What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

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dbsoundman
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What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by dbsoundman » Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:12 am

Hey guys, I just got my Jazzmaster a few days ago, and I've already got a Mustang bridge on order for it. I'm fairly happy with it as-is, but I'm planning on making some improvements to the guitar (Novak JM-V and JM-T pickups), and while I do that I figure I may as well go all-out, so I was considering trying a buzz stop as well. What exactly are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster? I believe I've heard it adds some sustain but possibly sacrifices some resonance from the added string length?

I'd appreciate your thoughts, thanks!

-Dan

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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by higgsblossom » Wed Dec 17, 2014 9:20 am

Contra:
It doesn't look right.

Have you considered a Staytrem bridge? It's cheaper than a Mastery, looks almost "vintage correct" and doesn't affect the sound too much.
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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by Jaguar018 » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:29 am

Pros: your strings won't pop out of the bridge

Cons: everything else, and just about any well-set up guitar won't need it.

There are a few guys here that really like their buzz stops, but they a in the minority. When I was new to offsets I thought I needed one. I didn't. Unless you beat the living hell out of your guitar and insist on featherweight strings (and even then...) chances are you really don't need one.

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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by arkivel » Wed Dec 17, 2014 10:30 am

It looks stupid, it affects the operation of the vibrato, and some argue it doesn't really work or better what a good set-up can achieve.

To me it looks like old outdated technology. There are much better options out there.

Go with a drop in Staytrem or Mastery, or tweak some type of saddles.

I like the tweaking idea myself.

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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by andy_tchp » Wed Dec 17, 2014 1:06 pm

Or just set the stock bridge up properly...
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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by shoule79 » Wed Dec 17, 2014 2:12 pm

Mustang bridge + adequate neck shim + decent setup = absolutely no need for a buzz stop.

Purpose of the buzz stop is to provide more of a break angle after your bridge, a shim will accomplish this, while still letting the strings resonate behind the bridge. My JM came with one, and taking it off made it sound much better to my ears.

The Mustang bridge for me was just to prevent string slippage when I get too aggressive with the guitar. I can get by without it, but like knowing that my strings aren't going to end on on the next strings down saddle mid-song.

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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by 46346 » Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:15 pm

the 'pro' of encountering an offset with a buzz stop on it, is that you can make a low cash offer on it. :D it's quite likely they haven't found their way with it, and are trying little 'upgrades'.

i'm half joking... but i rarely play hard enough to cause problems. i play the original bridge on my old JM (with original shim), and i like what a Mastery does to my Jags (both vintage and modern). and Mustang bridges on my project guitars (and Mustang, of course). i do like the 'normal' appearance of the Staytrem bridge and would like to try it.

i really dig the strings behind the bridge thing. big part of using a Jazz or Jag.
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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by pocaloc » Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:23 pm

arkivel wrote:it affects the operation of the vibrato
I bought a used Jazzmaster with a buzzstop and the vibrato worked so much better once I took the buzzstop off.

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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by Gav Haus » Wed Dec 17, 2014 3:28 pm

Pro: I'm less likely to want to steal your guitar with a buzzstop.

Con: your guitar won't be as good as it'd be without it on.
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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by dbsoundman » Wed Dec 17, 2014 8:25 pm

I'd say we're pretty solidly against it...thanks for the honesty! I haven't had my JM long enough to form an opinion, just thought I'd see what the consensus is. I already have a mustang bridge on order, my local shop will install it and do a setup then. I plan on using my standard Ernie ball super slinkys on it, so they're already a little heavier....11s I think.

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Re: What are the pros/cons of a buzz stop on a Jazzmaster?

Post by somebodyelseuk » Thu Dec 18, 2014 1:15 am

Pro - it reduces buzzing/rattling/screws unwinding... right???

Cons - It probably doesn't.
It adds another element that will screw with the trem/tuning stability.
It removes what I see as what makes JM/Jags sound different - that length of string between the bridge and trem is part of 'their sound'.
It's more dead weight.

There are other ways to reduce/stop the buzzing/rattling/etc, but for me, if the vibrating string after the bridge annoys you, you're playing the wrong model of guitar - when I want a guitar that sounds like a Strat/Tele/Les Paul, I'll use one of those instead.

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