Jagmaster woes

D34dBaWx · Post by **D34dBaWx** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:14 am

So I was having a bit of a problem with tuning stability on my jagmaster. I figured most of the problem was probably strings binding in the nut. It didn't seem to be a intonation problem as I could get it tuned, it just wopuldn't stay that way.....I tried to clean out the slots a little. Well evidently I took out to much and now the strings are buzzing pretty bad. The strings still seem to be binding, and the slots are to low. I guess I should replace the nut. I will have a tech do the work this time. I was going to order a tusq nut but don't which one to order. I don't have a way to accurately measure it. I really like this guitars sounds and everything but it is sooooo frustrating. It's a current production version of the jagmaster. Could anyone help me out with what the nut width is? And offer a little encouragement. Thanks guys

ekwatts · Post by **ekwatts** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:21 am

42mm. It's on the Squier website.

SKC Willie · Post by **SKC Willie** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:22 am

I always put a little chapstick in the nut. you can also do the same thing by coloring the slots with mechanical pencil. the graphite helps.

Those Jagmasters have cheap tuners, so if you're still having problems after the nut change, that's what I would recommend. I'm pretty sure if you have a legit tech fix it, you won't have a problem.

D34dBaWx · Post by **D34dBaWx** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:23 am

Awesome. I am a idiot. Thanks

D34dBaWx · Post by **D34dBaWx** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 7:25 am

portugalwillie wrote:I always put a little chapstick in the nut. you can also do the same thing by coloring the slots with mechanical pencil. the graphite helps.

Those Jagmasters have cheap tuners, so if you're still having problems after the nut change, that's what I would recommend. I'm pretty sure if you have a legit tech fix it, you won't have a problem.

I am not to impressed with the tuners either. I have owned squiers before with decent ones, but these a very blah. I have had this guitar for about a month, and tonite was the first time I used it with the band. It sounded good and all but tunning was a problem. Sucked ass

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 9:47 am

Okay here's my best guesses - it sounds like you've taken the slots down too low. You can do a temporary and quite effective repair job by supergluing tiny strips of plastic in there...just like from the lid of some margerine or butter. You could also build it up with liquid plastic that dries hard and re-file. Either way would get you by in the interim or for as long you like. The top E in my old strat had this fix in it for 3 years!

As to the Tuners - sure a better set will help but if they happen to have screws in the button top give them a gentle tighten, not so much they are a bitch to tune but just so they feel firm. I've read that this makes no difference to tuning stability but I still do it and it seems to help.

Other tips include learning to set up and adjust your Bridge and truss rod. Google this and experiment - it is a subtle thing but if you. If its a jagmaster then it's a strat type bridge - are the springs any good? Does it feel loose? Buzzing strings might be caused by too much backwards bow on the neck.

Lastly when you string the guitar up avoid having a million loops around the peg. You can get away with literally one or two on the bass strings and maybe two or three on the top strings. This give less capacity for stretching over time.

+1 on treating the nut slots with graphite from a pencil, maybe even mixed with a tiny bit of vaseline or chapstick (not loads!) and also do this where the string travels under the string tree

D34dBaWx · Post by **D34dBaWx** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:42 pm

Thanks for the tips man. I really feel like the buzzing is by fault of my own. It didn't do it before I tried to cure the binding in the nut. I will try to build the slot back up some.
I have the bridge decked out. I don't use the trem at all. The intonation was pretty good on it. The problem seems to be coming from the headstock end. I think crappy tuners and the nut are the problem. And now the nut is more of a problem. I just made things worse. I just live so far away from any sort of a tech and I thought I would try. It's a learning experience.

GreenKnee · Post by **GreenKnee** » Mon Jan 10, 2011 6:46 pm

I had to do this, but only for 1 string on my jagstang, and it worked perfect and I havent had any problems since.

The cure came from a forum member, so who ever you may be, thanks again!

I masked out the neck and headstock with masking tape to prevent anything from accidently dripping onto them. I then placed into the nut slot a small amount of baking powder, pressed it in slightly so that it would stay in the slot, but not so that it was squashed in completely. The nut slot was now around half full of baking powder. I then covered the baking with superglue, and allowed to dry for 2 minutes minimum. This combo sets stupidly hard for what it is.

I tried it initially trying to make a batch up of baking powder and superglue and then pasting it into the slot, but the stuff dried so quickly I had to do it the other way mentioned above.

So I would do this to all the slots, and file down the slots as necessary

Jack