Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

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ShortyMedlock
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Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Tue May 30, 2023 12:29 pm

Alright...

I need a 52mm spaced bridge and a trem setup for my Jazzmaster project.

Right now I have a Fender Japan trem in the body. This I stole from my Jaguar project.

The string spacing measured just south of 52mm.

The Mustang bridge I have is 55mm and the E strings will sit on the edge of the neck I have.

So I need a suggestion for a bridge and trem. No $185 bits are in the budget. All I have are genuine Fender which seem nice.

I have seen a Fender bridge with a 52mm spacing but I would like to see your opinions.

I am not a hard player...surf, oldies and early country are in my wheelhouse.

Thanks

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JSett
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by JSett » Tue May 30, 2023 12:37 pm

If you don't play hard and know to shim the neck correctly then you could likely get away with a traditional JM bridge.

Otherwise, a Staytrem is the most cost effective solution that matches closest to what you want.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

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ShortyMedlock
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Tue May 30, 2023 12:50 pm

Ok... I like the Fender Japan I have now...lets see what else folks suggest


BTW my neck radius is 10 degrees... I can shim the bridge if needed but I would rather not.

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ShortyMedlock
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Tue May 30, 2023 2:51 pm

I meant shim the E saddles on a bridge made for a 7 1/2 radius neck. Mine is 10 degree...

Kinda wish I had bought a 7 1/2" neck... my favorite radius.

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GilmourD
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by GilmourD » Tue May 30, 2023 5:22 pm

ShortyMedlock wrote:
Tue May 30, 2023 12:50 pm
Ok... I like the Fender Japan I have now...lets see what else folks suggest


BTW my neck radius is 10 degrees... I can shim the bridge if needed but I would rather not.
So it's a 10 inch radius? What's the neck from? 9.5" and 10" are close enough that you can get away with a 9.5" radius bridge and MAYBE only need to put thin shims under the E's.

As such, I'm gonna link you to a dealer on Reverb that I've bought a ton of stuff off of recently for offset projects but I'm not associated with them otherwise. Their prices are pretty darn low to begin with and then, more often than not, if you favorite an item you'll get an offer of an even lower price if you just chill on it for a day.

Genuine Fender American Pro Jaguar/Jazzmaster Bridge Assembly

Genuine Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster USA Vintage '62 Tailpiece Tremolo - Chrome

Genuine Fender Vintage USA Jaguar/Jazzmaster Tremolo Arm Trem Whammy Bar CHROME

Then pick yourself a trem arm tip, depending on your color scheme.

Genuine Pure Vintage Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Tip, Pure Vintage White

Genuine Fender Stratocaster/Strat Guitar Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips, Parchment (2)

Genuine Fender Stratocaster Strat BLACK Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2

Genuine Fender Strat Stratocaster WHITE Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2Genuine Fender Strat Stratocaster WHITE Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2

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Johnny Alien
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by Johnny Alien » Tue May 30, 2023 6:57 pm

Within budget there are not a ton of options. You can get 52mm spacing and 9.5" radius (close enough) bridges from Staytrem and Fender. Staytrem is a great choice but you are looking at 4-5 months wait time these day. That leaves the Fender which is also a great bridge. Its the professional one which I think is the first link in the previous post.

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GilmourD
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by GilmourD » Wed May 31, 2023 4:00 am

Johnny Alien wrote:
Tue May 30, 2023 6:57 pm
Within budget there are not a ton of options. You can get 52mm spacing and 9.5" radius (close enough) bridges from Staytrem and Fender. Staytrem is a great choice but you are looking at 4-5 months wait time these day. That leaves the Fender which is also a great bridge. Its the professional one which I think is the first link in the previous post.
Yep, that Fender one is the one I bought.

I mean... If the budget is super tight, there are Classic Vibe bridges to be found.

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ShortyMedlock
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Wed May 31, 2023 5:45 pm

GilmourD wrote:
Tue May 30, 2023 5:22 pm
ShortyMedlock wrote:
Tue May 30, 2023 12:50 pm
Ok... I like the Fender Japan I have now...lets see what else folks suggest


BTW my neck radius is 10 degrees... I can shim the bridge if needed but I would rather not.
So it's a 10 inch radius? What's the neck from? 9.5" and 10" are close enough that you can get away with a 9.5" radius bridge and MAYBE only need to put thin shims under the E's.

As such, I'm gonna link you to a dealer on Reverb that I've bought a ton of stuff off of recently for offset projects but I'm not associated with them otherwise. Their prices are pretty darn low to begin with and then, more often than not, if you favorite an item you'll get an offer of an even lower price if you just chill on it for a day.

Genuine Fender American Pro Jaguar/Jazzmaster Bridge Assembly

Genuine Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster USA Vintage '62 Tailpiece Tremolo - Chrome

Genuine Fender Vintage USA Jaguar/Jazzmaster Tremolo Arm Trem Whammy Bar CHROME

Then pick yourself a trem arm tip, depending on your color scheme.

Genuine Pure Vintage Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Tip, Pure Vintage White

Genuine Fender Stratocaster/Strat Guitar Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips, Parchment (2)

Genuine Fender Stratocaster Strat BLACK Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2

Genuine Fender Strat Stratocaster WHITE Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2Genuine Fender Strat Stratocaster WHITE Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2
Both of my offset necks are import aftermarket. Just a tad narrow for a 55mm bridge.

I think I found an import bridge that will work. 52mm. I will get it later this week and give you guys a full report.

Those Fender bridges are nice but are $100 with the inserts...don't have that today.

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GilmourD
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by GilmourD » Wed May 31, 2023 7:12 pm

ShortyMedlock wrote:
Wed May 31, 2023 5:45 pm
GilmourD wrote:
Tue May 30, 2023 5:22 pm
ShortyMedlock wrote:
Tue May 30, 2023 12:50 pm
Ok... I like the Fender Japan I have now...lets see what else folks suggest


BTW my neck radius is 10 degrees... I can shim the bridge if needed but I would rather not.
So it's a 10 inch radius? What's the neck from? 9.5" and 10" are close enough that you can get away with a 9.5" radius bridge and MAYBE only need to put thin shims under the E's.

As such, I'm gonna link you to a dealer on Reverb that I've bought a ton of stuff off of recently for offset projects but I'm not associated with them otherwise. Their prices are pretty darn low to begin with and then, more often than not, if you favorite an item you'll get an offer of an even lower price if you just chill on it for a day.

Genuine Fender American Pro Jaguar/Jazzmaster Bridge Assembly

Genuine Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster USA Vintage '62 Tailpiece Tremolo - Chrome

Genuine Fender Vintage USA Jaguar/Jazzmaster Tremolo Arm Trem Whammy Bar CHROME

Then pick yourself a trem arm tip, depending on your color scheme.

Genuine Pure Vintage Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Tip, Pure Vintage White

Genuine Fender Stratocaster/Strat Guitar Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips, Parchment (2)

Genuine Fender Stratocaster Strat BLACK Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2

Genuine Fender Strat Stratocaster WHITE Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2Genuine Fender Strat Stratocaster WHITE Tremolo/Trem Arm Tips - Pack of 2
Both of my offset necks are import aftermarket. Just a tad narrow for a 55mm bridge.

I think I found an import bridge that will work. 52mm. I will get it later this week and give you guys a full report.

Those Fender bridges are nice but are $100 with the inserts...don't have that today.
Yeah, none of the stuff I mentioned is 55mm. It's 52mm. Budget is why I also said you could pick up a Classic Vibe bridge.

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Horsefeather
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by Horsefeather » Thu Jun 01, 2023 12:12 am

This bridge is a great option. It's 52.5 mm, allows you to adjust the radius via shims, and actually does what Fender always wished the stock bridge would do. And it's totally cheap!

Wilkinson Roller

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ShortyMedlock
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:41 am

But it doesn't rock like the OEM design...

I looked at those... bought a couple Strat pickups from GF.

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GilmourD
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by GilmourD » Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:43 am

ShortyMedlock wrote:
Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:41 am
But it doesn't rock like the OEM design...

I looked at those... bought a couple Strat pickups from GF.
Which bridge did you order?

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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Fri Jun 02, 2023 3:41 pm

GilmourD wrote:
Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:43 am
ShortyMedlock wrote:
Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:41 am
But it doesn't rock like the OEM design...

I looked at those... bought a couple Strat pickups from GF.
Which bridge did you order?
Found a small ebay seller with a FuManChu bridge with 52mm string spacing made for a 9.5 radius neck. It was cheap enough to try without sending me into object poverty.

I will find out if it was the right buy...just a stopgap measure for now.

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GilmourD
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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by GilmourD » Fri Jun 02, 2023 4:39 pm

ShortyMedlock wrote:
Fri Jun 02, 2023 3:41 pm
GilmourD wrote:
Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:43 am
ShortyMedlock wrote:
Thu Jun 01, 2023 9:41 am
But it doesn't rock like the OEM design...

I looked at those... bought a couple Strat pickups from GF.
Which bridge did you order?
Found a small ebay seller with a FuManChu bridge with 52mm string spacing made for a 9.5 radius neck. It was cheap enough to try without sending me into object poverty.

I will find out if it was the right buy...just a stopgap measure for now.
Got a link? I peruse eBay looking to pick up bits and bobs just in case (which is how I ended up with a Classic Partscaster Jazzmaster...) but everything ends up being 9.5" 55mm or 7.25" 52mm, but not 9.5" 52mm.

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Re: Jazzmaster bridge and vibrato choice

Post by ShortyMedlock » Sat Jun 03, 2023 1:08 pm

Well so much for 52mm...this one measures 56mm!!!

Came from seller Dlaval...not a bad looking deal. Not real heavy but it has a black powercoat that is nice.

Now I have another spare...

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