cclowend Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Hi all,[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I am drinking beer and about to mod my MIM Fender Jazz with a Gotoh bridge.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I am no tech guy so need advice.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]If I change the string gauge, will I need to change the saddle height? I am currently happy with the action.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]I know a gauge change will need the intonation adjusting, any guidance would be great.[/color][/size][/font] [font="Calibri"][size="3"][color="#000000"]Ta.[/color][/size][/font] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Number6 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 Mmmmm beer :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funky8884 Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 I guess the different string gauge will be the same distance from the fretboard but may oscillate smaller or larger reducing or increasing clearance to the frets , Just my thoughts as I drink some swill ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 The saddle height might need changing dependent on the difference in plate thickness of the new bridge. I'd enjoy the booze and leave the modding to another day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Musky Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 If you're changing the bridge won't you have to set the action anyway? I feel I'm missing something here, but that's increasingly becoming a permanent state of affairs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 He he, maybe I will focus on the beer and give it a go tomorrow. Sound advice! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 17, 2014 Author Share Posted April 17, 2014 I have measured the string height from the body so the action will hopefully be the same. I was just wondering if the heavier strings will bow the neck at all? I really know nothing about neck adjustment!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Billy Apple Posted April 17, 2014 Share Posted April 17, 2014 The new strings might change your neck relief, however that is a truss rod issue, not bridge Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Yes. I might put a card shim under the neck whilst the strings are off. The saddles are very low on the screws but still very high. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
geoham Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 (edited) [quote name='cclowend' timestamp='1397810490' post='2427540'] Yes. I might put a card shim under the neck whilst the strings are off. The saddles are very low on the screws but still very high. [/quote] I had to do this when I fitted my Gotoh, easy job and works a treat. Edited April 21, 2014 by geoham Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 I haven't shimmed it. I am scared. At the mo the E is a little quiet, the G is a little buzzy on the 17th and I think putting a shim in the mix will create chaos. The saddles are as low as they can go. Help!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Balcro Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 Try this link- http://support.fender.com/manuals/instruments/Fender_BassGuitars_manual_%282011%29_English.pdf Balcro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chrismuzz Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 My best friend once got very drunk and tried to fit a floyd rose to his guitar using a screwdriver and a rolling pin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Good lad!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip_ Posted April 18, 2014 Share Posted April 18, 2014 got a gotoh 201 on my short-scale gretsch and it's a very nice piece of kit. it does leave your strings high because of the thickness of the bottom of the bridge - seen a few people saying it - but personally i like that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 18, 2014 Author Share Posted April 18, 2014 Yeah, I play my four string hard so it probably best its high. The sound difference is noticeable. A little wider I would say. Looks great and the G doesn't drift. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the boy Posted April 19, 2014 Share Posted April 19, 2014 [quote name='cclowend' timestamp='1397835756' post='2427808'] I haven't shimmed it. I am scared. At the mo the E is a little quiet, the G is a little buzzy on the 17th and I think putting a shim in the mix will create chaos. The saddles are as low as they can go. Help!!!!! [/quote] Big girl....., get on with it. There's a topic in here somewhere about shimming the neck. It's easy. Once shimmed start again with your setup. You will find that it's a big improvement for a little effort. I'm not a fan of gotoh bridges but if you are going to fit one you need to see it through and make it work. "The moral of the story is I chose a half measure when I should have gone all the way. I'll never make that mistake again. No more half measures, Walter." Breaking bad quote, not really relevant but very cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 20, 2014 Author Share Posted April 20, 2014 Shim done. Not as painful as I thought. Saddles back up and neck fettled. Back on the beer after trying to sus out the flappy noise from one of my 4.5 xl drivers. Two months old and already sounds crap. Hartke.........I give up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stompbox Posted April 20, 2014 Share Posted April 20, 2014 Well done - but never mind all that - thanks to Balcro for the link to the Fender manual that I've now downloaded & saved - excellent, and thanks again!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steve-bbb Posted April 22, 2014 Share Posted April 22, 2014 Is it the big chunky gotoh bridge? I got one of these and sunk it into the body so the baseplate sits flush with the body. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 22, 2014 Author Share Posted April 22, 2014 Yes. Now that's impressive. I thought about that but haven't got a router. Post a pic if you will. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dr.Dave Posted April 23, 2014 Share Posted April 23, 2014 [quote name='cclowend' timestamp='1398170197' post='2431099'] Yes. Now that's impressive. I thought about that but haven't got a router. Post a pic if you will. [/quote] You mean you don't have a router like the ones that Argos sell - which of course are covered by a 16 day no quibble money back guarantee should you not find the item to be suitable. Just saying ! Should you decide to embark on such skulduggery - leave off the Kentish Ale in fact should you wish to get temptation out of your reach please forward it to ......I'm yer best mate , me , no 'onest PLC - 1, The Skip - Wakefield. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cclowend Posted April 23, 2014 Author Share Posted April 23, 2014 Skulduggery and quibble are to be used in vocal abundance today. Might even shoehorn them into some lyrics later. Argos are going to get a visit. By the way that address is fruitless on google maps. Can't I email the beer to you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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