Looking for such saddles:

For help with setups and other technical issues.
User avatar
RaistMagus
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:13 am

Looking for such saddles:

Post by RaistMagus » Sat Sep 11, 2021 11:59 am

Hi all, I'm looking to replace the Mustang saddles on my new Jazzmaster pro II. They need to:

1. Be individually height-adjustable
2. Have modern string spacing
3. Be made of metal (unlike the graphtech ones)
4. Fit the stock Mustang bridge

Does anyone know if such saddles exist?

I.e. they can be like the original JM saddles but with narrower spacing, or barrels with height screws (like the graphtech ones but metallic).

User avatar
timtam
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2729
Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:42 am
Location: Melbourne

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by timtam » Sat Sep 11, 2021 8:53 pm

I can't think of a bridge or saddles that satisfy all of those design criteria.
EDITED for simpler solution than my earlier version:
If the Warmoth Modified Mustang bridge came in that 52mm E-E spacing, it would cover all those criteria. So you could buy the Warmoth for the saddles and then file their edges down a little to 10.4mm string separation on the Am Pro's (52mm) bridge plate.
Or a cheaper option, although gold only, and still needing some filing ...
https://www.eyguitarmusic.com/6pcs-of-B ... _2746.html
Or file the smaller-diameter barrel saddles of the 0081239049 MIK bridge ...
https://darrenriley.com/store/fender-mu ... 081239049/
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.

User avatar
RaistMagus
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 46
Joined: Wed Mar 24, 2010 2:13 am

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by RaistMagus » Sun Sep 12, 2021 12:38 am

Thank you for your reply. I really like the zero sustain of the original screws and I can cure the rattle, if only the spacing was narrower...

Back to reality, I checked the bridge radius and it is 9.5" indeed, so I guess the frets must have a flatter radius. Fender never disappoints...

Before I start filing away, I will try to shim the high and low E strings with pieces cut from a feeler gauge. Unless there's a better idea for shimming material : )

User avatar
CorporateDisguise
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 777
Joined: Sun Mar 08, 2015 9:56 am
Location: NY

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by CorporateDisguise » Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:31 am

You could get a vintage style Jazzmaster bridge with the threaded saddles. The string spacing is adjustable, and it functions fairly similarly to the mustang style. As long as you have a decent break angle over it, you don’t run into any of the problems associated with vintage bridges.

User avatar
alexpigment
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:02 pm

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by alexpigment » Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:28 pm

CorporateDisguise wrote:
Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:31 am
You could get a vintage style Jazzmaster bridge with the threaded saddles. The string spacing is adjustable, and it functions fairly similarly to the mustang style. As long as you have a decent break angle over it, you don’t run into any of the problems associated with vintage bridges.
This is the conclusion I came to as well. Although I think everyone on this forum would love to see a bridge like the OP described, it doesn't exist to my knowledge. Some of the fixed radius bridge designs are decent (AmPro, Mastery), but are a bit of compromise if your neck/frets aren't perfect. The vintage bridge allows for some wiggle room, and I've not had any issues with the strings jumping threads so far.

User avatar
JSett
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8803
Joined: Mon Jun 01, 2009 1:33 pm
Location: Old Hampshire, Old England

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by JSett » Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:07 am

alexpigment wrote:
Thu Sep 16, 2021 7:28 pm
CorporateDisguise wrote:
Wed Sep 15, 2021 3:31 am
You could get a vintage style Jazzmaster bridge with the threaded saddles. The string spacing is adjustable, and it functions fairly similarly to the mustang style. As long as you have a decent break angle over it, you don’t run into any of the problems associated with vintage bridges.
This is the conclusion I came to as well. Although I think everyone on this forum would love to see a bridge like the OP described, it doesn't exist to my knowledge. Some of the fixed radius bridge designs are decent (AmPro, Mastery), but are a bit of compromise if your neck/frets aren't perfect. The vintage bridge allows for some wiggle room, and I've not had any issues with the strings jumping threads so far.
A Mastery isn't fixed radius.
Silly Rabbit, don't you know scooped mids are for kids?

User avatar
jorri
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3036
Joined: Thu May 07, 2009 1:53 am
Location: bath, UK
Contact:

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by jorri » Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:53 am

There is also the issue of 'gappy saddles'. Some mustang bridges like warmoth and all parts have a natural position where gaps between the saddles. That'll do nothing for buzz.

Feeler guage sounds alright. Its accurate at least. You could in fact do some math or action measurement and shim 4 of the strings pretty much exactly. May need some cyanoacrylate adhesive to prevent them slipping out though. Cyanoacrylate can eventually be undone with acetate and force if need to.

User avatar
jorri
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3036
Joined: Thu May 07, 2009 1:53 am
Location: bath, UK
Contact:

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by jorri » Fri Sep 17, 2021 3:53 am

*acetone :fp:

User avatar
ChrisDesign
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 322
Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:21 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by ChrisDesign » Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:40 pm

Have you checked out Graphtech saddles?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PQ-8108-00-Str ... 730&sr=8-1
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain

User avatar
alexpigment
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:02 pm

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by alexpigment » Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:08 pm

johnnysomersett wrote:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:07 am
A Mastery isn't fixed radius.
Agreed. I was taking the OP's requirements into consideration by omitting it, just for context.

User avatar
timtam
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2729
Joined: Sun Oct 22, 2017 2:42 am
Location: Melbourne

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by timtam » Fri Sep 17, 2021 7:30 pm

ChrisDesign wrote:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 1:40 pm
Have you checked out Graphtech saddles?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/PQ-8108-00-Str ... 730&sr=8-1
Never noticed before that they're spec-ed at 52mm E-E. So an option if you're OK with tusq.
https://graphtech.com/products/tusq-sad ... jazzmaster
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.

User avatar
alexpigment
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 845
Joined: Mon Jun 04, 2018 3:02 pm

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by alexpigment » Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:52 pm

I assume the OP mentioned that he wanted metal saddles rather than graphtech due to the inability for them to act as a string ground. Not inherently a problem if you can ground the trem, but in the stock configuration, you're going to loose the string ground.

User avatar
andy_tchp
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8010
Joined: Fri Apr 02, 2010 1:36 am
Location: Brisbane

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by andy_tchp » Sat Sep 18, 2021 12:00 am

They sound like shit too.
"I don't know why we asked him to join the band 'cause the rest of us don't like country music all that much; we just like Graham Lee."
David McComb, 1987.

User avatar
ChrisDesign
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 322
Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:21 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by ChrisDesign » Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:06 am

alexpigment wrote:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:52 pm
I assume the OP mentioned that he wanted metal saddles rather than graphtech due to the inability for them to act as a string ground. Not inherently a problem if you can ground the trem, but in the stock configuration, you're going to loose the string ground.
You’re incredible! You’ve just explained why my Les Paul used to buzz like crazy: I used Graphtech saddles! I v could never work this one out. Then one day I swapped the bridge for a new one, and just realised my guitar no longer buzzes.

Well, i bet you can ground the vibrato somehow, making the GraphTech saddles an option. Personally, I would just get a staytrem bridge.
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain

User avatar
jorri
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 3036
Joined: Thu May 07, 2009 1:53 am
Location: bath, UK
Contact:

Re: Looking for such saddles:

Post by jorri » Sat Sep 18, 2021 3:12 pm

ChrisDesign wrote:
Sat Sep 18, 2021 11:06 am
alexpigment wrote:
Fri Sep 17, 2021 11:52 pm
I assume the OP mentioned that he wanted metal saddles rather than graphtech due to the inability for them to act as a string ground. Not inherently a problem if you can ground the trem, but in the stock configuration, you're going to loose the string ground.
You’re incredible! You’ve just explained why my Les Paul used to buzz like crazy: I used Graphtech saddles! I v could never work this one out. Then one day I swapped the bridge for a new one, and just realised my guitar no longer buzzes.

Well, i bet you can ground the vibrato somehow, making the GraphTech saddles an option. Personally, I would just get a staytrem bridge.
I had a graphtech that buzzed like crazy, but in the sense of string buzz. Because they left gaps of over a mm between the saddles so the float about...wheee! No point bothering setting you action! Instead of stringa popping out of saddles the actual saddle flipped on its side- what total crap!

Post Reply