CaptainSensible
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 650
Leesburg, VA
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 07:00 AM
I have a Classic Player Jazzmaster. I want to be able to fix the arm in place rather than having it dangle about. I was reading about fixes last night (tape, bending the arm) when I came across these tremolo arm tension springs. Anybody using these, particularly with a CP JM?
Tremolo Arm Tension Springs
— Sean
Last edited: Oct 24, 2015 07:05:06
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CaptainSensible
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 650
Leesburg, VA
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 07:03 AM
Whoops. Edit error.
— Sean
Last edited: Oct 24, 2015 07:04:41
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SanchoPansen
Joined: Jan 04, 2011
Posts: 1588
Berlin L-Berg
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 07:16 AM
I always thought those springs are only useful for Strat style trems, as the upforce caused by the spring causes the threads to get 'stuck' a little.
— The Hicadoolas
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djangodeadman
Joined: Jan 25, 2007
Posts: 1569
Brighton UK
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 07:30 AM
SanchoPansen wrote:
I always thought those springs are only useful for Strat style trems, as the upforce caused by the spring causes the threads to get 'stuck' a little.
That's my understanding too - and in that context they work very well.
— Los Fantasticos
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 07:54 AM
I suspect if a JM trem arm is flopping around it may be simply a matter of the collet (underneath, into which the arm goes) needing tightening.
The Strat springs do work to supply some upward tension on the arm, with one caution: If you get over-zealous after putting it in the channel and crank the arm down too far it's possible to get that spring locked in there holding itself against the threads. A dental pick for fishing (finessing) it outta there will do the trick. A tool everyone should have.
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 10:14 AM
As Badger says, the collet is at fault.
To me, the best solution is bending the arm slightly(and I do mean slightly). Tape isn't a good soltuion as your action will be sloppy.
Also, the spring tension screw in the middle of the unit is very important to a solid feeling trem with good action. It needs to be resting in a good place for decent response and so it doesn't have play before it effects pitch.
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 11:16 AM
JakeDobner wrote:
To me, the best solution is bending the arm slightly(and I do mean slightly).
I'm not sure whether Polymorph is as popular in the states as it is here (UK) but I can't live without the stuff especially for making guitar repair tools and templates, you are only limited by your imagination!!
I don't own a Jag/Jazzmaster at the moment but if I did I'd try pushing some Polymorph into the tremolo arm location point (with the arm in situation). It might make a fairly good DIY bush, it isn't sticky by the way.
Polymorph pellets becomes pliable in hot water and goes hard when cool very much like nylon. I use it for allsorts of things like this Jaguar pickup template when I was making my own blank pickguard.
It is reusable too - check it on YouTube.
Last edited: Oct 24, 2015 11:18:20
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Kuk
Joined: Feb 13, 2007
Posts: 134
NW Fla Gulf Coast
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Posted on Oct 24 2015 12:01 PM
A small faucet washer slid over the collet "teeth" will add tension to the arm.
Use a drill on the inside of the washer to get the tension just right, and a sharp knife to trim the outside circumference so it doesn't interfere with the wall of the cavity.
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vintagesurfdude
Joined: Nov 28, 2011
Posts: 795
Prescott Valley, AZ
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Posted on Oct 25 2015 12:59 AM
The springs are only for screw in trem arms like on Strats. most JM's use a collect, I "pinched" mine slightly with pliers (be gentle they break easily) And it's been fine.
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CaptainSensible
Joined: Nov 08, 2006
Posts: 650
Leesburg, VA
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Posted on Oct 25 2015 06:19 AM
The trem arm on my CP Jazzmaster does screw in so maybe I will give these springs a try before trying something else.
— Sean
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Badger
Joined: Nov 16, 2013
Posts: 4537
Wisconsin
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Posted on Oct 25 2015 08:24 AM
CaptainSensible wrote:
The trem arm on my CP Jazzmaster does screw in so maybe I will give these springs a try before trying something else.
Ahh, didn't realize that. FYI, the springs are just under 5/32" in outside diameter (.146 to .150) and 1/2" long. So you might want to check that the inside diameter ('cause there are threads down there) will allow it to sit freely, as well as check the length so you can get the arm in completely to your liking. The Strat springs are pretty stiff. Using the above dimensions you may want to just check the local hardware store & play with some different ones, different length/tension, etc. (That is, if you have a good hardware store that still sells stuff out of little bins & drawers before you go buy a dozen.)
— Wes
SoCal ex-pat with a snow shovel
DISCLAIMER: The above is opinion/suggestion only & should not be used for mission planning/navigation, tweaking of instruments, beverage selection, or wardrobe choices.
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el_camello
Joined: Jul 04, 2010
Posts: 369
Ottawa
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Posted on Oct 25 2015 09:52 AM
I had the same problem with a CPS jaguar and did use the strat springs for a while until the threads got completely stripped. Then I got the staytrem (I asked for a shorter trem arm to compensate for the vibrato placement) and that solved the dangling problem 100%.
— -Pierre
The Obsidians! (Ottawa surf)
The Obsidians debut EP
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