Jaguar Bridge *noob question *

racingsnail84

Joined: Aug 29, 2021
Posts: 84

Posted on May 09 2023 01:33 AM

I just recently got a Jaguar and love it so much… I’m learning a lot of new things about Offsets and their quirks.

One thing I see mentioned all the time is the Bridge being a pain in the ace .

The bridge seems fine on mine but how and when do you know you need it fixed? Is there a better alternative bridge that people like?

Thanks!

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2287
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on May 09 2023 02:40 AM

I think you will know it when you have some problems. Don’t try to fix what is not broken, man)
Is it a threaded Jaguar bridge? I personally do not have any problems with them.
I also got Staytrem on some of my offsets and this is surely a better bridge, but I have other bridges (stock threaded, mustang bridge) ok with them. But yes, Staytrem is sooo good)

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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racingsnail84

Joined: Aug 29, 2021
Posts: 84

Posted on May 09 2023 06:19 AM

Samurai wrote:

I think you will know it when you have some problems. Don’t try to fix what is not broken, man)
Is it a threaded Jaguar bridge? I personally do not have any problems with them.
I also got Staytrem on some of my offsets and this is surely a better bridge, but I have other bridges (stock threaded, mustang bridge) ok with them. But yes, Staytrem is sooo good)

Thanks, friendo !

It’s a 2014 VM Jag bridge and I think it’s holding up fine…. I see some shrink wrap around the posts so I think it must’ve been set up by a pro before I bought it

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Samurai

Joined: Mar 14, 2006
Posts: 2287
Kiev, Ukraine
Ukraine

Posted on May 09 2023 06:48 AM

racingsnail84 wrote:

Samurai wrote:

I think you will know it when you have some problems. Don’t try to fix what is not broken, man)
Is it a threaded Jaguar bridge? I personally do not have any problems with them.
I also got Staytrem on some of my offsets and this is surely a better bridge, but I have other bridges (stock threaded, mustang bridge) ok with them. But yes, Staytrem is sooo good)

Thanks, friendo !

It’s a 2014 VM Jag bridge and I think it’s holding up fine…. I see some shrink wrap around the posts so I think it must’ve been set up by a pro before I bought it

If you search the forum you will find numerous topics discussing this question with all the available options, tips, tricks and opinions) Search works great here and database is really huge. Good luck!

—

Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine

https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki

Lost Diver

https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com
https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin

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rfcii

Joined: Oct 28, 2018
Posts: 186
Quimper Peninsula, WA
United States

Posted on May 09 2023 11:01 AM

My MIJ Jag bridge had the strings popping out of the saddles quite a bit. I replaced it with a Staytrem and it has been great.

My MIM TVL Jazzmaster has a Mustang(?) bridge and it hasn't caused any issues.

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ldk

Joined: Nov 08, 2017
Posts: 369
San Francisco Bay Area
United States

Posted on May 09 2023 12:45 PM

I'll summarize what I think is in all the previous posts on the topic.

Issues are rattling at the bridge, strings moving around on the saddles, and there’s the potential for the bridge to flop all the way backward or forward.

Solutions include the following.
- Heavier springs (.011 and up for high E)
- Shim neck for increased break angle
- Collets around bridge posts to reduce movement and intonation changes
- Buy an aftermarket replacement bridge

—

If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play.
Bringing instruments back to life since 2013.

Last edited: May 09, 2023 12:45:40

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Redfeather

Joined: Jul 30, 2016
Posts: 896
3 Download Pins

Posted on May 09 2023 01:25 PM

I have a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar and I will go on the record saying the stock bridge is indeed a pain in the ace. It was a goofy design from the outset and the poor construction of some models now (Squier) with their loose posts that continuously drop the bridge make it even worse.

All the steps people take to make it work illustrate that it is just a bad design. Leo being cheap, as usual. It should have a rigid bridge with fixed roller saddles.

Fortunately there are options for that. Here's my Jazzmaster with a Wilkinson bridge sitting in there. I haven't done the surgery to swap the proper posts into the body yet. I'm going to add the same thing to my Jaguar with its stupid sinking bridge.

See how nice and smooth every part of this bridge is? Would you rather rest your palm on that or a bunch of cut threads and screws on a stock bridge?

It can also be placed as low on the body as you like. For surf, I think the lower the better so that's how I roll.

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BrentD

Joined: Apr 07, 2009
Posts: 149
Michigan
United States

Posted on May 10 2023 09:37 AM

Redfeather, that looks great. What model of Wilkinson is that?

—

Neptune Trojans

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IceratzSurf

Joined: Oct 22, 2022
Posts: 291
2 Security Pins

Posted on May 10 2023 10:12 AM

I'm a noob
And I have somewhat solved many issues with 2 Jags and one Jazz.
One Jag was a MIM HH which I converted into a 62 single coil and installed a Fender Pro bridge with nylon inserts in thimbles. Perfect!

Squire Jag VM Indo made.
Swapped bridge to an adjustable Mustang type. Poor solution.
The adjustment height screws are noisy.
Others mentioned about the screws projecting and discomfort for palm.
Yup. I ground off the lengths and dropped heads below saddles.
But the fact it has screws compared to other designs is bad.

Jazzmaster VM came equipped with a Mustang type bridge. That is similar to Fender Pro, using different size barrels to create proper neck radius.
9.5

The standard Mustang bridge is 7.25
So for my necks was poor fit.

The dreaded bridge tilt can be minimized with wrapping posts with electric tape for stupid simple fix.
You can leave enough room for the bridge to rock..which it's supposed to do.
Your setup stated there was heat shrink tube used. Same difference.

The Fender Pro is the best IMO.
But I have not invested or tried a Staytrem.
If I were to shell out $$ into a quality offset guitar, I would choose the Mastery complete setup.
But that cost is more than I paid for both Jag and Jazz VM.

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synchro

Joined: Feb 02, 2008
Posts: 4551
Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.
United States

Posted on May 10 2023 05:47 PM

I think that the nylon inserts are a great idea, but not all bridges fit inside them. The bridge on my MIJ Bass VI doesn’t quite fit, so I used electrical tape, ugly, green, electrical tape, but it’s not visible with the bridge in place.

—

The artist formerly known as: Synchro

When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar.

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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »

Jaguar Bridge noob question

racingsnail84 Joined: Aug 29, 2021 Posts: 84	Posted on May 09 2023 01:33 AM I just recently got a Jaguar and love it so much… I’m learning a lot of new things about Offsets and their quirks. One thing I see mentioned all the time is the Bridge being a pain in the ace . The bridge seems fine on mine but how and when do you know you need it fixed? Is there a better alternative bridge that people like? Thanks! Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2287 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on May 09 2023 02:40 AM I think you will know it when you have some problems. Don’t try to fix what is not broken, man) Is it a threaded Jaguar bridge? I personally do not have any problems with them. I also got Staytrem on some of my offsets and this is surely a better bridge, but I have other bridges (stock threaded, mustang bridge) ok with them. But yes, Staytrem is sooo good) — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
racingsnail84 Joined: Aug 29, 2021 Posts: 84	Posted on May 09 2023 06:19 AM Samurai wrote: I think you will know it when you have some problems. Don’t try to fix what is not broken, man) Is it a threaded Jaguar bridge? I personally do not have any problems with them. I also got Staytrem on some of my offsets and this is surely a better bridge, but I have other bridges (stock threaded, mustang bridge) ok with them. But yes, Staytrem is sooo good) Thanks, friendo ! It’s a 2014 VM Jag bridge and I think it’s holding up fine…. I see some shrink wrap around the posts so I think it must’ve been set up by a pro before I bought it Top
Samurai Joined: Mar 14, 2006 Posts: 2287 Kiev, Ukraine	Posted on May 09 2023 06:48 AM racingsnail84 wrote: Samurai wrote: I think you will know it when you have some problems. Don’t try to fix what is not broken, man) Is it a threaded Jaguar bridge? I personally do not have any problems with them. I also got Staytrem on some of my offsets and this is surely a better bridge, but I have other bridges (stock threaded, mustang bridge) ok with them. But yes, Staytrem is sooo good) Thanks, friendo ! It’s a 2014 VM Jag bridge and I think it’s holding up fine…. I see some shrink wrap around the posts so I think it must’ve been set up by a pro before I bought it If you search the forum you will find numerous topics discussing this question with all the available options, tips, tricks and opinions) Search works great here and database is really huge. Good luck! — Waikiki Makaki surf-rock band from Ukraine https://linktr.ee/waikikimakaki Lost Diver https://lostdiver.bandcamp.com https://soundcloud.com/vitaly-yakushin Top
rfcii Joined: Oct 28, 2018 Posts: 186 Quimper Peninsula, WA	Posted on May 09 2023 11:01 AM My MIJ Jag bridge had the strings popping out of the saddles quite a bit. I replaced it with a Staytrem and it has been great. My MIM TVL Jazzmaster has a Mustang(?) bridge and it hasn't caused any issues. Top
ldk Joined: Nov 08, 2017 Posts: 369 San Francisco Bay Area	Posted on May 09 2023 12:45 PM I'll summarize what I think is in all the previous posts on the topic. Issues are rattling at the bridge, strings moving around on the saddles, and there’s the potential for the bridge to flop all the way backward or forward. Solutions include the following. - Heavier springs (.011 and up for high E) - Shim neck for increased break angle - Collets around bridge posts to reduce movement and intonation changes - Buy an aftermarket replacement bridge — If I'd stop buying old guitars to fix, I might actually learn to play. Bringing instruments back to life since 2013. Last edited: May 09, 2023 12:45:40 Top
Redfeather Joined: Jul 30, 2016 Posts: 896	Posted on May 09 2023 01:25 PM I have a Jazzmaster and a Jaguar and I will go on the record saying the stock bridge is indeed a pain in the ace. It was a goofy design from the outset and the poor construction of some models now (Squier) with their loose posts that continuously drop the bridge make it even worse. All the steps people take to make it work illustrate that it is just a bad design. Leo being cheap, as usual. It should have a rigid bridge with fixed roller saddles. Fortunately there are options for that. Here's my Jazzmaster with a Wilkinson bridge sitting in there. I haven't done the surgery to swap the proper posts into the body yet. I'm going to add the same thing to my Jaguar with its stupid sinking bridge. See how nice and smooth every part of this bridge is? Would you rather rest your palm on that or a bunch of cut threads and screws on a stock bridge? It can also be placed as low on the body as you like. For surf, I think the lower the better so that's how I roll. Top
BrentD Joined: Apr 07, 2009 Posts: 149 Michigan	Posted on May 10 2023 09:37 AM Redfeather, that looks great. What model of Wilkinson is that? — Neptune Trojans Top
IceratzSurf Joined: Oct 22, 2022 Posts: 291	Posted on May 10 2023 10:12 AM I'm a noob And I have somewhat solved many issues with 2 Jags and one Jazz. One Jag was a MIM HH which I converted into a 62 single coil and installed a Fender Pro bridge with nylon inserts in thimbles. Perfect! Squire Jag VM Indo made. Swapped bridge to an adjustable Mustang type. Poor solution. The adjustment height screws are noisy. Others mentioned about the screws projecting and discomfort for palm. Yup. I ground off the lengths and dropped heads below saddles. But the fact it has screws compared to other designs is bad. Jazzmaster VM came equipped with a Mustang type bridge. That is similar to Fender Pro, using different size barrels to create proper neck radius. 9.5 The standard Mustang bridge is 7.25 So for my necks was poor fit. The dreaded bridge tilt can be minimized with wrapping posts with electric tape for stupid simple fix. You can leave enough room for the bridge to rock..which it's supposed to do. Your setup stated there was heat shrink tube used. Same difference. The Fender Pro is the best IMO. But I have not invested or tried a Staytrem. If I were to shell out $$ into a quality offset guitar, I would choose the Mastery complete setup. But that cost is more than I paid for both Jag and Jazz VM. Top
synchro Joined: Feb 02, 2008 Posts: 4551 Not One-Sawn, but Two-Sawn . . . AZ.	Posted on May 10 2023 05:47 PM I think that the nylon inserts are a great idea, but not all bridges fit inside them. The bridge on my MIJ Bass VI doesn’t quite fit, so I used electrical tape, ugly, green, electrical tape, but it’s not visible with the bridge in place. — The artist formerly known as: Synchro When Surf Guitar is outlawed only outlaws will play Surf Guitar. Top