Jaguar | Mastery | String Gauges

[DanyoSound]

This conversation topic (and its poll) is specifically geared toward those who use a Mastery Bridge on a Jaguar (or other 24" scale neck with the Jaguar-type vibrato.

There is no point in chiming in if you have a Jazzmaster with a Mastery Bridge, or a Jaguar with a Staytrem, or a Mustang with Mastery Bridge, unless it's a Bilinda Mustang. (Not trying to be a dick).

Select the gauge set that matches closest to your set.

I started using EB Hybrid Slinky (9-46). I felt like an idiot, since most of the offset crowd finds 10s to feel like "spaghetti."

I now use EB Skinny Top Heavy Bottom (10-52). I wouldn't dream of using a heavier gauge. In fact, it took a while for me to get used to this gauge. A few callouses later, I mostly like them. I know Nels uses 12s (Boomers).

But a tech recently told me that he uses standard 9s (9-42), and sometimes he even uses 8s (8-38)!

How light can you go? How heavy can you? Tell your stories for using extreme gauges on your Mastery-equipped Jaguars.

[Dragenhjerte]

After I bought the my Squier VMJM I replaced the bridge with a Mastery Bridge & Fender Locking tuners and restrung it with D'addario NYXL 11-49's.
They hold up pretty good so far.

http://www.daddario.com/DADProductDetai ... ium__11_49" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[shoule79]

I used to use 10 - 46 on my Jag with a Mustang bridge with no issues, I can't see why a Mastery wouldn't work with that gauge or even smaller. I use that gauge on my JM with a Mastery and wouldn't hesitate going smaller.

Before someone told me it was "wrong" I used 9 - 42 on my JM with the original bridge. A good setup and a shim do wonders.

[David_Maas]

I used to use 10 - 46 on my Jag with a Mustang bridge with no issues, I can't see why a Mastery wouldn't work with that gauge or even smaller. I use that gauge on my JM with a Mastery and wouldn't hesitate going smaller.

Before someone told me it was "wrong" I used 9 - 42 on my JM with the original bridge. A good setup and a shim do wonders.

I agree that if 10-46 feels good on a Jag w/ Mustang bridge, then the swap to a Mastery will not likely influence that too much for you. However, I don't think you can easily compare string gauges on the 24" Jag to a 25.5" JM. A rough rule of thumb is one gauge up from LP -> JM/Strat/Tele, so I could imagine going up two gauges from 25.5" to 24". D'addario has a nice tool you could try: http://stringtensionpro.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; with the assumption that similar tensions will likely feel the same (but that's not always the case for me).

[Jaguar018]

When I first started playing guitar I figured out, and I'm not sure how or why, that thinner strings were the way to go. Alas, my high Es kept breaking.

One day I switched from 8s to 10s and WOW. It was that solid thick sound my ears were longing for. I have 10s on my Strat-- mostly because the nut can't fit 11s.

With my Jaguar & Mastery I have been playing 11-52s for some time. I've tried different brands and cores, and have come back to steel core strings [Dean Markley Blue Steels mediums]. I liked the Thomastik-Infelds too. Snake Oils were okay.

Along with the string gauge I think it's important to figure out steel vs nickel and flatwounds vs regular. Lots of people get really excited arguing over their preferred strings and brands. I like to try different ones now and again just to see if there is something that I'm missing.