bridge replacement for Starfire

mellowgerman

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But what about the curve o the SF body?

There's really not enough of an arch to the top of the body in the spot where the bridge is mounted to cause a functional issue. Sure the corners have a bit of lift to them, but I'd still say at least 80% of the bridge was making contact. Similar to mounting a Hipshot Supertone on an Epiphone Casady signature bass. Perfectly functional.
In any case, I will try to get my buddy who has the sunburst '67 currently to send a few photos of the bridge area when he gets a chance. Busy guy though, so that may take a few days
 

lungimsam

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Cool. Thanks. My only issue with the harp is lack of travel to get intonated on the low E, and broken wood saddles (replaced with brass). Guess I could file the E slot though.
But maybe I should not mess with my SF anymore since I am thinking of selling it to make room for a JSII some day.
 

fronobulax

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Cool. Thanks. My only issue with the harp is lack of travel to get intonated on the low E, and broken wood saddles (replaced with brass). Guess I could file the E slot though.
But maybe I should not mess with my SF anymore since I am thinking of selling it to make room for a JSII some day.

Or, if you intend to continue vintage, you can justify your experiments on the Starfire by saying they are a rehearsal so that whatever you do to the JS it will be done right the first time and a mod you will love forever :)
 

lungimsam

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Since the JS has humbuckers, if it’s noisy all it’ll need is copper shielding in the cavity to be good to go. I would not like to mod an original vintage instrument. No no no. Keep as is if at all possible.

What I learned from the NS Starfire:
1. My NS Bisonic is a low quality, noisy pickup, as evidenced by noise, and wafer thin melted plastic surround that eventually fell apart.
2. It’s hard to work on and shield electronics in a semi-hollow body. I’m sticking’ to solid bodies from now on.
3. Semi-hollow tone isn’t that different to my ears than a solid body so just stick to the easier workability of solid bodies from now on.
4. Never settle for a brand new production bass that is a bad cosmetic factory blemish at full price no matter how unobtainium the model seems at the time. I am talking about the infamous fingerboard edge fog mentioned to be seen on pre-CMG NS Starfire like mine had.
5. Never let a vendor getaway with selling such.
6. The harp bridge is fantastic despite the low E issue.
 
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fronobulax

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Every JS bass I have seen or asked the question about, came from the factory with copper foil lining, and shielding, the control cavity.
 

Happy Face

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Lengthen the slider play on the E string so the saddle can be nudged up a smidge. It helps a lot.
 

lungimsam

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Here is a guy with a fender type looking bridge mounted on his Starfire with what appears to be a foam base between it and the bass face. Looks like a solid connection. At 3:16 you get a good look at how it is on there:
 
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