What Strings for Jazzmaster

jmallard

Hi,

New guy here.

After a 40 year lay-off, finally got my Jazzmaster out and trying to learn how to play all over again. 😀

What brand of strings and gauge of strings do most folks use; also roundwound or flatwound ?

Thanks.

Jerry

foxyloxy

It all depends on what you like really, i like a high string tension because i use drop tunings and like to "fight" my guitar. Start off with .10 to .46 or .11 .50. as for flat V round most people on here play rock music so it's roundwound all the way. flatwound is more of a jazz thing imo.

Make sure you check the intonation up on the 12th fret. Check out this guide, a well setup guitar can make all the difference.

http://www.alphabetcityblog.com/2008/02/fender-jazzmaster-setup-and-maintenance.html

Good Luck Jerry, I hope you enjoy playing! PS i would love to see some gear porn.

jmallard

foxyloxy,

Thanks for the reply.

I'm only playing on my acoustic right now. My Fender Showman Reverb head is in the shop for repairs. ☹

I currently have .10 to .46 D'Addario roundwound strings on it now. Just wondering if other folks have a favorite brand.

Gear Porn:

Thanks for the link for intonation. My guitar definitely needs set up again and I want to try an tackle the job myself. I can't do intonation because one of my bridge adjustment screws is stripped (don't remember doing that). Note the yellow colored arrow.

I can't adjust the intonation on that string. Of course, I can't find that pan head screw anywhere on line without buying the whole bridge. I'm gonna be checking locally for that. Plus my D and G strings are higher than the rest of the strings.

I think my neck is too straight (no photos right now). I read somewhere that the neck should be a little concave.

Until I find a new pan head phillips screw the right size I'm not going to try any further adjustments.

Any comments appreciated.

Jerry

foxyloxy

Dude, you have some Killer Gear!! I really like Ernie balls strings, maybe check them out. I understand that you would want to keep the jazzy original but you might be better off just getting a new bridge. It's worth it, i had a 67 jag for a while but the bridge was so rusted that it was kind of crap but what a neck and tone. my god!

jmallard

Thanks for the nice comments.

I really like my Jazzmaster and I'll keep it until I die. 😀

My bridge is really o.k. Everything else works fine, just that one screw is stripped and right up against the back of the bridge housing. When I get a new screw I'll take the strings off and remove the bridge, then I can use vise-grips or something to get the old screw out.

I think I'll give the Ernie Ball strings a try.

When I get my amp back, I'll post some new pictures "Jazzmaster Pictures" thread. I enjoy guitar porn too ! 😀

Jerry

redman1401

I personally prefer GHS strings.Theyre the only brand that lasts the longest for me.

jmallard

redman1401,

Thanks for the reply.

Do you use this flavor of GHS ?

GHS_DYXL

GHS Electric Guitar Dynamite Alloy Roundwound Ex. Light, .010 - .046, DYXL

Jerry

redman1401

jmallard said:
** redman1401,**
Thanks for the reply.
Do you use this flavor of GHS ?
GHS_DYXL
GHS Electric Guitar Dynamite Alloy Roundwound Ex. Light, .010 - .046, DYXL
Jerry

Nah, I use the boomer .10-.52s. They're the only strings that I can go nearly a year without changing and they still feel fine and sound great. I can always get them in the store, but there's a shop on ebay that i go to that i get 6 sets for about 22 bucks whereas if i get 6 sets from guitar center, with tax and all that its close to 30 bucks.

jmallard

redman1401,

Thanks for the information. I'll keep that brand in mind also.

Definitely will be changing strings soon as I slowly progress in my attempt at a full set-up of my guitar.

Jerry

redman1401

jmallard said:
redman1401,
Thanks for the information. I'll keep that brand in mind also.
Definitely will be changing strings soon as I slowly progress in my attempt at a full set-up of my guitar.
Jerry

If the threads were the same size, I"d ship one of my mustang bridges to you since I have two and don't use either, but i'm not sure if they are.

jmallard

redman1401,

Now that is a very nice gesture !!

If the Mustang bridge fits a Jaguar or Jazzmaster. I don't see why it would not fit.

I would certainly pay for your shipping costs if you want to send one. I would kinda like to try one out.

Thank You.

Jerry

redman1401

jmallard said:
redman1401,
Now that is a very nice gesture !!
If the Mustang bridge fits a Jaguar or Jazzmaster. I don't see why it would not fit.
I would certainly pay for your shipping costs if you want to send one. I would kinda like to try one out.
Thank You.
Jerry

Well, I know a common mod for jaguars are putting mustang bridges in so I'm sure it would fit. I have two as they came with my mustang and jagstang and i've swapped both out for tune o matics so i have no use for them.

jmallard

Sounds like one would fit.

I sent you a PM.

Jerry

foxyloxy

Other than the fact that the thread is broken, i don't recommend the mustang bridge it's rather poor in it's design but by all means give it a shot. over all it's a lot worse than the jazzy bridge but hell im still bitter about the mustang i owned. I would just get a TOM.

redman1401

foxyloxy said:
Other than the fact that the thread is broken, i don't recommend the mustang bridge it's rather poor in it's design but by all means give it a shot. over all it's a lot worse than the jazzy bridge but hell im still bitter about the mustang i owned. I would just get a TOM.

worse case scenario he can always use the screw from the mustang saddle if it fits the thread of that bridge.

jmallard

Actually, the thread is not broken.

The Pan Head Phillips screw is stripped on the low E (6th String). All the other pan head screws are o.k. I learned in my search for the screw that it is a Phillips Pan Head 4/40 X 5/8" screw. Closest store for that screw for me is about 15 miles away and I just haven't taken time to drive over there. 🙄

I'm sure I can get it off with vice grips after I remove the bridge.

I will go from there after I get it removed.

Jerry