is for one of the original ones with the domes and then only if it was to restore a guitar to original spec.

GreenKnee wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:37 am

Guitarman555 wrote: ↑

Sun Mar 03, 2024 2:25 am

What year is your Jag from?
There isn't much point in paying a premium for that bridge you're looking because a modern repro will look like that after a couple of years of hard use anyway.
The only time I'd pay a premium for a vintage bridge is for one of the original ones with the domes and then only if it was to restore a guitar to original spec.

New production sounds to my ear very different to the old bridges. I searching it for my 64 jag, I am not a collector but old vintage bridges sound to my ears much better than the reissues. It is probably because the material is of course different now adays. Btw this bridge below is 1964?

At the end of the day whether vintage or a reissue they are all a bit janky. If you can hear a difference then go for it.