How to Set Up an Aftermarket Jazzmaster Tremolo

The Guitarfetish Jazzmaster style tremolo on the Partscaster Stratomaster was wobbly and loose in the socket out of the box so Kirk finds some methods of setting it up.

[@eternallearner8185]

I did the zip tie mod on my mij jazzmaster a few years ago, simple reliable solution. Thanks for your vid.

[@dennisnelson4223]

Great video and music. Oral instruction relaxed and well paced.

[@electron7373]

Sounds after your setup!

[@Sprinklgrl]

I had the opposite problem w those little tab things. The arm got stuck halfway and won’t go further, and it won’t come out. I’m at my wits end trying to get it out or in :( idk wtf happened because it worked fine yesterday

[@djavlarwav]

Great video!!!!

[@MakeGuitar]

deadSILENCE _950 thanks much @deadSILENCE!

[@Stewartchampion]

Hi..ive noticed you changed your bridge to a roller one....did you plug the guitar and re drill it to take the new bridge...or did the new bridge parts fit straight in the existing holes...thank u

[@ColecoJoe]

Nice job man! Are there any particular note intervals you use to set the float like on a strat or do you just eyeball it?

[@MakeGuitar]

Thanks ColecoJoe! I adjusted the tremolo to until the trem stopped knocking on the back of the baseplate when the arm is pulled back, which is about the point that it would be if it had the lock switch. I forgot to show a drawing of the jazzmaster lock switch in profile. Anyway, it’s more of a eyeball and test thing. I’ve actually never owned a strat so I have yet to experience the strat trem floating procedure.

[@matiasdiaz512]

Gracias hermano

[@freddybuiatti]

Mine just keeps coming out while I’m playing, I don’t get why, I need help

[@MakeGuitar]

Freddy Buiatti have you tried compressing the collet with a zip tie and wrapping base of the arm with Teflon tape (like 1.5”)? After doing this my tremolo arm stays where I put it and doesn’t fall out.

[@freddybuiatti]

MakeGuitar I haven’t actually, but I don’t think my Mexican Jazzmaster’s tremolo system is set up exactly like yours, I had a go with it yesterday but just couldn’t fix it, kinda disappointing cause I love using the whammy bar

[@MakeGuitar]

Freddy Buiatti I’d try just wrapping the arm with a small amount of Teflon tape then. That’s all I did before I learned the zip tie trick and it will keep the tremolo arm from being too loose. Just wrap it once or twice around so the arm still fits into the barrel and turns.

[@freddybuiatti]

MakeGuitar appreciate the help homie! I’ll give it a go for sure

[@pault4249]

it still sounds like it’s knocking after you made the adjustment to the spring. is there a workaround to make it truly float and not knock when you let go of the trem arm after using it ?

[@Glicksman1]

I just bought a 2018 60th Anniversary'58 Jazzmaster. If I push the vibrato arm down hard, is stays where it to be.

[@abdulbasyirmohddahalan3374]

Can this tremolo pulled up like receased Floyd rose.going to love jazzmaster after experiencing mentally headache of strats different dimension size and scale.

[@MakeGuitar]

The jazzmaster trem is really good for a half step up or down, if you have it adjusted properly to float. Not really a dive-bomber like a Floyd.

[@aaronjackson117]

why won't mine produce the effect after i screw it in

[@MakeGuitar]

Check to see if turning the screw next to the arm counterclockwise (loosen) has any effect. Maybe the spring is too compressed?

[@aaronjackson117]

@@MakeGuitar i actually learned it was because I was pressing it incorrectly! I thought you had to rotate it when you were supposed to press it down.

[@molekyyli]

I'm here to just educate myself (don't own this), it still makes sound when you use it, so my question is, is that typical/inevitable for this trem system?

[@MakeGuitar]

I’ve never had the Fender brand version so I can’t speak to that but, I have two of the GFS brand terms and they both make some noise when the arm is released quickly, but not audible through the amp. One is noisier than the other, possibly due to it being set to “float”. The other one is also on a long scale guitar so that probably helps add tension.

[@molekyyli]

@@MakeGuitar Thank you for the answer! :)

[@roghib666]

Is the jazzmaster trem up and down or just down?

[@MakeGuitar]

Roghib Asfahani the jazzmaster tremolo is a floating tailpiece so it will go up and down. The movement is more limited than say a strat. Also, these aftermarket Guitarfetish trems don’t come with a lock switch so if you break a string while set up for floating, you will be out of tune. I have this one set up for floating and another on the deck that I use for playing live.

[@chandler1390]

Does it have a non rocking bridge with rollers? If so what brand is it?

[@MakeGuitar]

Yes. This is a Wilkinson roller bridge from Guitarfetish. It’s mounted on standard tune-o-matic studs.

[@chandler1390]

Does it direct fit for a reissue rocking bridge?

[@drmonster6357]

Not trying to be an asshole but why would you use a zip tie and teflon tape on a guitar instead of using more reliable materials (like wire to compress the collet instead of a tie) . Eventually the zip tie will break and the teflon tape will wear out. Isn't there a more permanent solution ?

[@MakeGuitar]

Thanks for your comment. Teflon tape is a pretty standard fix for trem arms that shudder in the collet. It keeps the arm from swinging freely in the socket. It does need to be replaced when the arm is taken out and replaced though. I just keep a roll in my guitar bag. The zip tie is a pretty standard fix for this type of trem. I think I learned about it on the offset guitar forum. I’ve never had issues with the zip tie wearing out. My feeling is that wire would wear out just as quickly. It’s similar to the plastic tension rings that companies like Wilkinson use to steady the arm on their pop in strat trem bars, only those are tensioned using a set screw.

[@cobowe]

Nylon tiewraps are a cheap and concise fix. If your made of money go buy the Staytrem arm and collar