BTBB: Behind the Bridge Technique and Setup Guide for Fender Jazzmaster & Jaguar

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This week's video shows off some of my favorite secret tricks, which I suppose means they're no longer secrets. Ah, beans. Take a quick stroll through a few of my favorite guitars and see how I maximize the sonic potential of those ghostly notes which live just south of the bridge saddles.
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[@michaeltherion7459]

Nels is a beast with behind the bridge technique. Early Sonic Youth inspiration...

[@SarahEHowson]

Hands up all the people who just spent an entire day making noise after watching this.

[@BadChizzle]

Look who I found here! Hi!!

[@SarahEHowson]

@@BadChizzle HELLO MY FRIEND!

[@boblabahh4893]

The ease of feedback is quite alluring. I pity my family.

[@veerchasm1]

The National’s “Mistaken For Strangers” is a great example of these techniques

[@benparamore9977]

I bought that jaguar because of that song. Still waiting for it to come in, months later lol. Thanks 2020

[@sweensoman8172]

Same but I ordered it in June and the guitar shop got 1 finally in November

[@benparamore9977]

@@sweensoman8172 Glad to hear someone got it. Ordered mine off Sweetwater at the beginning of October. Supposedly they're getting some in within the next week or two so here's hoping.

[@Abrown2048]

@@benparamore9977 Which jag did you buy?

[@benparamore9977]

@@Abrown2048 I was waiting on the Vintera Jag in Ocean turquoise, but it got pushed back again. Opted for a Vintera Jazzmaster that was in stock cause it had already been 6 months. Just installed a mastery bridge. Love this thing

[@hughacton5960]

That’s actually a fucking sick chord progression that you made at the start of the video bro... you should definitely finish it

[@louisaccardi2268]

Yes, very sick?

[@OlMoldy]

@@louisaccardi2268 fucking sick

[@louisaccardi2268]

@@OlMoldy Hey Edgar, you have a way with words. By the way, I had an uncle Edgar, sadly he passed away when I was in my teens; I'm 73 now. I haven't seen that name in years. It's nice to see someone with that name. Your name means "wealthy spear," or owner of many spears. It also implies that the person might have been a great warrior in days of old.

[@HolmesThom]

@@OlMoldy sick as fuck

[@zzz0...]

WOOOOW, that intro. You're my offset hero. Glad I don't look so silly strumming chords rather than noise behind the bridge.

[@Puisheen]

Not at all!

[@blastofo]

People thought the opening riff to You Know You're Right by Nirvana, was Kurt plucking strings behind the nut. One of the engineers even thought it was steel drums. It was him playing below the bridge on the jag.

[@Aidex106]

Heard people say it was his mustang too

[@magraretsbane6274]

It sounds like the Jag but it was actually a Hi-Flier he borrowed from one of his techs

[@uanua]

I am so glad you make videos, you’re one of the reasons I decided, definitively to ditch my strat and go full Jazzmaster mode. I am literally indebted to you for that reason. The quality of your videos has already insanely improved, they’re informative, easy to watch and understand, and just overall fantastic. Underrated shit.

[@Puisheen]

Hey, this is so incredibly kind and I can't thank you enough for this! THANK YOU!

[@fmartini86]

Yes me too. I wouldn`t be sure if i love my JM as much as i do now, without his Videos!

[@buzzedalldrink9131]

I have a huge guitar collection but no jazzmaster or jaguar. They are now one my list after seeing this! thanks

[@Mr-gg8ek]

Sonic Youth made a career out of behind the bridge Jazzmaster noodles.

[@imokas]

That fender tone drove me nuts... I bought my jaguar because of your playing

[@Puisheen]

Which Jag did you buy? That's really fun!

[@imokas]

@@Puisheen I got a SQ CV 70S surf green. It's what I could afford

[@Puisheen]

@@imokas I love them so much, great choice

[@Slochicki]

The ol' Thurston Moore, Great shit mike!

[@marcpernia8487]

I love seeing artists take us down their specifically expressive rabbit holes. Well played. I would note that making per-string nodal changes using bridge height/brake-angle alone can be a pretty big compromise, depending on how important string height/action is to making you feel comfortable with your instrument. You should be able to modally tune via string tension behind the bridge, as you propose, but in combination with string length and gauge as factors of tension, reducing the need to raise the bridge beyond what a player might consider comfortable string action. As an example, for some strings I thread them through one or more detached string ball-ends, as a spacer(s) of sorts, to extend the string length, thereby adjusting the modal positions on the string behind the bridge.

[@Puisheen]

Oh sure, if I wanted a drastic change then I would likely experiment with modifying the vibrato mounting plate with third bridge type elements, but generally I can do a lot with minor tweaks to height and intonation.

[@benjaminhawthorne1969]

Very cool! Truly ground breaking sounds hidden behind that bridge. I've got a Sea foam green Jazz ie on my wihlist, can't wait to try this!

[@how8765]

This works surprisingly well with my squier j mascis jazzmaster, even though the trem unit is closer to the bridge and it’s got a tune-o-matic (I think?). Throw a big muff and a shit ton of reverb on it and it sounds great! Also, instead of the G ringing out, it seems to be an F# ringing because the trem unit is closer.

[@luqa7649]

Have you set yours up differently?

[@PFDarkside]

Wow. All of a sudden a lot of tones I’ve heard on recordings make sense now.

[@Puisheen]

Yeah it's fun when you start being able to pick it out in songs and soundtracks. We just finished Deadwood for the first time, and there's a particularly tense episode where the theme underneath is all plucked notes at the headstock of an acoustic. I was in HEAVEN

[@patricelongchamps9880]

Wowwww there is a lot of creativity on your playing.

[@louisaccardi2268]

Wow, that was mind expanding. It opens up a whole field of latent possibilities. Gee wizz, thanks.

[@ambroseambrose3611]

Great video, very fascinated with the Jaguar...

[@spencercox4092]

Mike, we do not deserve your knowledge and enthusiasm. These vids are so cool and I always learn something. Sad to hear you're not with fellow robot anymore

[@Puisheen]

Lol thank you! I love the guitar and I love seeing people get more familiar with their instruments, so this means a lot. And thanks, it was a tough decision and I'll miss those songs! Some of my best recorded guitar work exists in that band. I wish them success!

[@jditty4050]

Subscribed! Dude, this is gold. Just now getting into using more string behind the bridge with a Gretsch project and this has been eye opening!

[@GiantPinhead]

Came back to watch this one again while struggling with my Bass VI. This is wonderful and helpful, Mike. Thank you!

[@jaden_bricker]

FINISH THE SONG IT’S ACTUALLY AMAZING!!

[@adamlittlemore7211]

Picking behind the bridge is amazing ever for me as I play ambient music so when I have my reverbs and delays on with some fuzz it sounds weird but I like it

[@Puisheen]

Same here, it's a big part of what I do!

[@lostfilm4380]

Sick tone and riffs man! Would you be able to share some tabs from 1:10-1:20? I know it’s a lot to ask for but damn those are sweet chords.

[@adrianseifi3285]

Thank you so much for this in depth video describing how it works. I've always been intrigued when you'd write about it on Instagram but not fully understanding the practicality of it. Once again thank you so much!

[@Puisheen]

Adrian, hey! Thanks for the kind words here, I'm really glad you got something out of this one. I've always been a little wishy-washy on the specifics because, like, it's my sound! But what's the point of keeping secrets, you know?

[@FrancoisCantine]

I just discovered your channel and I'm already in love with your enthusiasm and how passionate and nice you are. I really enjoy your playing, any bands to get into those alternate voicing rythm you make? Thanks!

[@sagegracemusic5981]

I think you would definitely review the Troy Van Leeuwen oxblood JM

[@g.koch.]

Will we get a in depth tone video on the Vader Baritone one day? 😏🤩

[@Puisheen]

Absolutely! I gotta find the time!

[@jaybaker9248]

@@Puisheen sorry, I really need to know if you know about these guys!!!kzbin.info/www/bejne/h6rXpJWHi7uoiq8

[@joeferris5086]

Sounds like Godspeed! You Black Emperor

[@JG-ux7of]

Recent subscriber here, love your channel! There is no other channel that provides as much useful information on Jazzmasters. I really love your playing too, I could care less about shredding. I like musical, melodic playing with great tone and you nail that, any links to full songs?

[@Case_]

Robert Smith used this technique in some of his songs, probably most notably in Other Voices on the album Faith. I sometimes kinda fake the sounds he's making by strumming in front of the nut ;) (it's not possible to strum behind the bridge on my guitar).

[@bretolson8484]

The ‘3PO and Vader Offsets are just awesome. Keep it weird my friend, come back to Seattle so I can watch in person 🤘🤘

[@jmelara324]

I encountered the technique a few years ago when seeing a couple The Dear Hunter live videos and saw them doing it. Whenever I came across a Jaguar I ended up trying to do a sort trap riff when utilizing the technique lol

[@teensupertiger]

It reminds in the late 90s with my friends we said that the band Placebo stole too much from Sonic Youth. (Like I am doing since).

[@christiano5579]

Very cool! I remember a few years ago talking to Kithkin’s guitarist about his setup and that cool BTB lipstick pickup that you installed on his black AVRI jazzmaster, great look 👌🏽. A very internet instance where I knew his guitar from it being featured on your ig several times before ever meeting the guitarist in person.

[@Puisheen]

OH WOW I remember that guitar! Been a looooong time

[@BeesWaxMinder]

Was that a lipstick pick up BEHIND the bridge?

[@squirelova1815]

Wow. Excellent playing too! I guess "MORE is More." after all. Even if a little bit more.

[@electron7373]

Amazing JM techniques! Thanks - really interesting.

[@edhebert]

@4:57 the working man’s Sigur Ros texture. Very nice!

[@gavinpicard3003]

i’ve been waiting for this! thank you so much

[@Puisheen]

Thank you, Gavin!

[@raavenstark5905]

Finally someone playing Jazzmaster in the right way AND NOT MESS AROUND WITH BLUESY SHIT (i like blues, but you know what i mean if you watch demos)

[@Puisheen]

Eh, there's no right way to play but I will admit that I'm tired of blues demos for sure lol

[@leroybrady4288]

Thanks for shedding light on this coolness!

[@TheGreenKingdom]

Great video, haven't tried this in a recording yet, but definitely intrigued now...

[@Casey3-P-O]

I NEED A 3P0 GUITAR HOLY CRAP DUDE!!!!

[@Jaundice__]

You play so beautifully. I might have you set up my Jazzmaster.

[@kimmykimkan]

This is such an amazing insight. I was wondering how this was done as Nels Cline briefly mentioned this in his rig rundown. Thank you so much for demystifying this! I am off to the workbench. Subscribed!

[@Puisheen]

Nels is the best, just the coolest guy and player.

[@Puisheen]

Thanks for watching Kim!

[@kimmykimkan]

@@Puisheen Nels is a fantastic player! I was introduced to Wilco way back when sky blue sky first came out. Had only been playing for three years by then. Started late. Finally got a jazzmaster last year after primarily playing strats almost exclusively. Keep up the awesome work and music. Great stuff!

[@grimhasty3597]

@@Puisheen Hey Mike, love this video! I first seen you do this on a Fender Jaguar video for Fender last year and thought it was great. I recently got a Jaguar (its a Classic Player, so has the sort of 'Les Paul' style bridge rather than the Mustang style). I can't actually get any discernable notes from playing behind the bridge. Is this possibly a quality that only exists on the Mustang style bridges? Thanks!

[@Puisheen]

@@grimhasty3597 Your CP has two issues: the AOM bridge and the modern trem positioning. These two factors greatly reduce the chance of you achieving usable resonance behind the bridge, I'm afraid.

[@MWL865]

Awesome Sigur Ros vibes.

[@neildenari1007]

Thanks for the video!! Just to clear up history here, Derek Bailey, Sonny Sharrock, and Fred Frith have, actually among others, used the BTBB picking and strumming…Glenn Branca (with whom Thurston and Lee played) built long stringed instruments with multiple pick ups allowing for vibrations on either side…I’m sure you’re not claiming that you invented the technique and that you otherwise discovered it on your own. Whether through the development of techniques developed by others or by one’s own natural process, the only thing that matters is what you do with it, and in this video, it sounds great.

[@PG-18]

Cool im getting a Squier jaguar tomorrow Can't wait to play things like this 0:57 on it

[@THEItchybruddah]

As always, thanks SO much for your time and expertise. Thou art an avant-guardian of the galaxy! Much obliged!

[@olliesound67]

Very helpful and inspiring Video, Mike! 👍👍👍

[@martinsmusicvideos]

Really cool stuff! Thanks so much for sharing these cool ideas and tips!

[@moose1689]

That riff reminded me of the Sea Scouts.

[@joshguthriemusic8090]

😮3PO is SICK!!!!❤️

[@kolektormusik79]

i got a jazzmaster blacktop HS, and love it! tho a blacktop series, but i like it

[@LS-wc6mr]

You should totally do a review of that Vintera Jaguar from the Fender video.

[@simonfowler81]

After seeing this one I would like to see a video of you talking about the stop buzz on jazzmasters :)))

[@ParanoidGoblinoid]

20:00 is my go-to transition effect from here on in.

[@joshguthriemusic8090]

The drive-in speaker idea needs to be mass produced and marketed!!! Like a pig nose, but WAY cooler, and with seriously way more character & attitude! 🤘🏻🤘🏻

[@that_jimi_freak]

Yo- that lipstick on 3PO is so sick!

[@revchadbrooks]

I was offset-less for several years and picked up a Squire CV Jaguar this Christmas. The second I strapped it up, I instantly went back into indie mode. Found your channel and LOVE it!

[@ilyasnamozov2914]

You can also try E-BOW for these sounds.

[@beautyinchaosofficial9455]

Mike ... Michael from Schecter guitar here. Was wondering how you decided to 'activate' the behind-the-bridge lipstick? is there an off/on and individual volume?

[@Puisheen]

Hey Michael! Love what you're doing at Schecter! To be honest I have re-wired that guitar at least ten times for various activation schemes, ranging from using the lead tone control as a Jazz Bass style volume for the lipstick only, to putting it on the Jaguar control plate, and the Rhythm Circuit switch as it now stands. I think I like that best.

[@beautyinchaosofficial9455]

@@Puisheen thank you for the reply and the compliment! I don’t have the JM yet, so I have a little time to figure out what will work ⚜️

[@slowsmile]

Great stuff thanks for sharing your secrets!!!

[@mikkelclausen831]

You might not able to answer this Q. But why isnt the tremolo system routet into the body of the guitar? It would give a better angle for the strings, and would look really nice i think. Thinking of doing this to my squier jazzmaster

[@JustinWoo]

Oh goddammit as if my desire for a Jazzmaster wasn't strong enough!

[@bluwng]

I love your Chanel. I have always been a rock and metal guy but for some reason I love and am fascinated with Fender Vibrato systems and don’t really favor a Floyd Rose.

[@YiaMdj]

I don't really understand how you hardly seem to hear the strings behind the bridge when you are trem picking

[@interludeschannnel]

Super informative video, and I don't even have an offset YET. Really inspiring, keep up the great work you're doing! By your experience, the same "tuning" can be executed either on the original bridge or the mustang one?

[@Puisheen]

Indeed it can, and you have slightly more adjustability with those than with the Mastery. Varying individual string height can really work to your advantage here

[@royalblue2229]

12:40 did he just play the lick

[@AMGL1989]

That’s a sick ass riff my guy

[@telefunkenyou47]

That jazz looks great!

[@2002kid]

0:57 are you using a specific tuning for this song? Also your technique its pretty cool!!!

[@Puisheen]

Just standard! Nothing fancy. Thanks for the kind words!

[@antoniaford5478]

This video sent me down a 10 mile rabbit hole! But a burning question: have you ever used an E-Bow behind the bridge? What's that like?

[@xzatious]

Great video again, truly helpful because my jazzmaster sucks behind the bridge and now I can maybe tweak it! Any plans for a Patreon? :)

[@Puisheen]

Lol thank you, at some point I may explore Patreon. I've been putting that off until I feel like I can keep up a consistent schedule (which I shockingly am!) and felt good about my quality, but maybe I'm putting too much thought into it.

[@joshphillips3171]

Would this work with my stock fender player jag? I've been considering saving up for the mastery bridge also to get rid of the buzz but im wondering if i can do it now? Haha, love your vid btw

[@Puisheen]

You should be able to!

[@beol9715]

Ooh man nice playing💓🥺🥺

[@The1webguy]

Love your videos...Any particular bridge and trem for the JM you recommend? I am looking at Mastery but they are pricey.

[@tarkenton3895]

Just revisiting this video and realised the resonant notes on 3PO sound like the motif of Richard Ramirez Died Today Of Natural Causes by Sun Kil Moon!

[@gloryxkid]

Okay this video is making me want to remove my buzz stop on my offsets lol

[@scottfrazier6296]

Are these floating bridges and tune o matic bridges at the same angle? Jag style bridges look more square to the strings...

[@harryspotterofficial]

Very nice playing

[@NathanSink]

What kind of guitar is 3PO?? Can’t believe no one has asked (that I can tell). I vote for a dedicated video for it. 👍🏻

[@Puisheen]

It's a special guitar for me by Shelton electric! I love that thing. I shall do such a video in future!

[@JoeyG333]

Check out garreth Lydiard from tropical f* storm. He uses this technique alot. Good example is you let my tyres down

[@ultrasignificantfootnote3378]

I ,one day hope to own a Jazzmaster.

[@jhowellkc]

Mike, do you have a recommendation for a compressor pedal that works well for this purpose?

[@Puisheen]

I have the Keeley Compressor + and love it, BUT I am not an expert on or frequent user of compressors, so I'm sure there are a lot of other great options out there. I only know that if I'm going to use a compressor, it has to have a blend knob

[@jasonnosaj7114]

Great video! Thank you

[@Circlotron]

A friend asked me to set up the intonation on his Jazzmaster but I didn't have the right size Allen key. Could you tell me what size it is? Don't want to tote the guitar around in the hardware shop to find the right size.

[@lucgroen5719]

Love your content and your guitars!!! Isn’t the whole strings behind the bridge thing just how well the note behind the bridge fits in the harmonic scale (dunno if that is the correct English name) of the note fretted?

[@Puisheen]

That may be, but I tend to focus on the mechanical side of things anyway

[@danielbrown8556]

that would definitely make it resonate louder (and probably sound better), but it'll resonate either way since some of the kinetic energy transfers across the bridge

[@lucgroen5719]

Daniel Brown good point!

[@lucgroen5719]

Puisheen thanks for the reply! All the best! 💚

[@patricelongchamps9880]

You are just brillant!!!!

[@telequacker-9529]

What a great harem of offsets....

[@Apathesis0]

Anyone have a link to that video of the song he plays at the beginning of this? I cant find that Jaguar video

[@graydeotto2820]

You should check out New Complexity guitars for super cool behind the bridge stuff

[@Newfieboy9908]

God damn that jag is pretty though

[@theuglytruth886]

Great vid, like being in the room with Kevin Shields, where'd you get a gold anodysed pickguard from?

[@Puisheen]

At first I read Kevin Smith and spent too long trying to figure out what we had in common. Glad I took that second sip of coffee. The anodized guard came off of a CS Jazzmaster that the owner swapped out for spitfire

[@nessearthbound3107]

This is so interesting! I would love to do this, but how do you find a balance between being able to play behind the bridge and break angle?

[@Puisheen]

I start with a proper offset setup, and then I just kinda play around until it starts working the way I like.

[@johnott193]

I have a mastery bridge and vibrato on a 90s MIJ Jazzmaster. I recently noticed the high E string is rubbing on the vibrato arm receiver. How do I fix this so that the receiver is centered between the B and E string?

[@Puisheen]

Do me a favor, check to see if the whole internal mechanism is pitched toward one side. If it is, loosen string tension and pull it toward the other side, try to get it centered, and re-tension the strings. That should help it, barring the possibility that the bridge and vibrato mounts are misaligned

[@johnott193]

@@Puisheen yeah I was messing around with that earlier. When I push it towards the low E side the issue is not as bad. But then it looks like the saddle piece will just rub on the vibrato plate. Haha.

[@fish_8696]

kurt cobain used this Technique on you know you're right, but that was on a univox hi flyer

[@royvandevender8461]

Great info!

[@littlegoose9860]

It reminded me of Broken Social Scene's KC Accidental (nice!). What Jazzmaster do you recommend these days outside of the Squier Vibe? Is there anything as true to form, but better quality (without spending $1,500)? How would you compare the American Pro II to the Original '60s - in the American Pro II the rhythm circuit seems like it's not original function? Then are the American Performer (Strat bridge?) and American Pro (pickup selector on top) - each without rhythm circuits. Would you consider a maple fret board Jazzmaster or one without the rhythm circuit, or one where the rhythm circuit does not function like the original rhythm circuit?