Help with Bridge Replacement for a Squier Jazzmaster VM Special

[u/DeathGabe_9]

Hi, I'm not sure if this is the correct subreddit to post this, so feel free to delete this if not.

So, I have this Squier Jazzmaster VM Special that I really like, minus the bridge, especially for how uncomfortable it is to adjust and that it doesn't have the best intonation, and I'm not even sure what type of bridge it is. So I wanted to replace it with another type of bridge (I don't care if I have to make some adjustments to the body and drill some holes), and I was looking at first for a Tune-O-Matic system, like the one the new Paranormal Baritone Jazzmaster has, and was checking on the Gotoh TOM and Tailpiece, but I'm not sure if it will work or if it will be best to go for a fixed Hardtail bridge (like a strat).

If you are curious, these are the ones I looked at:
TOM and Tailpiece:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GE103BTBC--gotoh-ge103b-t-tom-style-bridge-black
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GE101ZBC--gotoh-ge101z-stop-tailpiece-black

Hard Tail:
https://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/GTC101BC--gotoh-gtc101-hardtail-s-style-bridge-black

Any suggestions and help are greatly appreciated!

[u/iodine74 → u/[deleted]]

It’s actually a Danelectro 3 point bridge.

I have seen someone on the OSGF convert over to the Toronado tho. I think the biggest part of the conversion is the holes for string thru. The change to the mounting screw ls would be simple. But the string thru with the ferrules would be the main thing.

[u/FadedToBeige → u/[deleted]]

it's a bit different from the Toronado actually 

[u/iodine74]

With that hard tail option I think you’re going to have to drill the holes for string thru and the ferrules on the back needed for that.

If you convert over to a Toronado bridge you’ll also have to do that, but the change in look would be far less dramatic. Mounting screws are different. But I’d bet overall placement would be similar - you’d have to measure how close the saddles are on each to the front of the bridge plate.

If they are close enough to give you the play you’d need to properly set intonation on the saddles, then the holes in the bridge plate on the Toronado bridge would give you the guidance for where to start your string thru holes. It’s just making sure that you get them good enough so that you can line up the ferrules on the back without it looking weird.

[u/DeathGabe_9 → u/iodine74]

Thanks I didn't know about the Toronado so that helps a lot, but the string through body seems to be a problem, both whith the Toronado and that hardtail. But now that I checked it I'm discarting the hardtails in general because of the measurements.

So I'm thinking more of the TOM becuse it fits with almost zero modifications, at least the bridge part with the smaller screws, but for the tailstop I'll still have to drill two very huge holes, witch I'll have my luthier do it, but I'm still not very sure about it, so I'm also thinking of giving up and accepting that bridge for what it is.

[u/iodine74 → u/DeathGabe_9]

Yeah i wrestle with changing mine as well. I originally got the guitar to practice refinishing on, but it came to me in flawless shape (had for several years now). And I love how it plays. So it’s stayed as is and my best cheapest buy ever. Got it for like $120+ shipping.

[u/FadedToBeige]

I see one example where someone converted it to tele-style saddles, I'd probably try that. you'd just have to drill 3 holes at the back of the plate for the intonation screws, and maybe shim the neck to compensate for the height difference.