Staytrem Bridge advice

[Snowmonkey]

Hi all, hope someone can help me out here. I caved and bought a Staytrem bridge for my Player Jazzmaster (the cheap one with 2 humbuckers and no rhythm circuit).

The bridge is as well made as it is rumoured to be. But, aaarrrggghhh my buzzing is loads worse, with wierd harmonics (when playing acoustically). I think it may have something to do with how it is sitting in the holes because if I squeeze the bridge, or press down on it, the buzzing seems to go. But other than that I don't really know how to trouble shoot it. Surely it should just sit in the holes? There doesn't seem to be any trick to installing it properly (unless I am missing something).

I will take the strings off and look at it in detail tomorrow. So any advice gratefully received.

Thanks in advance...

[adamrobertt]

You need a shim most likely so you can crank the bridge up a little more and get some more tension on it.

[Snowmonkey]

Thanks. I thought this model might not fit into the "needing a shim' category as the break angle is quite a bit steeper than on a standard JM (trem is a lot closer to the bridge)...but I have run out of ideas so that could be it.

Any reason why the Staytrem would have more of an issue than the previous bridge? It is more solidly built (heavier), does that mean it needs more downward pressure?

[schoolie]

Has the string action changed with the staytrem which is fixed radius?

[Snowmonkey]

Not massively. Had to lower the bridge slightly when I dropped it in...

[schoolie]

I'm just wondering if the buzzing, strange overtones are because of fret/low-action issues, or is the buzzing from the bridge itself. You could try playing each string with your hand on the strings, just behind the bridge saddles.

[jorri]

Is it now touching the thimbles or even tilted forward? Can be the posts buzzing against them. I tend to tilt toward the tremolo, then gibe a few upbends on the trem and it seems to rectify it. Sometimes its an issue of too little friction with the rocking bridges.

[ChrisDesign]

I have a Jazzmaster Standard - which the Player replaced as is basically the same - and I had exactly the same problem. My G string would buzz. I shimmed the neck with a Stew Mac full pocket, 0.5 deg. It fixed the problem.

If you live in the U.K. I can send you one as I bought two. I wish I had a 0.25 shim, so anyone who can help me out message me. I don’t want to order from USA just for one shim.

[timtam]

A pic showing the height of the bridge from the side would help. The rocking bridge needs height and or sufficient string tension (gauge/tuning)->downforce->consistent movement with trem use, otherwise stability. There isn't be much on a Staytrem that can buzz. The strings should clear the front and back walls of the bridge plate. The height posts should be clear of the thimble walls. Check that the string grooves are clean. Check that the nylon washers are backed up against the back wall, so that the intonation screws are held securely. The bridge height screws should be held securely extended by the nylon bushings at the bottom of the height posts. Literally nothing on a rocking bridge should be lubricated - friction is your friend ... everywhere except at the conical tips of the bridge height grub screws in the bottom of the thimbles (which need no special attention).

[Snowmonkey]

I think it is the bridge because if I push down on it, or squeeze the end saddles together, it seems to stop.

I have a bit of occasional fret buzz, the set up isn't perfect, but I don't think this is that. I will upload some pics later this morning.

[Snowmonkey]

Here are a couple of pics of the bridge;

* edited, can't get the pictures to work, will try and find another place to host them.

[Snowmonkey]

Ok I have done some more sleuthing. If I pluck D open, I get the buzz. If I then push down on the bridge at both sides and pluck the same string, the buzz goes. So that eliminates the saddles and screws as I dont' touch them. Maybe the height adjust screws have come loose. I will take strings off and bridge out and see what is going on.

[jorri]

So if you push on the plate?

Then its something to do with posts, which are in contact with post screws or thimble holes.

Images didnt post.

Maybe also pushing the plate puts pressure on the saddles anyway, such as the intonation screws buzzing.

[adamrobertt]

Those photos aren't showing up btw.

[Snowmonkey]

So...update. I took the strings off and the bridge out to look at it in more detail. Definitely no movement in the legs as far as I can see. If I give it a good shake there is a tiny amount of movement/noise from the saddles/screws, but nothing that shouldn't be stopped by strings under tension.

I raised the bridge slightly, put it back, put new strings on (9-42 because that's all I have to hand), and now it seems loads better. The action is a little high, but not unplayable by any means.

I am going to see if I can find a luthier within driving distance who can give it a proper set up (perhaps with a shim)...and in the meantime I am just going to get on and play it. I also realised that I maybe notice buzzes more than I should because I often pick it up and play it acoustically. I probably should worry less about that and more about what it sounds like plugged in (which is pretty good).