Putting a Jazzmaster tremolo on everything?

[ThurberMingus]

So I have one guitar with a JM style trem, and it just stomps the bridge of every other guitar I have. Is it completely stupid to want to try and install them on my other guitars? I know I could just buy a Squier JM and it would make more sense, but I'm all about Sonic Youth'ing my guitars. I don't want to get rid of any of them and I definitely don't need any more, so this seems like a thing to do.

I've never done anything like this before, so I would try to find a local luthier or handyman to give me a hand.

The first guitar on the chopping block would be my super-bastard Jagmaster, which has a strat style trem. I know I would need to fill the cavity, but I'm not really concerned with keeping my finish all the way intact. In fact I kind of like the idea of having unfinished patches of wood and filler near my bridge. I would also like to do one of my teles, I feel like that would be much easier to do, so I'm not as concerned with that right now. I would just use a Bigsby trem and route out a cavity for the tailpiece.

Anyway, I know this is pretty impractical, but is it just a totally stupid bad idea? Has anyone on here attempted this before? If it is just too stupid to try, could anyone recommend a decent strat trem with a super long arm I could throw in my Jagmaster instead? Even if this plan doesn't follow through, that bridge needs to go.

[Hyphen Nation]

Don't tell Jimmy Page it's an impractical or stupid idea:



I think he plays this guitar in "it might get loud"

[Decibill]

This can definitely be done and I say go with what feels good to you. It's that impractical either. I think if you were taking a high-priced, vintage instrument you would get some criticism, but with what you are describing, it makes sense. I might be biased as a big Jag and Jazzy fan. If you are interested in what it would take to get the work done, shoot me a PM. I've been working on guitars for 8 years and recently quit my day job to devote more time to it.

[ThurberMingus]

Yeah I think I am gonna do it! Unfortunately my funds are tied up in other endeavors right now so my Jagmaster overhaul will be placed on the backburner. I was planning on buying one of those hipshot cavity blocks to fill the hole. I also plan on replacing some of the pickguard with the Jaguar plates as well as some Jaguar switching. I'm getting really excited for this project. I just need to free up some cash!

[wildebelor]

sounds like you just want a jaguar?

[ThurberMingus]

Yeah, but why would I go ahead and buy a new guitar when I can just mod my old guitar?

I do want a Jaguar, but I do like projects and goofy fixer-uppers. The idea of this project is more to learn how to do some guitar work and less about getting a new guitar.

[ChetMagongalo]

I definitely agree that JM style tremolos should be on every guitar

[spacelordmother]

Yeah, but why would I go ahead and buy a new guitar when I can just mod my old guitar?

I do want a Jaguar, but I do like projects and goofy fixer-uppers. The idea of this project is more to learn how to do some guitar work and less about getting a new guitar.

[Ghost Hip]

Dude, mustang and jazzmaster tailpieces are the best. I kind of like the mustang feel a bit more, but I need to get a staytrem arm for it. The trem bar design is fucking bullshit on mustangs. With that said, I totally want a jay turser mustang and put a fender neck on it.

[weed_killer]

Dude, mustang and jazzmaster tailpieces are the best. I kind of like the mustang feel a bit more, but I need to get a staytrem arm for it. The trem bar design is fucking bullshit on mustangs. With that said, I totally want a jay turser mustang and put a fender neck on it.

do you mean how how high up the arm is from the body on a mustang? That's the reason I just use my palm to push the tailpiece down a bit instead of an arm.

[ryan summit]

i bought a jazz trem from guitar fetish
it was on sale and i have plans for cuttin a body
i did put a wigsby on my go to samick
the rout is about the same i think
it really wasnt that difficult
anyway the reason for my post is the quality of the GF trem
from initial looks its pretty freakin solid
how good its gonna be when installed is TBD
the wigsby at D stan tuning needs help gettin back to zero
when im ready to rout anymore cavitys
im gonna get one of those trim routers though
bosch colt,or dewalt jam
theyre like $99 and for that kind of rout prob alot easier
i sold my plunger for my porter cable router
definately regret that when i need it
and for this project you do