Replacement bridge for Squier Jazz

[srayb]

I am thinking of getting a Schaller 2000 bridge, for the ability to adjust string spacing. I like this bridge because it has the exact same mounting holes as the stock bridge on my Squier Jazz, so it's just a quick swap.

Does anyone have opinions on this Schaller bridge? Will it add anything to the sound (sustain, etc.)?

Also does anyone know of any other bridge that has the standard 5-hole Fender mounting and also provides string-spacing adjustment?

Thanks for any help.

[Lo-E]

I like these bridges a lot. Very well made.

I can't say I ever noticed much change in the sound of the bass, but I like the adjustable string spacing.

After you get the spacing where you like it, put a very small drop of clear nail polish on the threads so the saddle doesn't move around on you when you change strings.

[Lambic]

I just put one on my Squier VM Jaguar, but since I didn't have the instrument for a long time before the change, I'm not really able to tell about the sustain. It *has* a lot of sustain now, but that can also be due to the fact that while putting on the Schaller bridge, I noticed that only two of the original screws really stuck at the bottom, so I brought it to a luthier to fix that. Along putting in the heavier Schaller screws (I didn't do that because I feared I might do some damage), he also set the instrument up way better than what I managed to do (including levelling frets and adjusting the truss rod), hence maybe the sustain. He also a kind of complained about the bridge for being so complicated: whatever parameter you want to change, you have to loosen the string quite a lot, and retune (I already knew that from putting on strings myself, but if even a experienced luthier says it...). Otherwise he liked it alot. And so do I.

[Jmac66]

I may need to look into one of these for mine myself. Just got a VM last week and the spacing on the stock bridge looks a little off. The string don't really run center through the pick up poles, the e and a strings are closer to the lower poles, and the d and g strings are closer to the upper poles. Also the are not quite centered on the fretboard, alot more space from the g string to the binding than the e string. Sounds like a bridge like this could fix that

[Turnaround]

Originally Posted by srayb

I am thinking of getting a Schaller 2000 bridge, for the ability to adjust string spacing. I like this bridge because it has the exact same mounting holes as the stock bridge on my Squier Jazz, so it's just a quick swap.

Does anyone have opinions on this Schaller bridge? Will it add anything to the sound (sustain, etc.)?

Also does anyone know of any other bridge that has the standard 5-hole Fender mounting and also provides string-spacing adjustment?

Thanks for any help.

Originally Posted by Jmac66

I may need to look into one of these for mine myself. Just got a VM last week and the spacing on the stock bridge looks a little off. The string don't really run center through the pick up poles, the e and a strings are closer to the lower poles, and the d and g strings are closer to the upper poles. Also the are not quite centered on the fretboard, alot more space from the g string to the binding than the e string. Sounds like a bridge like this could fix that

String alignment over the pickup pole pieces is a typical concern in this forum. So a brief few words on this topic.

1. It's not a big deal
2. It's a detail that should be watched. If it weren't a big deal, then why are the Jazz bass pickups different in width from the neck to the bridge (on some Fender Jazzes)? And why do Fender basses have two poles per pickup if it doesn't matter if the string is centred over them?

And the other question is how should one deal with a bass where the strings are not evenly centred over the fingerboard (i.e. closer to the bass side or the treble side)?

And the answers are:-

1. No it's not a bifg deal in practical terms. You might see the difference if you analysed the signal on an oscilliscope, But you are exceedingly unlikely to hear the difference. And when you add your bass sound to the rest of your band mates, any perception in the difference of output is purely imaginary. PERIOD.

2. OK, theoretically there's a difference if the string is in the centre of the magnetic field or slightly off. The thing is that two magnetic poles will create a much wider magnetic field than one, and it becomes much less critical where the magnetic disturbance is (i.e. the string vibration) than with a focussed single-pole field. So dead-centre between the two poles is not critical.

The visual appeal may be better if the strings are aligned between the poles, but who will notice that? You may when the bass is on a stand, but not while you are playing it. Your audience will never notice unless they are OCD and you remain totally still while playing on stage.

And finally, why would you be concerned if the strings are not centred over the fingerboard? Well this is one area that makes sense to deal with as a player. Clearly the instrument will not play evenly, may be difficult to set up, and it is the easiest problem to correct. And as an added bonus, making the correct adjustment might correct the strings-to-pickup alignment. The problem is that the neck is not properly aligned to the body. Loosen the neck bolt screws about a quarter turn (if you have a neck-through you will have to look at other solutions). Pull the neck (side to side) towards the side that has the largest gap between the string and the edge of the neck. Use a bit of force if necessary - I give it a good yank. When the alignment looks good retighten the neck screws. Job done. Note that a good bump while in its case may cause the alignment to be off again - repeat the procedure (bumps happen - get used to it)

[walterw]

+1 all around.

i do hear a subtle difference when the strings line up right between the magnets, but only when the pickup is pretty close to the strings like i like and when i hit it fairly hard. it seems to add a pinch of natural compression.

as for the schaller, it's a bit "fiddly" to dial in, as you have to loosen the screws on the saddle, at which point the whole thing slides around until you nudge it into place and try to tighten it without moving it off where you wanted it.

once locked down, it's pretty good, though.

still, it's bizarre that 50 years in, this is about the only higher-mass replacement that's both adjustable and a direct fit for fender basses, with the exception of the ol' leo quan (which is still not really "adjustable"; either you get the original and permanently file the string notches, or you get the "II2" and hope that the selection of pre-cut string grooves will give you what you want).

[Jmac66]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

And finally, why would you be concerned if the strings are not centred over the fingerboard? Well this is one area that makes sense to deal with as a player. Clearly the instrument will not play evenly, may be difficult to set up, and it is the easiest problem to correct. And as an added bonus, making the correct adjustment might correct the strings-to-pickup alignment. The problem is that the neck is not properly aligned to the body. Loosen the neck bolt screws about a quarter turn (if you have a neck-through you will have to look at other solutions). Pull the neck (side to side) towards the side that has the largest gap between the string and the edge of the neck. Use a bit of force if necessary - I give it a good yank. When the alignment looks good retighten the neck screws. Job done. Note that a good bump while in its case may cause the alignment to be off again - repeat the procedure (bumps happen - get used to it)

Thank you, did this and strings are centered fine now, and like you said the pole alignment is even better than it was

[walterw]

that little trick has the added side-effect of allowing the string tension to fully press the end of the neck hard against the body pocket, often yielding a slight improvement in tone and sustain. i do it as part of a setup whether the alignment is off or not.

[SurferJoe46]

Soooooooooooooooooooooooo, Whatcha gonna do with the stock bridge?

Just askin', that's all.

[96tbird]

SurferJooooooooooooooooe, I have mine sitting here. I have no plans for it. Just sayin, that's all.

[SurferJoe46]

Weeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeel, If I had an unused but otherwise perfectly good bridge just sittin' around - you know: doin' nuttin' at all - I'd be tempted to want it to be able to fulfill it's divine destiny a-playin' somewhere on sumpthing. Just thinkin' out loud, that's all.

[96tbird]

I Knows, I feeeeeeeelin sorry for her. She needs a home. And unlike the tuners that came off the other end of the VMJ, she's got all her chrome. Realize though that she's a Canadian gurl. But all kinds of "gifts" get sent in the mail every day........Blue skying.

[96tbird]

Originally Posted by Turnaround

..... Note that a good bump while in its case may cause the alignment to be off again - repeat the procedure (bumps happen - get used to it)

A piece of metal screen in the pocket will lock it down nicely.

[SurferJoe46]

Originally Posted by 96tbird

I Knows, I feeeeeeeelin sorry for her. She needs a home. And unlike the tuners that came off the other end of the VMJ, she's got all her chrome. Realize though that she's a Canadian gurl. But all kinds of "gifts" get sent in the mail every day........Blue skying.

Got an idea here - home-wise, that is.

I have a spare bass guitar that is being a-borned right now that might like to have an imported chrome piece on it.

Not that Canadian parts are any better (shocked look) but they have a certain mystique to them, having come from another country and all, ya know?

Does she have papers? Hopefully there's no polar bear teeth marks on her.

[96tbird]

Actually she's Sino-Canadian, mystique up the whazzoo. Permanent resident status, but she hasn't ruled out a move to the seductive sunshine of Cali'. She's never hiked in the bushes and only seen a polar bear at the Winnipeg zoo.

Saaaaaaaaaay, what's this PM button over here do?