need some jag advice

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:38 pm

hey all,
after having a think about it, I'm gonna get a jag. i really like shortscale necks and really fallen for the charm of the jag.

a few questions i have is in regards to the bridge.

is it common practice to upgrade to a mustang bridge? i play a lot of lead stuff, so don't want strings popping out the bridge mid song. i use 11's if that helps.

and if i were to want to install a tune o matic bridge, how hard would it be?

got a lead on a CIJ 66 big block reissue going for Â£400

Post by **Doog** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:53 pm

I'd say go for a CP, but if you've tracked one down for cheeapz..

Fran · Post by **Fran** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:53 pm

The problem with fitting a TOM is it sits higher than the Jag/Stang bridge so you end up having to shim the neck. If do a permanent conversion you may just get away with reasonable height action.
Using a Stang bridge is a lazy solution, i dont care what anyone says. The Jaguar saddles offer more adjustment with the grub screws and the stang bridge is not exactly flawless anyway. You could opt for compensated mustang saddles which are more adjustable than the original ones.
With around 3 hours spent on setting a Jaguar bridge up it will be fine, i've always used the stock bridge and play lots of different styles with gauge 10 strings.
Personally i would be more concerned with upgrading some of the electronics especially the bridge pup.

Dice · Post by **Dice** » Sun Jul 12, 2009 11:57 pm

I happily use a Buzz-Stop - and don't care what the haters say!

I'm also running 11's.

hotrodperlmutter · Post by **hotrodperlmutter** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:00 am

mine has a stock bridge, and it works fine. granted i've had it 3 days, but i been playing my bedroom every night (i'm the house band) and shits ain't never jumped the saddle.

Post by **dots** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:13 am

DO NOT FIT WITH TOM BRIDGE unless you just like having a tom. i had one fitted on my avri shortly after buying because i'd heard it was the smart mod to make (this was before i discovered my shortscale brethren at that other site). i was constantly having intonation/action problems after the mod, and -- worse yet -- the shop i had do the work me really eff'd up the job and even kept the mounting cups from the old bridge. i rocked it that way for about a year (also put in a single-spaced humbucker and split the coils w/ push pull pot, and this mod was actually pretty cool) before putting back to factory setup.

anyway, i have no problem with mod'ing electronics, so long as everything you do is easily reversible. but -- back to the bridge -- the stock hardware is splendid as it is and looks spectacular. my jag hh special had a tom on it stock, so it, of course, worked really well and needed little to no adjustment whatsoever. so, long story short, get one of those if you have to have a tom bridge.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 12:28 am

not fussed about having a tom, just want to make sure the strings wont pop out the bridge or go out of tune when palm muting.
if i don't want to use the trem, will engaging the trem lock do this alone or will i have to block/tighten stuff.

I'm a complete jag noob

i was going to go for the CP, and was put off the big block due to price. but finding a big block for Â£400 will mean i can upgrade it later on. better than the Â£700 new asking price.

Post by **dots** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 1:30 am

Progrockabuse wrote:not fussed about having a tom, just want to make sure the strings wont pop out the bridge or go out of tune when palm muting.
if i don't want to use the trem, will engaging the trem lock do this alone or will i have to block/tighten stuff.

I'm a complete jag noob

i was going to go for the CP, and was put off the big block due to price. but finding a big block for Â£400 will mean i can upgrade it later on. better than the Â£700 new asking price.

i palm mute and play pretty hard (ask dogma hollow), and my strings don't move at all. i think you'll be fine. =]

Justin J · Post by **Justin J** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:39 am

i've never had a jag go out of tune from palm muting. you'd have to press really hard.

Dice · Post by **Dice** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:52 am

My strings came out of the saddle slots with heavy picking - but never from palm muting.

benecol · Post by **benecol** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 7:25 am

I'm clumsy like a dinosaur, and I never had much grief with my Jag; admittedly, I used 11's or 12's, but I liked the stock bridge. Â£400 really can't be sniffed at Rob, I'd jump at it, play it stock for a bit, then consider a Mustang bridge if necessary.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:08 am

I would be jealous of that Â£400 B&B if you got it (especially in Sunburst) as that was originally my object of desire after I sacked off the vintage Jaguar search, however when I played a Classic Player for the first time I know it made sense for me.

I also think if you're bending a lot the 9.5" radius neck might help you also as well as the TOM. I really like the Tune-o-matic setup my Jag has and it suits me as a player. I'm sloppy and fairly heavy handed and it spits back everything I throw at it. It's a great guitar.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 8:50 am

i'm gonna go and try this jag out, see if i get on with it. it'll mean i've got get rid of my strat somehow.

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:17 am

Hold off until Doogfest and you can play my CP Jag and see how you get on with it.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:20 am

i keep forgetting it not that far away? can't wait. i don't think i played a jag last time. what do the necks feel like? compared between a 65 stang and CP Jag

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:22 am

Well I have both those necks because I have a 65 neck on my Duo-Sonic, they're both really similar in that they're not thin and have some nice heft to them. The Jag has a marginally flatter radius but a similar profile. I would say they are very similar.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:24 am

that's kinda what i'm after, something similar to the stang, but on a jag.

should i go a look at the B&B anyway? i've also got a lead on a Â£325 baja tele in desert sand

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:33 am

Sure there's no harm in going to have a look and a play. Knowledge is power.

Progrockabuse · Post by **Progrockabuse** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:41 am

it's sunburst too!

Post by **Mike** » Mon Jul 13, 2009 9:42 am

Bastard.

If it's new Â£400 is a great price. Second hand, not so much, but I guess they are in demand.

I love the B&B look but it's just a cosmetic thing, I can live without it for the benefits the CP has for my playing style (and the much better pickups)