Jaguar String Popping + Intonation

Space_Expert · Post by **Space_Expert** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:04 am

The low E string on my Jaguar keeps popping out when I finger pick. Also, when I play chords above the 12th fret they sound a bit flat. How do I remedy these problems?

If it helps to know, my Jaguar has a mustang bridge, and the shop I took it into had the bridge saddles sort of messed up and strings were popping out left and right. I tried adjusting the saddles so the strings didn't keep popping out, but the low E still gives me trouble.

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:26 am

i use the stock bridge, but i raise it very high and then shim the neck. i never have any string popping.

Space_Expert · Post by **Space_Expert** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 2:49 am

How high should I raise the bridge, and how do you shim the neck? I don't know what shimming is.

cobascis · Post by **cobascis** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 3:09 am

Shimming is when you put something between the neck and the neck pocket, and then screw it down so there is space between the neck and the pocket. This enables you to raise the bridge for a better string angle but your action won't be really high.

http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/nckshim.htm

Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:42 am

Space_Expert wrote:How high should I raise the bridge, and how do you shim the neck? I don't know what shimming is.

You can use a pick. I used a orange tortex when i shimmed my Jaguar's neck.
Only problem now, there is a massive gap between the pickups and the strings.

Kinda worried about raising the pickups any higher incase i damage the body

greenweenie · Post by **greenweenie** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:37 am

Or you can get a Mustang bridge or the reinforced Mustang bridge from Warmoth. I use the reinforced one since it has individual intonation screws.

toez10 · Post by **toez10** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 6:43 pm

the low e popping out was the only drawback to my 76 jazzmaster. Raise the bridge as much as you can. I recently played with the buzz stop, and that seemed to help.

Space_Expert · Post by **Space_Expert** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:15 pm

greenweenie wrote:Or you can get a Mustang bridge or the reinforced Mustang bridge from Warmoth. I use the reinforced one since it has individual intonation screws.

It's already got the normal Mustang Bridge on it. Would the modified Mustang bridge mess with the guitar at all?

purplehaze19x · Post by **purplehaze19x** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 10:42 pm

Space_Expert wrote:
greenweenie wrote:Or you can get a Mustang bridge or the reinforced Mustang bridge from Warmoth. I use the reinforced one since it has individual intonation screws.
It's already got the normal Mustang Bridge on it. Would the modified Mustang bridge mess with the guitar at all?

No. it has ajustable mustang saddles. I,m thinking about getting one for myself.

aen · Post by **aen** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 2:03 am

Buzz stop works wonders for me. Nice avatar, BTW.

greenweenie · Post by **greenweenie** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:30 am

Space_Expert wrote:
greenweenie wrote:Or you can get a Mustang bridge or the reinforced Mustang bridge from Warmoth. I use the reinforced one since it has individual intonation screws.
It's already got the normal Mustang Bridge on it. Would the modified Mustang bridge mess with the guitar at all?

No. Mine was literally a drop in replacement.

greenweenie · Post by **greenweenie** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 3:31 am

purplehaze19x wrote:
Space_Expert wrote:
greenweenie wrote:Or you can get a Mustang bridge or the reinforced Mustang bridge from Warmoth. I use the reinforced one since it has individual intonation screws.
It's already got the normal Mustang Bridge on it. Would the modified Mustang bridge mess with the guitar at all?
No. it has ajustable mustang saddles. I,m thinking about getting one for myself.

It's excellent. It's handy to be able to individually adjust the height of each saddle rather than just the treble or bass side as a whole. I did shave off some of the intonation screw from the low E since it almost touches the string. Almost meaning less than 2mm.

George · Post by **George** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:23 pm

This might help. Worth doing before spending any money or doing something drastic.

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Noirie. · Post by **Noirie.** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 1:28 pm

aen wrote:Buzz stop works wonders for me.

+1 Made everything alot more stable. I'm using a Jag bridge modded by Fran, no problems at all with this setup.

Space_Expert · Post by **Space_Expert** » Sun Jan 17, 2010 3:07 am

I got the low E string to stop popping out of the saddle. I brought my guitar in for a setup and the guy who does the setups cut a square sized piece of pick and put it under the saddle, effectively raising it up so I can finger pick to my heart's content without any problems. However, I also upped the gauge of strings I had been using from 11 - 52 Dean Markleys to 12 - 52 D'Addario. Both are roundwounds, and I got the larger top end because I'd break high Es and Bs and the 12 and 16 stopped me from breaking them while still allowing me to do bends.

However, I've had issue with the wound G string. I love how it feels and sounds, but I couldn't bend it a full step without it popping out of the nut. The tech filed a larger groove in the nut, and yesterday it seemed to work fine for 1 step bends (my fingers couldn't handle any more, and I don't think the guitar could) on every fret except frets 2 - 4 on the G string. They tried fixing it again, and it didn't work; it still pops out when I do 1 step bends on that string between frets 2 and 4. How do I fix it? I love my Jaguar, but this is a major problem for me.

TieDye · Post by **TieDye** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:09 pm

Wander over to www.masterybridge.com This IS the solution!

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:35 pm

TieDye wrote:Wander over to www.masterybridge.com This IS the solution!

there's a few threads that cover this here and at offset where opinions are a little more mixed with first hand reviews and stuff - have you tried one out? What's the pros and cons?

TieDye · Post by **TieDye** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:43 pm

Yes, I have a friend who bought one and I installed it, set it all up. Great stuff! I can hardly wait to get one ordered for myself.

TieDye · Post by **TieDye** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:44 pm

Just make sure you get the right one for the job, a mustang, jag, etc.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Mon Jan 18, 2010 6:54 pm

TieDye wrote:Just make sure you get the right one for the job, a mustang, jag, etc.

I'm not sure what you're saying here? There are only 2 kinds of Mastery bridges - ones that fit Japanese Fenders and ones that fit American Fenders.
And I'm sure I've said this before but $179 for a bridge?! Fuck that.
I'll get one when I order that amber switch tip.