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April Birthdays
Is an AVRI trem that much better?
Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 10 Brussels - belgium |
Posted on Apr 08 2013 03:17 PM
Hi Folks, Now that I'm starting a surfband again, I'm thinking about upgrading my MIJ Jazzmaster by changing the sloppy trem with an AVRI trem. But giving the fact that it will cost me about 100€, I'm asking myself if it is really worth it. Is an American trem really that better? What do you think? Roland |
Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up. 
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Posted on Apr 08 2013 03:24 PM
I think all you need is a Staytrem like this. Worked great on mine. http://staytrem.com/epages/950002362.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/950002362/Categories/Page__Category And I'll eventually put one on my CIJ jaguar too. —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
Joined: Jul 18, 2009 Posts: 499 
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Posted on Apr 08 2013 03:37 PM
. Last edited: Mar 01, 2020 09:44:32 |
Joined: Jan 08, 2012 Posts: 42 Minneapolis
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Posted on Apr 08 2013 04:50 PM
Currently replacing the trem on my MIJ Jaguar, will keep you updated on the results. I was not very impressed with the old trem, felt stiff, unresponsive. Not sure if that's an issue with the Jazzies, but I felt an upgrade was necessary. — |
Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle 
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 12:19 AM
I replaced the trem assy. on a Japanese Jazzmaster with the AVRI part. It is much better. — |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 12:30 AM
Yes, very important upgrade. Quality of metal is much better. |
Joined: Jul 06, 2010 Posts: 597 Stockholm 
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 02:27 AM
If the sloppy fit of the tremolo arm is your problem I recommend Staytrem! |
Joined: Mar 02, 2006 Posts: 11075 Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 08:43 AM
I own 3 AVRI offsets, and I love all of their trems, so I think you'll be fine with the upgrade. I did at a Mastery bridge to my #1 Jazzmaster, if you have the budget, I'd look into adding that as well. Lots of talk on here and the offset guitar forum about it. —Danny Snyder I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac' Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF |
Joined: Jun 21, 2007 Posts: 3909 San Diego, CA
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 08:48 AM
If you decide to "upgrade" to the AVRI trem, you'll still have to contend with the loose trem arm at some point. Put a small bend at the bottom of the ARM on the collet side and you'll be fine. I don't have any experience with the staytrem, but that's probably where I'd look next if I needed a new trem. —Ryan Last edited: Apr 09, 2013 08:49:06 |
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Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 10 Brussels - belgium |
Posted on Apr 09 2013 08:54 AM
Thanks, The Staytrem is very interesting. Roland |
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Joined: Sep 19, 2012 Posts: 60 Pensacola, Florida
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 08:59 AM
I recently switched the trem assembly out on 94 MIJ Jaguar and installed the Staytrem arm at the same time. I agree with others that the two mods address different issues. Changing the trem itself gets you a bit better build quality and a smoother feel. Whether the latter is actually the result of a better design or simply a matter of the ~20 year old original unit showing some wear, I have no idea. No doubt it feels better. The Staytrem addresses (and addresses very well) the floppy arm problem. The arm on my guitar stays exactly where I leave it - no flop at all. Since Staytrem makes the arm for both the Japanese and the AVRI, you can just change that - but, keep in mind that it is a $40 US investment and will not work with the AVRI trem should you decide to upgrade in the future. So - it might make sense just to go ahead and do both while you have it taken apart - if you can spare the money. regards Last edited: Apr 09, 2013 09:00:23 |
Joined: Mar 13, 2009 Posts: 2367 Twin Cities, MN
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 10:11 AM
I recently put an AVRI trem unit on my J Mascis Squier Jazzmaster and added a StayTrem arm to it as well. The stock trem arm on the Mascis actually stayed in place very well. No looseness at all, and overall it was very responsive and the guitar stayed in tune. My problem with it was that it would click sometimes. No matter what I adjusted, I couldn't get rid of the click. So the overall upgrade cost me about $100 on ebay. But it works perfectly now. |
Joined: Jul 31, 2012 Posts: 4053 Nashville, TN.
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 11:02 AM
I haven't tried the Staytrem, looks nice, but I do concur with the others about the AVRI trem. http://www.facebook.com/CrazyAcesMusic |
Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2687 Ventura, CA
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 11:45 AM
My experience is different. I replaced the trem unit on my early MIJ Jaguar with the USA part and I could not tell the difference other than the arm was a little less floppy, so I recently bought a Staytrem for the USA unit which solves the floppy problem. I put the MIJ trem unit on my Telecaster and it functions perfectly, there was no reason to change it. Make sure the trem is adjusted properly before giving upon it. |
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Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up.
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 11:54 AM
Stormtiger wrote:
What did you do with the Tele bridge? —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
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Joined: Dec 12, 2006 Posts: 2687 Ventura, CA
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 01:08 PM
The Tele bridge was the 3 brass saddles on the "ashtray", replaced with a Mastery bridge fitted in this, minus the Bigsby: I think I sold the original saddles and ashtray as there was no going back on this mod. |
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Joined: Aug 23, 2006 Posts: 2123 The jungle
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Posted on Apr 09 2013 05:47 PM
Y'know, now that I think about it, I used one of the old, black trem springs from a vintage Jazzmaster as well. That may have contributed to the increased perception of smoothness. — |
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Joined: Feb 28, 2006 Posts: 10 Brussels - belgium |
Posted on Apr 10 2013 02:05 AM
Do you mean by that that an AVRI spring is not better than a Jap spring? |
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