Colin's Jazz Bass Build

[colin2121]

Hi all,

I started my first project, a jazz bass.
All going well so far but I need some advice on the placement of the bridge.
Can anyone assist?

[Brendan]

Colin - have I got a deal for you! (just kidding) - our resident luthier DingoBass has prepared a tutorial for just this eventuality (or in reality for my P Bass), but the thought was there... Have a look at this and let us know if you have any questions...

http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=3048

[stan]

https://www.pitbullguitars.com/videos/#mg
These are the video guides, have a look through for the one you are after - on bridge placement.
Just a quick way for position: Measure from the edge of the nut the faces the bridge to the crown of the 12th fret.
Take that measurement and measure from the 12th fret crown to the bridge - that measurement is the approx position for where the bridge saddles should be.
Also google scale length and bridge placement and have a read - hope it helps

[stan]

No so sure with bass, but I'd start at the mid point which gives you the most range for intonation later

[wazkelly]

Thanks for the info Stan.
Can I ask where should I position the saddles on the bridge to do the measurement.

Thanks.

Hi Colin, J Bass has a 34" scale which is usually measured from inner side of the nut to the top of the thin G string saddle (middle of the round barrel). As the thicker strings are installed they will need to be lengthened to achieve proper intonation and therefore suggest having the G saddle wound a long way forward on the standard kit supplied bridge so that you have enough adjustment travel for the other strings, and particularly the low E. If you have a spare Fender style Bass handy it is a good idea to take some measurements off that to provide some sort of base reference marker points to work with.

Caution: Most standard string gauges are 45-100 which is quite light on the thinner strings and can sound a bit thin on a Jazz with both pickups on full volume. When I switched to the next heavier gauge of 50-105 discovered that the standard bridge did not have enough travel to re-intonate properly and ended up having to buy an aftermarket Gotoh style bridge. If you are happy with light strings, no drama. For me the feel and sound of the next size up was worthwhile and the better hardware has provided me with more scope should I choose to go back to skinny's. Should also mention this was using Round wounds as Flats seem to mostly be 45-100's.

Cheers, Waz

[Brendan]

Sorry Colin - missed this one -

http://www.pitbullguitars.com/commun...wtopic&t=280.1 should be:
http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=1895

Other should go: http://www.buildyourownguitar.com.au...ead.php?t=1873


I've updated them - legacy of a change of name to separate the forum and the web shop from a couple of years ago.

Brendan

[Simon Barden]

You'll have a flat-bottomed nut on your bass.

[Brendan]

+1 for Simon's comment - def flat bottomed.

[wazkelly]

+2 for flat bottom and measures about 41mm wide.

Plenty of cheapies on the net and eBay but recently installed a bone one from DB here at PBG and whilst they seem pricey at around $28 it is well worth every cent. It was the 2nd DB PBG Bone nut I have installed, the 3rd was put in my latest Tele build over the weekend and the 4th is on it's way for the MMB-4 build that is about to start soon.

And yes, I do have a collection of others that either did not fit, were cut too low, or supposedly made from graphite and in the end probably cost me more in time and effort than buying a quality product first. If you let DB know you need a Lefty he can do that too as that may not be so easy to source online elsewhere.

Cheers, Waz

[pablopepper]

Don't cut down the slots. Put some sandpaper down on a flat surface and sand off a small amount from the bottom of the nut and re check. Rinse and repeat until you're happy.