It is currently Mon Mar 16, 2020 9:31 am

All times are UTC - 7 hours



Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 posts ] 
Author Message
Post subject: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:32 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:18 am
Posts: 6
I have a 1969 Mustang and while I have tried for the better part of 40 years to play it with the original bridge I have come to the opinion that the best option is to replace it with something that is more stable . I have read that the Jazzmaster and Mustang bridges will simply "drop-in" allowing one to keep the original bridge for resale purposes but permit actual play with something which does not need constant adjustment and does not permit the strings to slip out of their slots every time one plays a forceful run or even just a lick without being careful to be gentle with the pick. I love the guitar but ,I can't play with a constant mind toward not disturbing the string placement on the saddles.
If you have experience with or know of the substitution of a Mustang or Jazzmaster bridge on a Jaguar please let me know what you have found out . In particular I would like to know if one bridge works better than the other as to stability and sustain and tone and also what was needed to actually make the change ( that is can you simply drop -in the other bridge or is a sleeve or modification needed and once changed can you return to the original jaguar bridge if desired ?) Any and all information will be appreciated.
Thanks ,KIR


Top
Profile
Fender Play Winter Sale 2020
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Mon Oct 13, 2014 12:32 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
Funny how things turn around - at one point, installing a Mustang bridge into a Jazzmaster (or a Jag) was considered an upgrade...

IMHO:

My first advice would be: don't upgrade - a 1969 Mustang is just that, and no mortal should fiddle with it :wink:

But if you absolutely must,
and assuming you have in those forty years of your Mustanging tried all the common cures (string gauge testing, shimming the neck, filing the saddle grooves...) and really know how to set up the guitar,
the Mastery bridge would be the #1 choice.
Another option is the Staytrem - it's gotten some appraisals but I have no personal experience.

On that drop in replacement idea: things that should be drop-ins, usually aren't. And if so, that blows the fully reversible idea out the door.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 10:47 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:52 am
Posts: 56
Location: Connecticut
I use a Staytrem bridge on my VM Jazzmaster. Works great. Looks more original than the Mastery IMO.
I believe it's drop in but check their site to be sure or email them.

Things to consider with the Staytrem is there are no height adjustment screws, and the string spacing is the more modern 52mm.
I like the 52mm spacing and my jazzmaster strings are less than 2mm from the neck which is quite low.

If you do change the bridge, by all means keep the original.
Bob


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 11:12 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
strat98 wrote:
Things to consider with the Staytrem is there are no height adjustment screws, and the string spacing is the more modern 52mm.
Hmm... like I said, I have no personal experience on Staytrems, but from their website:
Quote:
Height adjustment screws are larger than standard and have plastic bushings to prevent them vibrating loose.
I understand the idea to be that the whole bridge is height adjusted, and the saddles are preshaped to follow the fretboard radius...

Oh, BTW:
Quote:
E to E string spacing is 52mm instead of the standard 55mm, this brings the strings away from the edge of the fretboard, this is another common problem solved.
Comparing this statement to the zoomable ad pic for VM Jazzmaster makes me smile... (See the lowE placement on the bridge)


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2014 2:31 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Thu Mar 04, 2010 4:52 am
Posts: 56
Location: Connecticut
jmattis wrote:
strat98 wrote:
Things to consider with the Staytrem is there are no height adjustment screws, and the string spacing is the more modern 52mm.
Hmm... like I said, I have no personal experience on Staytrems, but from their website:
Quote:
Height adjustment screws are larger than standard and have plastic bushings to prevent them vibrating loose.
I understand the idea to be that the whole bridge is height adjusted, and the saddles are preshaped to follow the fretboard radius...

I should have said that "the individual saddles have no height adjustment screws".
The saddle is still adjustable in overall height by the two bridge screws. And yes you have to specify a 7.25 or 9.5 inch radius.
The saddle bushings are also larger (at least on the Jazzmaster bridge) than the stock Bridge. This eliminates some of the rocking of the bridge. IMO it stays in tune better that way but I know that opinion would be argued.
Bob


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Mon Dec 22, 2014 2:52 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Sat Oct 25, 2014 9:28 am
Posts: 47
Location: UK
I would definately keep the original mustang bridge. I have a jaguar i got fed up with continuous adjustment of
the bridge, so i put on the Mustang bridge. No problems since, that was 6 yrs ago. :D

_________________
"Change is inevitable, except from a vending machine".


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Tue Dec 23, 2014 11:11 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:18 am
Posts: 6
First, let me say "Thank You " to all who have offered help. Then, let me say for anyone who has a similar issue or is just interested in the topic that I think I will be trying the so -called "Buzz-Stop" which will increase the break angle on the bridge and hopefully remedy the problem of the strings slipping from their slots when plucked and if I am fortunate the add-on will also obviate the need to constantly re-tune.
I will post the results of this "experiment" so to speak.
As to jmattis' question asking if I really know how to set up the guitar would say that knowledge is relative . Do I set up my guitars as well as an experienced luthier ? Certainly not but,I do a better work than at least a few music shop owners I used to deal with until I found out ( through strobe readings and blind comparisons by other players) that my set -ups were better than theirs .So I guess for purposes of this discussion I know how to set up a guitar .
After installation and play I will post the outcome of applying the "Buzz-Stop"as a fix for the bridge.
Until then ,if anyone has any other suggestions please let me know. If I can take care of the problem without adding a part and thus changing the guitar from all-original to something else and not to mention saving the $40.00 plus shipping-I will be glad to try most suggestions.
Again ,thanks to you all


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Wed Dec 24, 2014 2:36 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
My question wasn't meant as doubting your skills, just a hint that if you don't trust those skills yourself, take the guitar to a pro for setup. I have friends who have played guitar about as long as you, but don't know anything of setups...

On your guitar: IMHO the buzz stop doesn't do anything that you couldn't achieve with just shimmimg the neck - the "downforce" effect on the bridge is the same. On some forums a Mustang bridge plus a buzz stop is called overkill...
Also the string gauge is one key factor with Mustangs and their short scale. I prefer Strats/Teles with a .009 set, but on short scale guitars that is often too light. A set of .011's is close to the same feel but gives more leeway with setups.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Fri Dec 26, 2014 12:49 pm
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:18 am
Posts: 6
To jmattis, no offense taken as to your question about my set -up skills . Better to ask then assume and I have already purchased a set of .10's ( I usually play on .09's ) and might go up to an .11 since the scale is ,as you point out ,so short. I did not think of re-setting the neck angle rather than getting a Buzz-Stop and that does sound like a good idea. I really don't want to add another part to the instrument as any thing non-original detracts from the guitar on several levels . I think I will try your idea and see if increased angle creates sufficient pressure on the strings to negate the need for an add-on . I'll try the re-set with the .10's and if it works leave it as such and if it does not then put on the .11's. Thanks for the suggestions and I shall post the results .


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Sat Dec 27, 2014 7:16 am
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
If that was my guitar, I'd start with shimming and those .010 strings.
If you've never done it, here's one set of instructions:
Shimming101 @ premierguitar.com

I don't agree on everything they say - e.g. I've never had problems with partial shims, compared to full sized ones (the Fender original shims sold as spare parts were partial shims...), and using a belt sander for a ~2"x~3" piece of wood is overkill... But you get a good overview of how to start.
You can try the effects with just about anything as a temporary shim, if you don't mind doing the job twice. The final shim, totally IMHO, should be wood.
About 1mm (~.040") shim on the bridge end of the neck pocket raises the neck angle at the bridge a little over 3 mm (~.13") , that probably is enough.


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 11:19 am
Offline
Hobbyist
Hobbyist

Joined: Mon Oct 13, 2014 9:18 am
Posts: 6
To jmattis and whoever else reads this ,again thanks for your interest and suggestions. I do have a partial neck shim in place already but either it was not of sufficient thickness to begin with or compressed over the years. Either way I will try another one before resorting to a different potential solution like the Buzz Stop. As an aside, I might have a professional do the shim work as the guitar does need a fret job and that is something I know is beyond my skill set.
With that in mind if anyone care to suggest a shop in the northern NJ area to do the frets and cut a new nut I would appreciate it.
Further,while we are on the subject of nuts, I will probable ask for a bone nut to be cut to match the new frets but,would like to hear opinions on the subject like any experience with synthetics nuts such as the graph tech tusq .
Additionally, suggestions about fret materials would be helpful.I have been told that guitar shops will generally not install stainless steel frets but that other durable but more tool friendly options do exits and I would also like to hear opinions on fret choices ,what size would be appropriate for a 'surf"guitar and more important what materials are now considered the best for durability as well as sound.
Thanks to everyone


Top
Profile
Post subject: Re: Replacement bridge for 69 Mustang
Posted: Tue Dec 30, 2014 12:55 pm
Offline
Rock Star
Rock Star

Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4240
You're very welcome, I try to help what little I can.

Some ramblings on your questions:
I consider myself a traditionalist, so it's bone nuts in all my own guitars. There's no logical reason for that; the TUSQ ones sound just as good - and the permanent lubricant can be helpful for big bender - lazy greaser types of players.

On fret material I'd, again, go old school - soundwise you know exactly what to expect. Stainless steel or "gold adamantium" or whatever may last longer, but hey - any good guitar deserves a fret job in every 40 years or so.
[Oh, if a luthier won't install SS frets, he'd better give good reasons for that (sound, tradition etc.) . If he avoids SS just because it's more work, choose another luthier.]

On fret size, I'd say your playing style is much more significant in what size to choose than the music style you play. If you have heavy hands, choose smaller frets, if you play light get the more modern ones. If you're very accurate in your fingering, you might even get away with real high frets, and color your surf with "pressure tremolo". The typical surf glides up and down the neck can be done with any size frets, only you can say if it's easier for you with S or L sized ones.


Top
Profile
Display posts from previous:  Sort by  
Post new topic Reply to topic  [ 12 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: