SGF
Man at store: "Some rubber band and some vaseline please."

"It's for my Jaguar."

If he thinks it's for a big cat instead of a car, he'll really look at you funny.

LHR
My choices were to file a slot on the back of the bridge or dispense with the Buzz Stop. So I took off the Buzz Stop.

Okay. I'm no rocket surgeon, but...
Looking at the pix on http://www.northcoastmusic.com/buzzstop/ it seems pretty symmetrical. Would it still work if you simply mounted it backwards? (ie the roller is closer to the tail) That would reduce the slope of the strings to something part way between the Buzz Stop installed normally and with no Buzz Stop at all.

Or would that interfere with the tremolo arm or the lock knob?

Also, reducing that angle would be partially defeating it's intended purpose, I guess.

I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.

I changed the bridge to my 65 jaguar to a mustang style bridge,not 4 the string movin,but 'couse the saddles springs lowered the bridge as you play.Then nail glue +attention---mustang bridge-problems gone!
cheers Bruno Wet-Tones

brock
I think a high quality setup is the most important thing though...

I agree...when my Jazzmaster was returned from the luthier...man, it was absolutely smooth sounding, and played ike magic....same for my p-bass...
a trip to the luthier can really make all the difference in the world...

I also sold my three buzz-stops two years ago... For me they killed the sexy design of Jag or Jazz. And, yes, with a buzz-stop its like an other guitar. I didnt like the unnatural tension of the strings... And, yes, sometimes I couldnt use the trem arm in the way I liked ?cause of the buzz-stop. So you can call it buzz&trem-stop!? ![Smile](/media/smiley/images/smile.gif "Smile") I played old Jags and Jazzs with original bridge and it was perfect as it should be. Even every Jag or Jazz is a little different. Therefore this nice threads here will never end I guess.
Twang cheers to everybody!
Ralf Kilauea

Twang cheers!

Ralf Kilauea

www.kilaueas.de

https://kilaueas.bandcamp.com/album/touch-my-alien

BLeacH
I read that seran wrap works great to keep the screws from moving, just take the screws out then trim of the tip of the screw so it's hidden, im not sure how many ply.

While that might work, it sounds like a colossal pain in the butt. Some super glue gel (or Loc-Tite) to mess up the threads would do fine.

BLeacH
BTW does anyone know how to install (or how it connects) a bridge cover on a stock MIJ lefty (looks symmetrical to a righty) jag?

It snaps on and stays by way of a friction fit. However, you will not be able to palm mute with it in place! This is surf guitar you are playing, no?

SSIV

I also took the Buzz Stop off my Jazzmaster. Altered the tone drastically and messed with the normally great Trem action. Put on a mustang bridge but still not happy with that, any suggestions
www.myspace.com/thethunderheads

www.myspace.com/thethunderheads

It is an American '62 Reisssue in Sunburst. I added the Gold Guard to Replicate a '59. I always loved the Burst and Gold Combo! If I could just get this bridge issue squared away.
www.myspace.com/thethunderheads

www.myspace.com/thethunderheads

Put the Buzz Stop back on! There's a reason they've sold thousands of them!

I'll never use the Buzz Stop again. I put heat shrink around the original bridge post and now it's great. Once the stock bridge was stabilized it all came together for me. I use .011 DR's for Surf and Instro. and the original bridge w/ the long string length behind it is what I'm after in an Offset Guitar. No rattles, string jumps or other issues.

www.myspace.com/thethunderheads

JakeDobner

elreydlp
Put the Buzz Stop back on! There's a reason they've sold thousands of them!

Because people can't set up their guitars.

Excellent response, Jake!

FWIW, I concur 100%

Jags and Jazzmasters are VERY responsive to a good setup and it takes some time and effort to set one up properly and get the intonation spot on. I like the Eddie Katcher trick of adding a .75-1.0 mm neck shim and slightly raising the bridge to compensate. This increases the string tension over the bridge without affecting the tone like a buzz stop does and the action can still set as low as you like, if that is your thing. I seem to get a better sound with a slightly higher than usual action.

Also, slightly notching the bridge saddles (vintage or AVRI...the Japanese saddles are total crap) with a triangular jeweler's file keeps the strings in place just fine regardless of how heavy-handed a player you are. I much prefer the adjustability of the stock bridge over a Mustang, but a lot of you guys seem to like them. Different strokes, and all that.

Bottom line: Whatever works for you is cool...even though a buzzstop is, IMO, just a band-aid for a problem that can be easily solved in other (and less expensive) ways.

Jack Booth
(aka WoodyJ)

The Mariners (1964-68, 1996-2005)
The Hula Hounds (1996-current)
The X-Rays (1997-2004)
The Surge! (2004, 2011-2012)
Various non-surf bands that actually made money (1978-1990)