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Post subject: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 6:04 am
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Hiya,
Been playing for longer than I'd like to admit, loads of experience setting my guitars up, BUT never done a Jazzer before. Bought a VM Jazzmaster a couple of days ago. Setting up on 11s and shimmed the neck a little.
Two questions -
Since the trem is the non-locking variety, any advice on setting it up correctly would be great.
The bridge... Set the action by raising the whole unit, raising the saddles or 50/50?

Thanks in advance.

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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 2:57 pm
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I only see this guitar on photo.

If you can raise the action only with the bridge it would be the best IMO . Individual saddle adjustment is for keep the string same radius as the neck radius.

Why do you shim the neck ?

To adjust this guitar, the same principles apply as any other guitar you adjust.

No owner manual with this VM Jazzmaster ?


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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Thu Dec 13, 2012 11:33 pm
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stratele52 wrote:
I only see this guitar on photo.

If you can raise the action only with the bridge it would be the best IMO . Individual saddle adjustment is for keep the string same radius as the neck radius.

Why do you shim the neck ?

To adjust this guitar, the same principles apply as any other guitar you adjust.

No owner manual with this VM Jazzmaster ?

People raise the bridge and shim the neck to increase the break angle of the strings over the bridge and keep their action relatively low. The increased break angle keeps the strings from slipping off the saddles. Though if set up properly with heavy guage strings, it's a non-issue. And no, Fender/Squier doesn't include manuals with these guitars.


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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:24 am
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DaveJr wrote:
stratele52 wrote:
I only see this guitar on photo.

If you can raise the action only with the bridge it would be the best IMO . Individual saddle adjustment is for keep the string same radius as the neck radius.

Why do you shim the neck ?

To adjust this guitar, the same principles apply as any other guitar you adjust.

No owner manual with this VM Jazzmaster ?

People raise the bridge and shim the neck to increase the break angle of the strings over the bridge and keep their action relatively low. The increased break angle keeps the strings from slipping off the saddles. Though if set up properly with heavy guage strings, it's a non-issue. And no, Fender/Squier doesn't include manuals with these guitars.


I know all that, but to help Somebodyelse I need to know from him, because he need to raise his action AFTER he shim the neck !!!!


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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:31 am
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On the setup: adjust everything else first [relief, string height, intonation etc. (and even before those, check that the strings can move on the nut and bridge; slots are OK and lubed - the old Fender advise is lip balm aplied with a toothpick)].
Then tune up the pitch, and adjust the trem spring tension so that the trem arm is about in the middle position (you can check its motion path limits when the strings are loosened a little).
Assuming it's been setup right for the lighter strings, you probably just have to tighten it a bit. Tune to pitch again, and play some - adjust if needed.

On the string height: my personal preference is to keep the bridge as low as possible (I've found that sometimes it wobbles if too high), and adjust the saddles higher - I like the saddle screws not to stick up from the saddles, so this way I sometimes don't have to shorten them. :wink:

Oh, BTW: Again thumb down for Fender/Squier for instructions policy - especially the Squiers are often sold to beginners, so there should be a comprehensive Owner's Manual for every guitar sold...


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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2012 2:11 pm
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Thanks for the replies.

Been playing, setting up and even built a few for 30 years... this is my first time with the Jazz/Jag bridge.

The 'shim'... more so I could get the correct pickup clearance than anything, but the slight increase in the break angle over the bridge doesn't hurt. The pickups were far too close to the strings and there wasn't enough adjustment/too much foam under them. Shimming the neck was the easier option.
The design of the bridge unit is not dissimilar to that on Bigsby equipped Gretsches. It's supposed to wobble.
Mine was either set up as it arrived from the factory or the lad at the store didn't know how it should be done? The bridge was low and the saddles raised... I noticed that, set like that, it's impossible to get the intonation right. If the saddles are too high, the strings rattle against the end of the screw - when you fretted higher up the neck the screw was actually acting as the bridge saddle, so I lowered the saddles and raised the bridge unit until I got to a point where the strings weren't fowling anywhere... aside from that, I had to cut the springs down to allow enough adjustment for correct intonation.
Anyway, all sorted now. The bridge rocks with the tremolo action, as it should, there are no rattles, buzzes or any other unwanted noises and the tuning is dead stable.
For me, this guitar was bought as a 'toy', a bit of a learning exercise and because I have all sorts of guitars, but never tried a Jazz/Jag - I may well get a Jag in the new year. It'll never be gigged, but it will be used for recording, when I want that sound - they tell me it's very much surf or grunge(?)... so I'll be trying it on some blues stuff.

Anyhoo, I'm very pleased with it, especially as I've managed to 'prove' that the standard bridge unit can be made to work rattle/buzz free with little effort.

Thanks again for the replies.

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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2012 5:08 pm
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somebodyelseuk wrote:
Thanks for the replies.

Been playing, setting up and even built a few for 30 years... this is my first time with the Jazz/Jag bridge.

The 'shim'... more so I could get the correct pickup clearance than anything, but the slight increase in the break angle over the bridge doesn't hurt. The pickups were far too close to the strings and there wasn't enough adjustment/too much foam under them. Shimming the neck was the easier option.
The design of the bridge unit is not dissimilar to that on Bigsby equipped Gretsches. It's supposed to wobble.
Mine was either set up as it arrived from the factory or the lad at the store didn't know how it should be done? The bridge was low and the saddles raised... I noticed that, set like that, it's impossible to get the intonation right. If the saddles are too high, the strings rattle against the end of the screw - when you fretted higher up the neck the screw was actually acting as the bridge saddle, so I lowered the saddles and raised the bridge unit until I got to a point where the strings weren't fowling anywhere... aside from that, I had to cut the springs down to allow enough adjustment for correct intonation.
Anyway, all sorted now. The bridge rocks with the tremolo action, as it should, there are no rattles, buzzes or any other unwanted noises and the tuning is dead stable.
For me, this guitar was bought as a 'toy', a bit of a learning exercise and because I have all sorts of guitars, but never tried a Jazz/Jag - I may well get a Jag in the new year. It'll never be gigged, but it will be used for recording, when I want that sound - they tell me it's very much surf or grunge(?)... so I'll be trying it on some blues stuff.

Anyhoo, I'm very pleased with it, especially as I've managed to 'prove' that the standard bridge unit can be made to work rattle/buzz free with little effort.

Thanks again for the replies.

How low do you want the pickups? Mine are just fine. They are "hotter" than standard Jag/Jazzie pups. That's the modified part of the Vintage modified features. And remember, these guitars were designed with heavy guage flatwounds in mind. 11's are the smallest I'd go with, for tone and functionality.


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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Sun Dec 16, 2012 11:38 am
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DaveJr wrote:
How low do you want the pickups? Mine are just fine. They are "hotter" than standard Jag/Jazzie pups. That's the modified part of the Vintage modified features. And remember, these guitars were designed with heavy guage flatwounds in mind. 11's are the smallest I'd go with, for tone and functionality.


Approx. 2.5mm from the underside of the strings when fretted at the 21st fret.
The output is irrelevant. I don't want the magnets affecting the intonation and sustain. When the pickups are too loud, I use the knob marked 'volume'.
All good now.

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Post subject: Re: VM Jazzmaster/Jaguar - Setup advice
Posted: Wed Dec 19, 2012 8:02 pm
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somebodyelseuk wrote:
DaveJr wrote:
How low do you want the pickups? Mine are just fine. They are "hotter" than standard Jag/Jazzie pups. That's the modified part of the Vintage modified features. And remember, these guitars were designed with heavy guage flatwounds in mind. 11's are the smallest I'd go with, for tone and functionality.


Approx. 2.5mm from the underside of the strings when fretted at the 21st fret.
The output is irrelevant. I don't want the magnets affecting the intonation and sustain. When the pickups are too loud, I use the knob marked 'volume'.All good now.

Oh, is that what that's for?


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