New Bridge for Jag

bluesavageraff · #1 07-25-2009, 01:12 PM

I love my Jag, but the bridge is subpar. The strings slip from the grooves and I get a lot of buzz when I dig in.

I'm looking for something with similar looks that isn't too much trouble to install. Also, I get a lot of neck dive so I think something high mass would be a good idea. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

JoeyZ · #2 07-25-2009, 03:18 PM

Leo Quan Badass.

bluesavageraff · #3 07-25-2009, 11:53 PM

Yeah, I've heard the BADASS is great, but don't you have to file it?

Grissle · #4 07-26-2009, 04:09 PM

+1 on the BA but their getting tough to find, but Gotoh and Schaller are great alternatives too. And the only filing to do on a BA is making a small notch/groove, pretty simple so let don't let it put you off if you want one.

walterw · #5 07-26-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluesavageraff

I love my Jag, but the bridge is subpar. The strings slip from the grooves and I get a lot of buzz when I dig in.

I'm looking for something with similar looks that isn't too much trouble to install. Also, I get a lot of neck dive so I think something high mass would be a good idea. Any suggestions would be much appreciated. Thanks.

those threaded rod bridges are actually really nice when set up right. the strings should spread out a little from the bridge holes, so that the outer saddles get held against the inner ones, eliminating any rattling. (this also lets the string line up between the jazz pickup's magnets.)

as for neck dive, a heavier bridge might help a little, but lightweight tuners would help a lot.

Low Main · #6 07-26-2009, 05:18 PM

Everything Walter said +1.

Gotoh also makes two nice inexpensive bridges, I think the 201 and 203. But the saddle notches on those may not help the strings line up over the polepieces without some tilting of the saddles as you set the string height.

Also nice is the Hipshot vintage bent-metal bridge, which features a quick-load slotted tail.

But I like the bridges with threaded saddles that Walter mentioned most of all.

You can buy the saddles and put them on your existing bridge.

blendermassacre · #7 07-26-2009, 05:27 PM

I had a BAII on my fretless jazz that i got rid of. It wasn't filed, and there weren't any problems.

walterw · #8 07-26-2009, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blendermassacre

I had a BAII on my fretless jazz that i got rid of. It wasn't filed, and there weren't any problems.

sure, it will "work" with un-notched saddles, but when notched properly, the string stops sliding around and will actually sound better.

BassJunkie730 · #9 07-26-2009, 08:02 PM

+1 hipshot vintage bent bridge.

I had it on my Jag. Never even bothered with the stock bridge.

bluesavageraff · #10 07-26-2009, 08:03 PM

What does everyones means by "quickload"?

Jo6Pak · #11 07-27-2009, 06:48 AM

BAII bridges: I've used them both slotted and not. Worked well for me either way. As mentioned, these are becoming rare/expensive.

Quickload: Term generally used to describe a method of string mounting other than feeding it thru a small hole, similar to threading a needle.

Hipshot Vintage: I like and use these too. Be advised the latest version is still 'quickload', but no longer has the string cutouts on top. Instead, the rear holes are now larger to accomodate installation/removal at the ball-end. I wouldn't exactly call it 'high-mass'.

Gotoh 201: Tried this, but the base plate was too thick to allow me to set the action as low as I wanted. Be prepared to shim the neck (possibly).

JulienJeff · #12 07-27-2009, 06:53 AM

I have a BAII on my jag and it's great !
it is not filled since I installed it, one year ago. I'll make it filled by the luthier next week (together with pickups change)

bluesavageraff · #13 07-27-2009, 07:48 PM

I've been looking at the Gotoh 201. I like the looks and the price. Any thoughts?