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Bridge for MIM Jazz for functionality, not tone or sustain

superhand

superhand

Sep 14, 2009
173
0
Fresno, CA
#1
I am looking for a good drop in bridge for my MIM Jazz. I am not concerned about getting more sustain or better tone, I just want something that is more solid than the stock bridge, and I don't want the saddles to slide around.

So far I like the Gotoh 201. Any other suggestions? I don't want to spend more than about $30.
 
#2
get the vintage threaded rod saddles. they won't slide around, because they're designed to let the outer strings push the saddles together, holding everything tight. they'll also let you adjust string spacing to put the strings between the pickup magnets like they're supposed to be. plus, they're cheap.
247961.jpg
 
#5
walterw said:
get the vintage threaded rod saddles. they won't slide around, because they're designed to let the outer strings push the saddles together, holding everything tight. they'll also let you adjust string spacing to put the strings between the pickup magnets like they're supposed to be. plus, they're cheap.
247961.jpg
Click to expand...

I don't get those threaded rod saddles. When I see those the first thing I think is that it is going to cause the string to break from the threads digging into the string. Are you supposed to file a groove in the saddle where you want it? Or do you just place the string where you want it to go as you tighten the string?
 
#9
superhand said:
I don't get those threaded rod saddles. When I see those the first thing I think is that it is going to cause the string to break from the threads digging into the string. Are you supposed to file a groove in the saddle where you want it? Or do you just place the string where you want it to go as you tighten the string?
Click to expand...
no, they won't break anything. you just set the string onto the right groove to get your string spacing where you want it.

here's one strung up:
55U-4015_bridge.jpg

see how the saddles are right against each other? on a typical jazz bass, the outer strings get spread out a little to line up between the pickup magnets; this causes them to push the saddles in towards the center, holding them all together to both improve tone and prevent rattle.

the first generation american standard bass bridges did the same thing, just adding the string-through:
3214243794_f47481fc2a.jpg

the stock mexi bass bridges (and that '75 reissue bridge, unfortunately) don't do any of this; not only can't you line the strings up exactly right with jazz bass pickups, but the saddles always drift apart, leaving them free to slide around, losing sustain and getting out of adjustment.
 
#10
not the greatest picture, but here's a high-dollar suhr bass with this bridge. see how the strings spread out slightly at the bridge and line up perfectly between the pickup magnets?
pickupsClassicJpreamp.jpg
 
#11
superhand said:
I am looking for a good drop in bridge for my MIM Jazz. I am not concerned about getting more sustain or better tone, I just want something that is more solid than the stock bridge, and I don't want the saddles to slide around.

So far I like the Gotoh 201. Any other suggestions? I don't want to spend more than about $30.
Click to expand...

I have the gotoh 201 on both my squier VM's and I love it. You can get it for 32 (for the chrome) + shipping from warmoth

Good luck
 
#12
Thanks Walterw, I think I get it now. Is there a brand you like for that type of bridge? guitarpartsresource.com has one for $19.99

Link Removed

They also have the genuine Fender for $34.79. I'd rather save the 15 bucks, if I'm just paying for the brand name.
 
#13
superhand said:
As far as i can tell, the Gotoh 203 is the same as the 201, except for the two additional screws in front, supposedly for better tone transfer.
Click to expand...

They're also different where the ball ends rest. The 203 is like a Fender, but the 201 has a lot more metal there and a different overall look.

Here's a 201 (blue bass) and the 203 (TB P Bass) for comparison.
 
#14
superhand said:
Thanks Walterw, I think I get it now. Is there a brand you like for that type of bridge? guitarpartsresource.com has one for $19.99

Link Removed

They also have the genuine Fender for $34.79. I'd rather save the 15 bucks, if I'm just paying for the brand name.
Click to expand...
i suspect that the economy one is not made of as nice metal as the fender, but it's likely still an improvement over the stock mexi saddles.

you can get just the saddles themselves from allparts.
 
#17
let me tip the balance for you: as nice as the 201 is, it's 3/4" spacing will be just a little too narrow to let the strings line up perfectly between the jazz pickup magnets, just like the stock bridge.
 
#18
walterw said:
let me tip the balance for you: as nice as the 201 is, it's 3/4" spacing will be just a little too narrow to let the strings line up perfectly between the jazz pickup magnets, just like the stock bridge.
Click to expand...

I think you may have convinced me. I'm really not trying to change my tone. Is there a brand you like for the vintage threaded rod type bridge? I've seen them on allparts.com and guitarpartsresource.com.
 
#19
allparts sells the gotoh, which is just fine (suhr uses them on his $3000 jazz basses). they also sell the saddles separately, which is all you really need.

the usa fender one has real steel saddles (they stick to a magnet) and usa screw threads, which i like but may not really matter.
 
#20
More solid? Is yours bending or something? I've been using the stock bridge on my Mexi-Jazz and it works, sounds, and feels just fine. I don't usually "fix" things that ain't broke or deficient, but that's just me. BTW, once there's tension on the strings, the saddles aren't goin' anywhere, they stay put just fine. Save your money for a set of strings.
 

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