Decided on my first Offset/Shortscale (New issue arises)

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Mon Jul 25, 2011 10:50 pm

Medicine Melancholy wrote:
Dave wrote:Also MM - what's that sort of Tele looking guitar you're playing in the live sets?
First Act Sheena. It's a pretty nice guitar.

Got any pics dude?

Medicine Melancholy · Mon Jul 25, 2011 11:32 pm

Fran wrote:
Medicine Melancholy wrote:
Dave wrote:Also MM - what's that sort of Tele looking guitar you're playing in the live sets?
First Act Sheena. It's a pretty nice guitar.
Got any pics dude?

There's some pics of my with my guitar but I have a horrible manface in one of them.

http://www.drop-d.ie/photos-bitwise-ope ... -kid/17329

Mine is a HH as opposed to the SH they normally ship in, so it's a bit special. It's nice and somewhat Jangly while still being thick enough for a good metal tone.

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:12 am

I really love the look of the black CP Jazzmaster.

It's so classy. Wish one of the CP jags came in a colour scheme like that, though the chrome might mess it up a bit.

But after listening to clips, I think I prefer the sound of the Jag. Some day I'll have both!

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 8:43 am

Medicine Melancholy wrote:I really love the look of the black CP Jazzmaster.

It's so classy. Wish one of the CP jags came in a colour scheme like that, though the chrome might mess it up a bit.

But after listening to clips, I think I prefer the sound of the Jag. Some day I'll have both!

I had one of these but I didn't like the pickups or the tune-o-matic. It did look great though.

Medicine Melancholy · Tue Jul 26, 2011 12:42 pm

Yeah, if I get one of the offsets I'll probably replace the bridge with a roller bridge.

I like the distorted sounds of the CP JM but I prefer the Jag for cleans/low gain.

johnnyseven · Post by **johnnyseven** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 1:10 pm

It was the string spacing I didn't like about the bridge, regular Jag/JM bridges have the strings spaced a little wider apart which I like. I assume a roller bridge will have the same spacing as a tune-o-matic but if that doesn't matter to you it shouldn't be an issue.

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 2:42 pm

Ah, I was mostly thinking of the Trem action.

Will any of the GFS bridges fit out of interest?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 3:31 pm

I'm sure I've seen people dropping the standard Jag/jazz/stang bridges right into the TOM thimbles or at worst pulling them and swapping over

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Tue Jul 26, 2011 6:50 pm

I think the CPs use different spacing though? So it wouldn't intonate right.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 8:04 am

Medicine Melancholy wrote:I think the CPs use different spacing though? So it wouldn't intonate right.

Nah it's the scale length that impacts intonation - string spacing only effects how the strings are spaced on the neck as such - it's all cool.

Hope I'm not teaching to suck eggs but essentially there's three things to concern yourself with: Scale length (that neck bridge placement are calibrated correctly to make the right length of scale, That Nut and bridge string spacing make the strings spread across the fretboard in an even playable way, finally that the fretboard radius is reflected in the radius of the bridge.

As an example A dude here or at offset had a CP SS but wanted a vintage 7.25 radius instead of the CP 9.5. He put on a 7.25 Japanese Jag neck and popped in a mustang bridge (which is is likewise 7.25). Job done essentially with minimal fuss.

I think the thing to take on board is that I'm guessing you'll be like me in that the need to tinker in pursuit of that ilusive pefect set up will take hold whatever you get... So in a sense why not just go with it because it can be a lot of fun. It can get frustrating too but I love tinkering.

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:39 pm

So I can just drop in a GFS Roller Bridge without issue then?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 2:55 pm

The CP?

This one: yes (according to several posters on Offset)

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Roller-Brid ... p_661.html

This one: No (personal experience - hoever this will drop into Japnese jags as proven by EKWatts of this forum))

http://www.guitarfetish.com/Wilkinson-B ... p_866.html

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 3:51 pm

Is it true it helps with String Breakage? Seems like a good investment either way.

George · Post by **George** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 4:46 pm

They won't be the right radius though, if that matters to you.

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 5:25 pm

George wrote:They won't be the right radius though, if that matters to you.

no worse than the AOM on there in the first place - Mine is definitely not 9.5

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:06 pm

Does that mean the CPs have intonation issues? Is there a roller bridge with 9.5" Radius? Maybe the ones that come with the GFS offsets?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:46 pm

Medicine Melancholy wrote:Does that mean the CPs have intonation issues? Is there a roller bridge with 9.5" Radius? Maybe the ones that come with the GFS offsets?

no no the radius nor string spacing are a factor. As far as I'm aware there are no 9.5 roller bridges I've found which is extremely frustrating for someone as anal as me for set up BUT that being said it's not a massive difference and most folks don't mind at all. With a TOM you can file the saddles down to match but not easily with a roller bridge really. The best solution I came up with is the Wilkinson roller bridge you could probably stick washers under the centre saddles to approximate a 9.5....BUT of course without redrilling the thimble holes it won't drop on a CP...

Basically no one caters for my needs OR I'm a finicky fuck.

Medicine Melancholy · Post by **Medicine Melancholy** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 6:55 pm

So what difference does the spacing mismatch make? Why is it an issue?

Dave · Post by **Dave** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:05 pm

Medicine Melancholy wrote:So what difference does the spacing mismatch make? Why is it an issue?

Only if you prefer one spacing over another! There's not going to be much more than a Gnats cockwidth in it really. The widths of the neck at the heel end are pretty consistent enough to not end up with outer strings stupidly too close or far from the edges to worry about it.

George · Post by **George** » Wed Jul 27, 2011 7:08 pm

Loads of Fenders I've come across have fucked string spacing that isn't anywhere near symmetrical. They're not, and don't need to be, as exact as you'd think.