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I finally found my lefty Jazzmaster which should be arriving next week!! It's a 1996 MIJ, dead stock. I know I'll be needing to make some modifications before I can rely on it as an everyday player so I was wondering if you guys had suggestions? What string gauge should I be using? I'd like to use 10s but I've heard 11s or 12s are more suitable as well as a quot;higherquot; than normal action.

Here's what I plan on doing:

1) Replace the bridge with a Mustang one
2) Install a Buzzstop
3) Replace pups w/ SD Antiquitys
4) Replace nut w/ Bone one
5) Setup guitar for 10s

Anything else I should consider?

Hey, I also have a lefty Jazzmaster MIJ reissue.

I play 11's anyway so that is what I strung it up with (Thomastik-Infeld Power Brights quot;heavey bottomsquot;).

I have the Duncan Antiquities in it and they are really sweet. THe difference was startling. That was the only change to the guitar I made, well I added a phase switch in the quot;leadquot; circiuts at the bottom ( the circuit with the knobs not the sideways dial rythmn circuit on the top) so that I could get an out-of-phase sound with both pickups on. Oh, and strap locks.

Why would you change the bridge? I had never even seen a Buzzstop till I saw this thread. What do you do with it?


Originally Posted by musicalhairWhy would you change the bridge? I had never even seen a Buzzstop till I saw this thread. What do you do with it?

Buzzstops increase downward pressure on the bridge, holding it in place better, and therefore keeping the parts from rattling around and also keeps your strings from getting knocked off the saddles.

The mustang bridge helps both of those things too.

EDIT: I use 13's and 12's on my jaguar, i'd at least use 11's on a jazzmaster.
Unless you're going for that springy-sprongy sound. in which case, go with 9's

visit on 11s... I use 12s on my jag, though the Jazz is always a more solid guitar.

slade

Thanks for the info. I searched around and found out more about these and I may try them out on my Jazzmaster. The buzzstop probably first.

Great stuff!

I think I'm going to hold off on the Mustang bridge for now. Some people say choose the buzzstop OR the mustang bridge so I don't think I need both. The buzzstop will also greatly improve the natural sustain of the guitar... I'm used to the sustain of a Les Paul so I'd like to get it a little closer, that's why I'm also putting in the bone nut. I just ordered the Antiquity which are a bit hotter than the regulay Ants... can't F'ing wait!!!!