Regarding the rocking bridge on Mustang

glitchathon · Post by **glitchathon** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 6:12 am

So as we know, the Mustang bridge pivots and does so by design (to work effectively with the vibrato).

When putting a new set of strings on, does anyone have issues with the bridge not being perfectly at its "center point" and thus affecting intonation slightly? It seems the past few times I have restrung, the intonation may have been a bit off from before (though it is slight). Since the bridge is never at the exact same spot.

The bridge is currently oh so slightly tilted towards the neck. Like if you look from the side, you'll see it tilt forward very slightly. Trying to get it at its center point seems to be an exercise in frustration. Does anyone manage to get it at its perfect center point or is it not necessary?

MattK · Post by **MattK** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 8:59 am

You could always slide something flat underneath, between the bridge and the plate, to hold it parallel to the plate while you string it up.

Usually after I restring my Jag, before I get it up to full tension, I grab both ends of the bridge between thumb and forefinger, and jiggle it back and forth, towards and way from the bridge, a few times, then end up in the middle. Once you've done it a few times you get a feel for where to stop.

Post by **Doog** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 9:13 am

Most people put insulation tape around the posts to prevent this movement; I've done so with my Jazzmaster and it doesn't interfere with tremolo arm usage at all, even with a Buzzstop adding more of an angle and therefore tension.

I'd just recommend doing that and setting the intonation for one final time

Mustang Melx · Post by **Mustang Melx** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 10:56 am

I just push mine back as far as it will go, I only ever use a downward motion on the trem arm so the bridge only needs to move forward ... I find it works much better than any other way I've tried, it's much easier to set the intonation and will return to pitch much better.

Ankhanu · Post by **Ankhanu** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:08 am

I have noticed this with my Jag as well... What I ended up doing is replacing one string at at time; the other 5 strings keep the bridge in place without worrying about readjusting. Of course, you might have to adjust its position for intonating anyway.

Mages · Post by **Mages** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 11:16 am

I've noticed that the bridge on the jazzmaster stays put way more than the mustang. the mustang always moves forward as you said.

glitchathon · Post by **glitchathon** » Fri Mar 26, 2010 3:45 pm

MatthewK wrote:You could always slide something flat underneath, between the bridge and the plate, to hold it parallel to the plate while you string it up.

Usually after I restring my Jag, before I get it up to full tension, I grab both ends of the bridge between thumb and forefinger, and jiggle it back and forth, towards and way from the bridge, a few times, then end up in the middle. Once you've done it a few times you get a feel for where to stop.

Cool I might try sliding something underneath.

I tried reducing tension and jiggling but it went forward again as a tightened, so I guess it just takes a bit of experience.

I may try tape to see if it interferes with trem use. That would be the easiest solution.