Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.

[myrrh]

So I got two Jazzmasters, one where the trem arm works perfectly and one where there is an issue.

Some serious TWSS going on here, but whatever.

On the 65RI the arm seems to go to deep down the hole, touching the inside of the guitar and limiting the downwards bends to almost nothing.
When I pull it a bit further out it works perfectly, but the problem is I use it a lot and quite violently so it ends up the same way within seconds.

Is there a way of getting it to stick in the right spot permanently?
Any tips?

[dubkitty]

if you file a horizontal slot in the collet and the arm you should be able to use a cotter pin to hold the arm in position. this is the way the JM-esque trem on my Hopf guitar is set up.

[Holy Schnikes]

^ This.

[myrrh]

Hmm, will this mean using the cotter pin on the outside of the guitar?
Have to say I'm a bit skeptical..
There should be possible to do some bending or tightening somewhere.
Both guitars have an american trem system, so I dont see why I cant make it work like the other.
Just dont know how..

[Holy Schnikes]

No, notching the bar will give the collet something to grab onto when inserted normally. That's assuming its the correct bar for that particular trem as US/Japan/Mex all differ slightly. I had so much trouble with mine I finally replaced with a Staytrem collet and bar but notching will be way cheaper.

You can also bend the arm slightly, google for a description of that fix.

Yet another fix involves removing the trem and GENTLTY compressing the collet teeth together to get a tighter fit.

[myrrh]

This is a new US made 65 re issue from this year. So I find it a bit weird. Thanks for the tip. If I manage to bend it correctly it should also work I guess.
Will try tightening the collets when I change strings.

[Holy Schnikes]

Mine's a US built Custom Shop from this year and the collet sucked. I didn't even bother with it it but I bet a fix is fairly simple.

[myrrh]

Fixed the problem with a slight bend at the bottom of the trem arm. Now its stuck.

[dubkitty]

Yet another fix involves removing the trem and GENTLTY compressing the collet teeth together to get a tighter fit.

only do this with the arm inserted, or you'll break the collet. trust me on this, it happened to the Hopf.

[myrrh]

Maybe I will try the collet tightening. The bending of the arm did not work well enough.

[Holy Schnikes]

Be oh so careful! If u break it, get a Staytrem collet and bar and never worry again.

[myrrh]

hmm thats even another idea... Maybe I'll do that if this doesnt work.

[myrrh]

Be oh so careful! If u break it, get a Staytrem collet and bar and never worry again.

Tried to be very gentle but still broke it...
Luckily I had an spare tremolo system.
Will order the stay trem though.

[Holy Schnikes]

The Staytrem collet and trem arm (and their offset bridges) are great. A little bit costly but any and all issues will vanish. Forever.

[myrrh]

Ordered two today!