ShortScale.org

After seeing Black International live, I got some extreme 'bound and blocked Jaguar jelly'. So today, it has been fixed.
New Jaguar Day!! 66RI.....


And the triplets.....

Forgot to ask, I intebd to change the bridge on this one. What do you guys think is the best replacement, and where can I get one. (Preferably UK)
I'd also like to stick on one of those bridge covers.

Nice, just like mine
Bridge pickup is a tad weak, you might want to replace it with something better.

I recently put a Mustang bridge with cover on mine; works pretty well, but, really, I had no issues with the stock bridge. Got them via eBay, ~$10 each.

Excellent. Exactly how I want my one to look.

shit, expensive gig!

stewart wrote:shit, expensive gig!

Next time I see you guys, please don't take the Coronado......

Very nice!

Fran wrote:Very nice!

Thanks. So far I am very happy with it.
Encountered one thing I found odd. I tried to put it in the case for my KC Jaguar. The KC Jaguar fits perfectly, but when I put this one in it, the neck does not fit exactly into the recess in the case. I thought these guitars would be exactly the same. Tried removing the straps, and that didn't help. Never thought to try my other Jag in it, or my KC in the other Jag's case.

Interesting... Mine fits perfectly into my SKB Jag/Jazzie case.

Nice guitar

DasBeef wrote:Encountered one thing I found odd. I tried to put it in the case for my KC Jaguar. The KC Jaguar fits perfectly, but when I put this one in it, the neck does not fit exactly into the recess in the case. I thought these guitars would be exactly the same. Tried removing the straps, and that didn't help. Never thought to try my other Jag in it, or my KC in the other Jag's case.

The KC one's got a different headstock to a "normal" Jag hasn't it? Maybe it's slightly shorter? Strange that they created a special case for it though.

DasBeef wrote:Forgot to ask, I intebd to change the bridge on this one. What do you guys think is the best replacement, and where can I get one. (Preferably UK)
I'd also like to stick on one of those bridge covers.

I have Graphtech Tusq saddles on my jazzmaster, they're pretty good - no string jumping like the stock bridge, can be height adjusted unlike the mustang saddles and cost nowhere near as much as a mastery. I also have a spare set.

Woo woo, jag party! I especially love your '94 gold hardware jag, though I can't believe how gold the hardware still is. I flipped a trem unit from one of those a few years back and it was just barely yellowish.

That gold hardware Jaguar is so pretty.

So I got some saddles from johnnyseven, (cheer again) and I've flung them on. I'm embarrassed to admit I've never sorted the action or intonation on a guitar before, so I had a stab. Didn't go too wel and the thing isn't playing how it used to. So how do you guys set up your Jags?

What issues is the current set up giving you?

The saddles don't look like they're in the usual formation for optimal intonation on first impression

The action seems high, string heights look obviously different, and I can't get the 6th string to intonate at all. Moving forwards and backwards seems to give completely random results.
As I said I've never done this before. I started off with the saddles as low as they could go without the string touching the screw or bridge behind it. I then raised the entire bridge until at least one sting would sound all the way up the frets without buzzing. I then adjusted the heights of the remaining strings, and attempted intonation. 1st and 5th string seem really high, while the 6th seems awfully low. Just not right. How would you suggest I do it?
I read about a method with clearance gauges, but I don't have any. Do I need to invest in these to do this job properly? Will deleting system 32 help?

This is what mine looks like currently:


Set up, I've taken this approach:
.: raise saddles as high as is reasonable, matching the radius of the neck as close as possible (look down the neck from time to time)
.: adjust whole bridge height to reach desired action (visual and feel... no tools)
.: check for fret buzz on each string, raise string as required to remove if found; lower string if it feels a little higher than desired.

And intonation:
.: use NEW strings (it'll be all over the place with old strings)
.: Rock bridge all the way to the tail, then adjust a degree or two back to the neck so that it's not quite verticle, favouring the tail side
---- this is a personal preference of mine to ensure the strings (low E specifically) definitely ring free of hitting the edge of the bridge cover), and the bridge can rock in both directions freely.
.: tune strings to open pitch
.: test each string at 12th fret
---- If note is sharp, move saddle towards tail
---- If note is flat, move saddle towards neck

That should be about it. There's a bit of play involved, and getting a feel for things, but that's part of the fun, exploring how things interact. When intonating, new stings and an accurate and fast tuner are key... but you can intonate with pretty much any decent enough tuner; a TU-2 will do the trick.

Thanks for that. All pretty much makes sense. I'm using a Polytune Mini to try to intonate it, and I slapped some new strings on at the same time. Didn't realise I could rock the bridge a bit. Maybe that's why I couldn't get the 6th string intonated. I couldn't get the saddle far enough back. Shall have another play with it and see how I go. If I get nowhere I may take it to a pro. Anyone got any recommendations for someone in the Edinburgh area?

If you're gonna be in Glasgow in the near future I could set it up for you.

Thomas wrote:If you're gonna be in Glasgow in the near future I could set it up for you.

Mighty kind offer, but I don't think I'll make it through anytime soon. Busy schedule ahead.
I'm going to give it another go and see how I do. If that doesn't work out I may call on your services at a later date.