Top e string easily flips over edge of neck while playing

snilbert

Hi there,

I recently got a Crafted in Japan Jaguar. I'm really enjoying it, and getting to know the idiosyncrasies of the Jag. From reading up on the net I've learned that there are a few Jaguar hang-ups that some people can't abide without making modifications.

I'm fine with the rattling strings and strange harmonics from behind the bridge. But one thing I'm not too fond of is the way the high E-string can easily be bumped over the side of the neck when I'm playing, usually if i'm barring the strings with my index finger while trying to do a hammer-on with my ring or little finger. If I'm really careful not to move my hand too much while coming down to play on the E-string then it won't happen, but I don't want to be too careful!

Is this common, and how can I rectify it? From what I've gathered it could be caused by the string moving too easily on the bridge. Being a Japanese bridge, I've heard that the grooves aren't as deep as an American-made one, so would getting an American one fix it?

The other possibility is the strings might be too light. The guitar still has the strings on it from the shop which I'm pretty sure are 9s, they're really easy to bend. Would putting on heavier strings (I'm thinking 11s) stop it from doing this?

Any advice would be much appreciated.

ZZZ

11's and mustang bridge is quick solution - and you'll probably need a bit setup adjustion

Fran

File a groove in the saddle or try highering the saddle via the grub screw on the lower side.

Most players use more force on downstrokes, so the saddle being higher on that side stops the string jumping off. It also does'nt really affect string height.

No offence to this poster, but the amount of years we've been answering these questions... sigh, there really should be a Jaguar set up sticky or an obvious link that new people will spot easily. No wonder Rick left, i bet he went out of his mind 😆

snilbert

No offence taken, but I searched the FAQs and I did a search for "top e string" and "high e string" and didn't get back any posts where people talk about the string falling off the edge of the fretboard. Most talk about string buzzing.

Thanks for your reply though, I'll give it a go.

cartmanr0cks

It shouldn't flip over the side of the fretboard, even if it pops off the saddle. I might be wrong, but it sounds to me like groove in the nut isn't deep enough. Don't listen to me though, I could be wrong

Fran

How hard you hitting the strings 😕

snilbert

Thanks all for your replies.

I've put on heavier strings now and the problem has pretty much stopped. I think I'm not used to really light strings, plus when I spoke to the guy where I bought the guitar from, he said the Jaguar neck is quite curved compared to most. So probably a combination of both.

Now putting on the heavier strings I've discovered the rattles I've heard a lot about. At first I was worried, but when I played through an amp I couldn't hear the rattle any more, so I'm not too worried. Are most people worried about the rattle because it supposedly indicates the strings won't ring as long?

I have a couple of further questions: I know you can get rid of rattles by heightening the strings which you can do on the bridge using your tiny allen key, so my question is, is it bad to have all your strings at different heights (ie. does it make it a lot harder to play or to get clean sound out of each when barring more than one)? And do the saddles need to be flat, ie. both screws screwed to the same height?

THanks.

snilbert

Hi there,

Don't worry about answering my last questions - I've since found out the answers!