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Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 12:57 pm
by 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?
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:12 pm
by 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.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:39 pm
by Holy Schnikes
^ This.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 1:54 pm
by 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..
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:22 pm
by 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.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:26 pm
by 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.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 2:37 pm
by 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.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 3:08 pm
by myrrh
Fixed the problem with a slight bend at the bottom of the trem arm. Now its stuck.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Tue Oct 01, 2013 4:18 pm
by dubkitty
Holy Schnikes wrote: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.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 3:07 pm
by myrrh
Maybe I will try the collet tightening. The bending of the arm did not work well enough.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Wed Oct 02, 2013 8:36 pm
by Holy Schnikes
Be oh so careful! If u break it, get a Staytrem collet and bar and never worry again.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Thu Oct 03, 2013 5:50 pm
by myrrh
hmm thats even another idea... Maybe I'll do that if this doesnt work.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 9:22 am
by myrrh
Holy Schnikes wrote: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.
Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Mon Oct 07, 2013 11:16 am
by 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.

Re: Jazzmaster "Tremolo" system issue.
Posted: Thu Oct 10, 2013 11:36 am
by myrrh
Ordered two today!