Just got a USA 65' Jaguar RI (my first Jaguar and I love it) but can't find any info on taking out and putting back tremolo arm (does not appear to fit in Fender case with tremolo arm on).

Can yank it out and yank it back in but seems a 'heavy handed' way to do it. Checked forums and net but could not find answer.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

'Surf Music Lasts Forever'

Last edited: Mar 17, 2014 04:09:50

I used to have the same problem with my Jazzy. It's like you'd have to place both knees on the body and pull up with everything you've got.

The tremolo arm should have a little location notch which slots into the internal collet. I suspect the collet is gripping a little too well.

If you like the tremolo arm to hold position then it's probably best to leave alone as collet adjustment can lead to breakage.

Wombat wrote:

Just got a USA 65' Jaguar RI (my first Jaguar and I love it) but can't find any info on taking out and putting back tremolo arm (does not appear to fit in Fender case with tremolo arm on).

Can yank it out and yank it back in but seems a 'heavy handed' way to do it. Checked forums and net but could not find answer.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

First of all, the '65 reissue, and all of the other currently made with that type of tailpiece (except for the Johnny Marr) have a different trem bar ( diameter and end shape) and a different collet (the thing that holds the bar). The end of the new bars is shaped like an inverted cone with no "ring" at the bottom. They copied one of my custom made bars that I've been using since the '90s. The collet is a different hole diameter, and is machined differently. The inside of the splines are machined to work better with the bar, too. I think the new collets are not hardened (same as the '60s) the other reissues were hardened. The idea is to not make them so brittle with hardening hat the splines can break.

Do not try to bend the splines.

You can pull it out if you have to, but, I think it's ok to close the case on it. Being a new case it will take a little time before an impression is made in the padding of the case lid. I have not checked this myself,so, I may not be exactly right about this with the new cases.

Maybe too much detail!

-dave

DreadInBabylon wrote:

try to be gentle as possible. Lock the trem first!

Plus 1 on that, I've upgraded my CIJ Jaguar with an AVRI trem unit over the weekend and locking the trem before pulling the arm out makes life a little easier as it limits the upward travel of the trem. Also, make sure you pull the arm out in a straight upward motion, don't angle it 'cos that could do some damage.

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Last edited: Mar 17, 2014 08:08:42

First of all, the '65 reissue, and all of the other currently made with that type of tailpiece (except for the Johnny Marr) have a different trem bar ( diameter and end shape) and a different collet (the thing that holds the bar). The end of the new bars is shaped like an inverted cone with no "ring" at the bottom. They copied one of my custom made bars that I've been using since the '90s. The collet is a different hole diameter, and is machined differently. The inside of the splines are machined to work better with the bar, too. I think the new collets are not hardened (same as the '60s) the other reissues were hardened. The idea is to not make them so brittle with hardening hat the splines can break.

Do not try to bend the splines.

You can pull it out if you have to, but, I think it's ok to close the case on it. Being a new case it will take a little time before an impression is made in the padding of the case lid. I have not checked this myself,so, I may not be exactly right about this with the new cases.

Maybe too much detail!>

Thanks Dave and everyone for the suggestions (I am taking your other suggestion too and having a Mastery bridge installed). It appears if I lock the tremolo, turn the arm towards bottom of guitar and pull firmly straight up it come out (and back) OK.

The Jaguar tremolo arm sits quite high (compared to a Strat) and even if you cut the padding in a standard Fender case it will still be pushing down on tremolo arm quite a bit. I think I will just get a 'roadcase' type of guitar case

'Surf Music Lasts Forever'

No reason to worry about keeping the arm in, it doesn't damage the guitar, the vibrato unit, or the case.

Won't it put the guitar out of tune if left in the case for a couple of days?
Also, just leave tremolo locked while in case?

'Surf Music Lasts Forever'

I'm with Jake, I've been leaving my arms in for years and never had a problem. I can imagine pulling the arm out too much will eventually make it really loose in the collet.

Wouldn't closing the case on the arm, thus lowering the trem, take off pressure on the neck for a long period of time, only for the pressure to come back when you take it out?

I thought radical & often string pressure changes on the neck was a bad thing. Am I wrong?

Thanks for all of the information/input...I've always wondered about what do to with my whammy bar when putting in in the case...