Bridge for MIM Jazz for functionality, not tone or sustain

[walterw]

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.

you mean like on this '70s jazz, where you can see how the G saddle has slid over, and also how the string spread is just a little narrower than the pickup magnets?

i don't want to overstate all this, as it's not really a big deal, but it's not nothing, either.

 

[superhand]

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.

I really don't like the fact that my saddles just wander side to side freely, just from me playing my bass. That to me is enough reason to change it. And yes there is tension on the strings, plenty of it.

 

[David Jayne]

Here's a Gotoh, installed on my 75 RI. Works fine. Sorry I don't have a wider shot:

 

[JLS]

I really don't like the fact that my saddles just wander side to side freely, just from me playing my bass. That to me is enough reason to change it. And yes there is tension on the strings, plenty of it.

Have you considered filing grooves (gasp!)into the existing saddles?

 

[RustyAxe]

I really don't like the fact that my saddles just wander side to side freely, just from me playing my bass. That to me is enough reason to change it. And yes there is tension on the strings, plenty of it.

Then, by all means, change it. I've just not found it necessary in 40 years of playing bass to change out a bridge that wasn't defective. YMMV. Guess that's how Gotoh and others stay in business.

 

[mongo2]

My alltime favorite bridge

 

[Beefbass]

Then, by all means, change it. I've just not found it necessary in 40 years of playing bass to change out a bridge that wasn't defective. YMMV. Guess that's how Gotoh and others stay in business.

Agreed, I've only changed bridges on basses a couple of times over the years.

When I got my MIM fretless in 2002, the A string saddle stripped out. Dealer didn't want to hear it, so I bought a Gotoh 201 from Warmoth, $23.00


A used '76 jazz bass I bought had some funky aftermarket bridge incorrectly installed on it, so I removed it, and put on a DiMarzio brass bridge.

Otherwise, I just leave them alone

 

[superhand]

Have you considered filing grooves (gasp!)into the existing saddles?

There are already grooves in the saddles. The whole saddle moves side to side (or up and down depending on your perspective)

 

[walterw]

yeah, there's no way. the correct groove would be about halfway into the old one.

 

[walterw]

Here's a Gotoh, installed on my 75 RI. Works fine.

nice. again, the 201 is technically a little too narrow to line up perfectly with vintage jazz bass pickup poles, but you've avoided the entire issue with those bar-magnet bartolinis.