Problem with bridge grooves

yingski

I've got a jaguar and did the bridge change for a mustang bridge, suppose to be better and solve all of lifes problems but....... since i changed it i'm constantly knocking the low E string out of the groove, it's really so annoying because seems like no one else has this problem ☹

Can someone tell me what might be causing this problem. I'm considering just filing the groove so that it's deeper but i just don't get why no one else seems to have this problem!! Maybe i'm doing something wrong?? Also one more thing, how do you adjust the neck on this guitar?? I only see a funny opening at the base of the neck but i don't get how that is suppose to work.

Thanks.

AnotherTool

Hi.

What gauge strings do you use? I'm betting that's the reason for your string jumping out the bridge. Don't go filing anything, if you just file it, unless you do a really good job, they'll be shap edges and you'll start breaking low E's like crazy.

I'm not entirely sure what you mean about adjusting the neck.

You can place a shim, some card or something under the butt of the neck to force it up, this will give you an even action if your action is low up the headstock end and high down the body end.

The truss rod adjustment screw is located in the bottom of the neck, where it meets the body, so you need to unscrew the neck screws and take the neck off to get at it, adjust it like you would a strat, it works the exact same way apart from you use a screwdriver instead of an allen key.

I hope this helps, the more info you can give the better chance you have of someone helping you out.

yingski

I've still got the stock strings on there, i guess they are 10's. I normally use 11's myself and i was planning to just try and change the low E and see if that helps..... some how i'm a little doubtful because although that will increase the string tension, it is also a fatter string and the groove seems too shallow even for the string that's on there right now........

As for the neck, do you mean that i have to actually unbolt it in order to get to the truss rod?? That seems so scary! But yes it's at the base of the neck and only halfway visible so i guess theres no trick to adjusting it without loosening the neck from the body ☹

Thanks for replying btw 😀

nirvana23freak

if their the factory stock strings their most likely 9's. id change the strings see if that helps. and yes you have to take the neck off for truss rod adjustments, its not bad. just make the strings really loose and unscrew the neck, make the adjustments you think are appropriate, and put it back on. Redo that another time if its not right.

Hope you get this figured out!

AnotherTool

He's right, changing strings sorts out all manner of problems, go change them.

It's kinda funny how you changed the bridge to a mustang one but the guitar still has the factory strings on it.

Fran

Good advice from Tool. Get some 10's or preferably 11's on there and see how you go.

I haet mustang bridges.

The best solution i found was stick with the stock Jaguar bridge and adjust the last saddle grub screw (on top E saddle) so that the saddle is higher at the bottom.

It will not affect string height and considering more force is naturally applied on a downstroke when playing guitar it stops you knocking the string off.

Other things to consider are:

1/ Filing a deeper slot (three strokes of a needle file will be enough) remove rough edges with emery cloth.

2/ Increasing the angle in which the strings go over the bridge to the trem. A buzzstop helps with this but usually it is'nt needed.

Shimming the neck is a last resort. Basically it will enable you to higher the bridge whilst keeping low action, thus increasing tension/angle over the saddles.

yingski

hey thanks for the advice guys. I was actually kind of lazy when i changed the bridge so i just loosened the strings and eased the bridge out and changed it. I didn't want to throw away perfectly new strings..... even though to me they felt like playing on rubber bands in the beginning!! I'm more used to it now but i will change them for 11's soon. I hope that will solve the problem other wise i will have to try the file. I don't have a needle file... what is that actually?? I do have some really fine fret files though so i thought maybe that might work.

I actually changed the bridge because the jaguar bridge was just eating my hand. I tend to like to rest my hand on the bridge at times and it's super annoying on that jaguar bridge.

Fran

A triangular file is what you will need, needle files are just fine files, fret file may be okay if it has a pointed edge.

I use a lot of palm mutes and rest my hand around the bridge as well. The best way around the discomfort is to lower the whole bridge then raise the saddles to the height you need the strings. That way the grub screws will be seated in their holes (not sticking out) and it will also make them more stable instead of coming loose all the time. It allows the common modification of dropping a small blob of clear nail varnish on top of the screw to keep it 'fixed' as well.

yingski

Ok i've put on a heavier E string but now it seems like it's so fat that it's not "in" the groove at all but just sort of on top and it won't be all that hard to whack it out again. Its rather sucky but i think i will have to file. I do have triangular fret files so i guess i will have my hand at that unless someone has a better idea. I have to gig with this guitar in a little more then a week so i hope to have this problem solved before that time.

AnotherTool

Well if you have to file, once you've done, run a cotton wool ball around the saddle. Any wool that gets caught on the saddle will highlight any sharp areas you have.