Squier Standard Jazz bridge questions

[Aunt Babe]

I have a Squier Standard Jazz that came out of the box with some really wonky intonation problems. They're under control, but it's stretching the saddles on the bridge to their limit. I'm a newbie at repair/replacing, and my instructor suggested replacing the bridge. Does anyone know what bridge I could drop in that's longer than the 1 and 3/4 inch stock bridge already on my bass?

I found one other thread about Standard Jazz bridges here(http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f18/squier-standard-jazz-bass-bridge-replacement-636912/) but that mostly talks about string alignment.

Also, any comments on the stock pups, other than the slots for them are small (92mm)? (I found that out here:http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f38/squier-standard-jazz-bass-pickup-replacement-704501/)

PS did anyone else notice that Squier has discontinued making the standard jazz?

 

[96tbird]

Get longer intonation screws... cheapest route. I did for a Wilkinson bridge I have, all is good.

Edit: look if you have intonation but the screws are at their limit, which I had with my squier jazz, and still had plate to work with, longer screws. No need to do anything else until you try that first. Moving the bridge is the last option after trying witness point, longer screws, longer travel bridge with a Fender screw pattern, in that order. Lowendgenerator is right, I overlooked.that as I had the same thing going on with my Squier jazz.

The screws metric M3 and I think I got some 45mm long.

 

[Stanley Pugh]

Would moving the bridge a quarter inch or so front or back depending on witch way you need the room fix your problem?

 

[lowendgenerator]

Make sure you push down on the strings where they ride over the saddle to create a 'witness point'. If the string is too stiff, it won't break cleanly over the saddle, and it'll cause all kinds of intonation issues. I've rode a saddle all the way up and down a bridge and had the intonation not change a bit.

 

[walterw]

+1 to "seating" the string for proper break angle over the saddle. do this at the nut as well.

 

[Aunt Babe]

Thanks for the info, I appreciate it! I'll probably try the screws first.

 

[SurferJoe46]

1) Secure the witness point FIRST - this is free and should be done in any/all cases
2) THEN if you cannot get it to intonate, get the longer screws.

First things first.

 

[Pilgrim]

Try all other options before drilling holes in ANYTHING.

 

[Aunt Babe]

Pilgrim, yes yes I do NOT want to drill into my bass!! It's a nice rootbeer-colored 'walnut' and I do not want to mess with it.

 

[walterw]

to really find out if you need to do any altering, measure the distances involved.

to get your true scale length, use a tape measure or a yardstick, and get the exact distance from the edge of the nut (fretboard side) to the center of the 12th fret. (on a typical fender-style bass, it should be exactly 17", half the 34" scale.)

you should have that same distance from the center of the 12th fret to where the string contacts the G string saddle, plus maybe a 1/16" or so. the other saddles will sit further back than the G, so if the G saddle has room to get to the exact scale length distance, your bridge is in the right place, and your problem lies elsewhere.

 

[Stanley Pugh]

You may want to find a local pro to assess your problem, without looking at it anyone here can only guess.
It could be anything from misplaced hardware to a really bad string etc.
Most local music stores have someone who can do a set up for you.