Rondo1
Joined: Apr 01, 2016
Posts: 89
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 08:12 AM
I've got a first reissue mij Jazzmaster I bought in '86 and the whammy arm is limp. I always have to reach for it.I've tried double stick tape which just gummed everything up! I even switched it out with an arm from an Eastwood but after while, it went limp too! Do they make viagra for whammy bars?
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tahitijack
Joined: Nov 03, 2006
Posts: 690
San Clemente, CA
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 08:20 AM
Try dropping a Fender whammy bar spring into the hole where the WB goes. Guitar Center has the little springs. Hope this helps.
— Happy Sunsets!
Last edited: Feb 17, 2017 08:57:48
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Toneschaser
Joined: Jun 14, 2012
Posts: 462
Ohio!
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 08:31 AM
Gently kink the end a little by clamping it in a vise or hitting it lightly with a hammer.
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Reverbenator
Joined: Jul 26, 2015
Posts: 257
San Diego, Ca
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 08:39 AM
I had that problem with my '04 MIJ Jazzmaster. Solved it with a Staytrem arm from the UK. It was less than $20; $13 and some change, I believe.
The arm itself isn't that much different than the one the guitar comes with, but it has a nylon collet that fits snugly in the hole and keeps the arm in place, wherever you leave it. Works great. I also put one in my '04 MIJ Jaguar. The company is great to deal with, as well.
— -Cheers, Clark-
-Less Paul, more Reverb-
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Rondo1
Joined: Apr 01, 2016
Posts: 89
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 11:45 AM
Thanks for the tips. I use the springs on my start so I'm familiar with them. I like the nylon doodad idea. I'll give it a try. Look for a new Rondo Hatton CD this spring! Thanks again. Bruce
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JakeDobner
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 12159
Seattle
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 12:54 PM
tahitijack wrote:
Try dropping a Fender whammy bar spring into the hole where the WB goes. Guitar Center has the little springs. Hope this helps.
This won't work, Jazzmasters/Jags have a completely hollow slot where the arm goes. A spring would fall through.
Staytrem is the most effective method. Kinking the arm is the second most effective method and almost as effective as the Staytrem. Kinking is as effective on AVRI/Vintage arms but MIJ arms don't fit as well to begin with.
"Do not use tape." - Somebody who has used tape. Tape isn't solid, is too sticky, takes time to wrap perfectly, and will come off.
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murph
Joined: Dec 16, 2010
Posts: 331
Chapel Hill, NC
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 01:23 PM
+1 for the Staytrem solution.
i recently acquired a TVL JM and couldn't believe how poorly the trem arm fit/functioned. It was loose, clunky, and luckily squeaked like crazy. Why lucky? It was way easier to justify spending another $30 to fix the problem (on a new guitar) when my wife asked "is there anything you can do to get rid of that squeaking?".
-murph
— http://www.reverbnation.com/elmiragesurf
http://www.reverbnation.com/aminorconspiracy
"I knew I was in trouble when the Coco-Loco tasted like water!" -- morphball
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MissingLink
Joined: Jul 23, 2008
Posts: 488
Edge of the East China Sea
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 06:27 PM
I'm going to have to cast a dissenting vote against the revered Staytrem. I bought mine two and a half years ago, and it's flopping already. Naturally, I've tried pushing on it to make sure it's still seated fully, but that's not the problem; it's clear that the nylon bushing is just wearing out.
The best solution I've ever found for JED (Jazzmaster erectile dysfunction) is to cut a sliver of plastic and slip it into the collet where the the arm is inserted. That clear plastic commonly used on blister packs works great. Cut a piece about as long as the part of the arm that goes into the guitar. Hold onto it with tweezers (it's going to be a really slender piece) and slide it into the collet together with the arm. I've been using this on my Jag for years, and it's apparently about as durable as a Staytrem -- and when it does wear out, it costs nothing to replace.
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crumble
Joined: Sep 09, 2008
Posts: 3158
Guildford England
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 07:19 PM
I haven't tried this but Polymorph plastic might work. There's a few demos on YouTube if anyone is interested. I couldn't live without Polymorph now.
It's a bag of graduals which gel together in hot water, pliable when warm and as hard as nylon when cool, can be re-used over and over again and isn't sticky.
Push some in and around the trem-arm and it'll form a made to measure plastic bush.
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Squid
Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1011
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 09:03 PM
For the past six years this very easy and fast method has continued to work perfectly. It works so well I haven't thought about it in five years. I use a small length (about 1") of rubber tubing where the vibrato arm enters the receptacle. The rubber tubing is entirely outside the receptacle and it is over both the outside of the receptacle and the vibrato arm. Underneath the rubber tubing I wound cloth friction tape, for more friction with the rubber tubing. You can use cloth medical adhesive tape instead of friction tape.
These are common inexpensive materials easily obtained. It sure has been durable.
— Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com
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Rondo1
Joined: Apr 01, 2016
Posts: 89
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Posted on Feb 17 2017 09:47 PM
Wow! I didn't think I'd be the only guy with a soggy whammy. Thanks loads for your help. Mine will be back in action tomorrow. Rondo Hatton out!!
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Rondo1
Joined: Apr 01, 2016
Posts: 89
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Posted on Feb 20 2017 11:10 AM
Hey Squid...I tried your plastic trick on the soggy Jazzmaster whammy...worked great...thanks for the tip. Bruce w/Rondo Hatton.
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Squid
Joined: Aug 22, 2010
Posts: 1011
Portland, Oregon with Insanitizers
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Posted on Feb 21 2017 01:30 PM
Rondo1 wrote:
Hey Squid...I tried your plastic trick on the soggy Jazzmaster whammy...worked great...thanks for the tip. Bruce w/Rondo Hatton.
Hey Rondo, you are so welcome, and I'm delighted it helped.
— Insanitizers! http://www.insanitizers.com
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