Hardware recommendations?

Talk about modding or building your own guitar from scratch.
User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:13 pm

Hello,

I'm building my first JazzMaster. The body is on its way. It is constructed from reclaimed cedar by Nomoonlaser. I'm a fan of their bodies.
I have a maple Carvin 22 fret neck with an ebony fretboard and Sperzel tuners. I am seeking knowledge.
What are some good authenticate sounding JM style pickups? Fender are an obvious choice, but I'm open to suggestions.
Who makes a good vibrato and bridge? Again, Fender is again the obvious choice but I'm open to alternatives.

User avatar
Shorty Medlock 5151
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Aug 04, 2022 6:51 pm

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by Shorty Medlock 5151 » Sun Aug 14, 2022 11:48 pm

I bought used genuine Fender pickups for my Jag build and will likely do the same for the JM project that is next in line.

Nothing against aftermarket parts but my budget was $75 for the pickups. I did buy new Fender tremelo, Mustang bridge and CTS pots, etc.

User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Mon Aug 15, 2022 3:34 am

I'll likely do the same. I want a traditional JM sound. My aim is to use it for Jazz type of sounds.

User avatar
UlricvonCatalyst
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 7193
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:05 am
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:13 am

GuitarsnGravel wrote:
Sun Aug 14, 2022 4:13 pm
Who makes a good vibrato and bridge? Again, Fender is again the obvious choice but I'm open to alternatives.
The Staytrem bridge is a good alternative which should 'cure' the low E string slippage that can occur if using the tremolo with light-ish strings. They also offer a traditional-style (curved) tremolo arm with a special collet which stops the arm swinging loose, but don't offer a whole tremolo tailpiece. Many people consider both products to be worthwhile upgrades.

User avatar
marqueemoon
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 7344
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
Location: Seattle

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:25 am

What radius is the fretboard on the neck? That’s going to determine your bridge options.

User avatar
JackFawkes
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:32 am
Location: Northern California

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by JackFawkes » Mon Aug 15, 2022 8:57 am

I'm building a parts-Jag at the moment and went with a Staytrem bridge and AVRI vibrato; though like marqueemoon mentioned, the radius of your specific neck is going to determine your bridge options...

Jack

User avatar
marqueemoon
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 7344
Joined: Mon Jun 20, 2016 9:37 pm
Location: Seattle

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by marqueemoon » Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:09 am

I’m a Staytrem bridge fan too if it works with the radius.

I have one guitar with the Mastery vibrato and it’s nice and smooth, but also heavy and expensive.

People seem split on the Descendant vibrato here. I’ve yet to try one.

I personally can’t stand the MIJ vibrato or anything with a screw-in arm.

User avatar
Nico
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 137
Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 9:30 pm

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by Nico » Mon Aug 15, 2022 9:16 am

Easy way would be mustang bridge, AVRI trem. It's a sure shot.

User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:41 pm

marqueemoon wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:25 am
What radius is the fretboard on the neck? That’s going to determine your bridge options.
12" Radius

User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:45 pm

UlricvonCatalyst wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:13 am

The Staytrem bridge is a good alternative which should 'cure' the low E string slippage that can occur if using the tremolo with light-ish strings.
I've been reading about Staytrem, it seems like a good option.

User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:57 pm

I read that the Schaller roller bridge will work on a JM. Schaller bridges have always worked well for me and rollers seem like a smart option. Anybody here try the Schaller?

User avatar
UlricvonCatalyst
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 7193
Joined: Mon Dec 14, 2009 4:05 am
Location: Glasgow, Scotland

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by UlricvonCatalyst » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:53 am

GuitarsnGravel wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:45 pm
UlricvonCatalyst wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:13 am

The Staytrem bridge is a good alternative which should 'cure' the low E string slippage that can occur if using the tremolo with light-ish strings.
I've been reading about Staytrem, it seems like a good option.
Although they ship internationally, it's probably more of a best option if you're in the UK. Otherwise import taxes will jack the price up a bit.

As for the Schaller roller bridge, it's not a common modification, possibly because it doesn't work straight out of the box with JM/Jag/Mustang bridge thimbles, but if you can make it work for you, why not.

User avatar
JackFawkes
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 232
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:32 am
Location: Northern California

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by JackFawkes » Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:02 pm

GuitarsnGravel wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 4:41 pm
marqueemoon wrote:
Mon Aug 15, 2022 6:25 am
What radius is the fretboard on the neck? That’s going to determine your bridge options.
12" Radius
The flattest radius that Staytrem offers is 9.5" so your D and G would probably feel a little high on that 12" radius neck with that bridge, wouldn't it?

User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:25 pm

JackFawkes wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 12:02 pm
The flattest radius that Staytrem offers is 9.5" so your D and G would probably feel a little high on that 12" radius neck with that bridge, wouldn't it?
Yeah, I was wondering if I could jackup up the other 4 saddles to compensate. Decisions, decisions.

User avatar
GuitarsnGravel
PAT PEND
PAT PEND
Posts: 44
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:59 am

Re: Hardware recommendations?

Post by GuitarsnGravel » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:49 pm

UlricvonCatalyst wrote:
Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:53 am
As for the Schaller roller bridge, it's not a common modification, possibly because it doesn't work straight out of the box with JM/Jag/Mustang bridge thimbles, but if you can make it work for you, why not.
The Schaller or the StewMac roller bridge are the way I'm going to go. Schallers allow for string width adjustment, which is a nice feature and their build quality is top notch. They have a 14" radius while the Stew Mac is 12". I've built around 10 partscasters and I'm not afraid to experiment. I'm not sure if I can get the bridge to rock, hoping the rollers will allow the arm to return to pitch.

Update: Ordering the WIlkinson roller bridge. I'm concerned with the strings hitting the edge of the bridge on the Schaller and the StewMac units. The Wilki is cheap, a third the price of the Schaller.

Post Reply