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Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:31 pm
by huggernaut
So I just went spend crazy and I've got a Thurston Moore Jazzmaster on the way. (I know, I hate sig models too, but I got a really good deal on a brand new American made JM with upgraded pickups, also, I love the finish, okay?)
Anyway, it's got a tuneomatic bridge on it which doesn't have the same radius as the neck.
I'm thinking I want a mustang bridge, or maybe a mastery? But the thimbles are for the TOM, which I'd have to replace with new thimbles that aren't the same size.
Has anyone done this? I'd hate to dowel and drill, that just sounds terrible. I saw this mod too
http://offsetguitars.com/forums/viewtopic.php?f=7&t=33498Anybody try anything like this? Is the mismatched radius going to be that big a deal?
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:50 pm
by Astricii
Only the must fussy of players will notice. My main git is a cp jaguar it plays better than my 92 mij jag with a mustang bridge. Get a pro setup for the string gauge of your preference and tuning and you'll have the best guitar in the world. Personally I think offsets need custom setups more than upgraded hardware. Ymmv
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 7:57 pm
by coldbrightsunlight
My jag has a TOM and it's totally fine, the intonation is a little bit off high up the neck, but I bet if I took the time to set it up better I could solve that. I'll probably get a mastery when I can afford to spend that much on a bridge but I have no problems with the TOM.
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:22 pm
by Gunner Recall
Curious about this as well... I want to stick a mastery on my mascis
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 8:24 pm
by univalve
why guys? TOM is the best thing that happened to a JM IMHO!
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 9:08 pm
by cheesecats
i've had my tm for about 2 months now and totally love it. i feel absolutely no need to change anything on the guitar. i would recommend giving the tom a chance.
here are a couple of videos to give you an idea of the sound of the stock guitar. these are live jams recorded with a cheap stereo mic.
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vm3idR77Kak[/youtube]
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9RWVPecbVg[/youtube]
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 10:43 pm
by grygrx
Try it first... it seems some people (TM included) preferred the tune-o-matic to the standard jm bridge. I actually own the Lee Randaldo version and it's my favorite.
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Wed Feb 22, 2012 11:20 pm
by Gone Fission
I thought the Fender TOM (Adjustomatic?) was the right radius.
Dang, I've wanted to jump on that guitar, and I didn't even like the antigua when it came out. HNGD!
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:05 am
by foomanfat
grygrx wrote:Try it first... it seems some people (TM included) preferred the tune-o-matic to the standard jm bridge. I actually own the Lee Randaldo version and it's my favorite.
I believe Thurston Moore's guitar tech built that guitar for him with a TOM, but Thurston replaced it with a Mastery.
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:06 am
by Noise...
I might be in the minority here, but I only use TOM's on my Jaguars. I'll take stability over "traditional" any day.
Then again, I also like the closer trem on the CP's, and have a Jag with a Bigsby. So I'm not exactly the normal Jag player.

Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:16 am
by kosta
Great Fender offset specialist tech here in NYC ->
http://totallywiredguitars.com/ He just did some really nice work on my CP Jag (and ILF'er mordecainyc's as well.)
I've also got a Mustang bridge and thimbles in my parts pile here if you're looking to buy one.
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:38 am
by rfurtkamp
Have TOMs on both my Jag and my Mustang.
No issues or complaints, Mustang I wasn't sure of but it came in that way and was a heck of a deal.
Haven't felt compelled to change it back.
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 5:39 am
by Toonster
So if it is a Thurston Moore signature, why don't they put a Mastery bridge on the damn guitar?

Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 9:31 am
by huggernaut
kosta wrote:Great Fender offset specialist tech here in NYC ->
http://totallywiredguitars.com/ He just did some really nice work on my CP Jag (and ILF'er mordecainyc's as well.)
I've also got a Mustang bridge and thimbles in my parts pile here if you're looking to buy one.
Right on, this is my first offset and I'm really interested in learning to do it myself. Maybe I'll drop that guy a line.
Re: Offset Dudes...
Posted: Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:43 am
by amorphous
do the mod - you won't regret it!
stock 10-46's you don't notice it too much - but as you go heavier (which Jazzmaster *require* in my opinion) you'll be like WTH?
i went to 11-56's and it was awful - the outer strings where ok - but the G and B would always choke out on bends. If you jack the action way up the TOM is just OK. I don't play with THAT low of action (just under 5/64th's at the 12th fret)