It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 11:10 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2014 5:15 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:19 am
Posts: 35
Firstly, I know this issue is kinda what comes with having a Jazzmaster with a floating bridge but I thought I'd run it by you guys anyway. My trem is set up perfectly with 10-46's so that I can engage the trem lock if I need to tune down/break a string and hold tuning etc....

It's clear to me that bending strings on my Classic Player Jazzmaster is a little harder than say on my Strat or Les Paul. I believe this is due to the overall string length involved, the amount of string behind the bridge, break angle over the bridge, and the fact that the floating trem moves as I bend the string up requiring me to bend it further...

I can bend up a whole tone, but it does require noticeably more effort than my other guitars.

My question is: Is there anything that can be done to make string bending easier and give it a more slinky feel?

Lower nut slots as low as they can go without buzzing???

Raise string height? If so what height is good for a Jazzmaster???

PS: I don't want to switch from 10-46's

Cheers for any help!

Karl.


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:56 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
The Jazzmaster wasn't originally designed for big bend music - the Jazzmaster, you know.

But one thing to experiment with is different string brands - some strings just feel "rubbery", some feel like steel rods...

You might also concider adjusting the neck angle. Shimming the neck, so the string break angle over the bridge becomes straighter might help - a little.
And: a Jazzmaster can be setup with a .009-set... try it before you knock it :wink:

Other than those I guess it's just the obvious: strenghten your fingers, bend on the easiest notes (= near the middle of the string lenght), tune one step down etc.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 8:23 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Jan 30, 2012 11:19 am
Posts: 35
Thanks for the reply!

So you're saying LESS break angle would make bending easier?

Correct me if I'm wrong but wouldn't shimming (raising) the neck require me to then raise the bridge slightly thus increasing break angle??? I doubt the neck needs to be shimmed any on this guitar, that issue was fixed on the Classic Player.

Karl.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:17 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
There' shimming and then there's shimming... :lol:

The more common way is to put the shim in the bottom end of the neck pocket (= just beside the neck pickup) -> you raise the bridge -> you increase the string break angle.

Here I was suggesting you shim the other end of the neck pocket -> you lower the bridge (to get the same action) -> you decrease the string break angle at the bridge, which is supposed to make bending easier. The effect may be noticeable, or you may notice no change - it's up to you to decide if you want to try this, and myself I'd first try the different string brands... or actually, I'd first go to 009's or just not play the JM when I play the bent blue notes.

Of the Fenders I've hassled with, the JM's seem to "need" shimming more often than others - but this is just a personal opinion.
And: you very seldom get different guitars to have the exact same playing feeling. Your Les Paul has a shorter scale and totally different neck&body construction. And the Strat - well, two Stratocasters seldom play the same so why should a Strat and JM..? :wink:


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 3:05 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Wed Apr 18, 2012 9:12 am
Posts: 12
I dont think changing the break angle behind the bridge is gonna make much if any difference to the bendability of the strings. All you're changing is the break angle, not the length of string behind the bridge, and the effect of this on string compliance is minimal at best.

I think jmattis summed up your best options above; go lighter gauge, try a different brand / string construction and just strengthen your fingers. Or save the big bends for your tele strung with 8s... :)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 11:52 pm
Offline
Aspiring Musician
Aspiring Musician
User avatar

Joined: Tue May 15, 2012 2:49 am
Posts: 560
Location: Perth, Australia
Another thing to take note of is the Fret-Size of the other guitars you found easier to bend strings on. That may be your difference.

_________________
GUITAR: Fender USA JazzMaster.
BASS: Fender USA 58'AVRI
AMP: Fender USA SuperSonicTwin - Blonde.
Image


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Sun Mar 09, 2014 7:46 am
Offline
Professional Musician
Professional Musician
User avatar

Joined: Thu Oct 14, 2010 8:54 am
Posts: 1179
Location: Florida
Your Jazzmaster is a 25 1/2 inch scale the same as a Strat or Tele. You have a Classic Player Jazzy so it does not have a true floating bridge. It has a tune-o-matice or adjust-o-matic bridge. Switching string gauge to 9's is not a real big issue. (you will need to intonate after switching gauge.) Bear in mind, the Jazzmaster was designed from the get go for Jazz, not Blues. Unfortunately, the Jazz players loved their ES style guitars more.

Art


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Jazzmaster string bending/trem issue
Posted: Mon Mar 10, 2014 5:11 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Oct 02, 2010 4:26 pm
Posts: 14
I like the Jazzmaster it is right between a tele and a strat, I do play blues on mine (bend a lot with 10's) and i really like the ability to switch the top on and off to roll off the treble a bit. I like the strat but i continually hit the selector switch with my pinky and i don't on the tele, the Jazzmaster is out of the way as well. Anyway a really fun guitar to play with lots of tonality option on it!


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 8 posts ] 

All times are UTC - 7 hours

Fender Play Winter Sale 2020

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 2 guests


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum

Search for:
Jump to: