Upgrade Jazzmaster / Jaguar Trem from Squier to Fender?

[@lefthandluke8923]

I picked up a used J Mascis Squire which is basically exactly what you have. I loved everything about the guitar at first sight, but the trem creaked like the lid of a 300-year-old casket. Absolutely obnoxious. Made from a bad batch of pot metal. I replaced it with the exact model that you chose, although I paid 69USD for mine. :( All of that aside, it was TOTALLY worth it for me. Thanks for the video!

[@NathanSink]

Nice! Glad it worked for you. 👍🏻

[@metamorphone]

thanks for the guide, I got the Japanese one off eBay and its a HUGE improvement

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help! 👍🏻

[@Mesa3077Boogie]

Just got my first Jazzmaster. Been playing for over 20 years and never knew you could re use strings.. In my defense, I play Les Paul's and use a crazy string winding technique.. and there are no slots on my tuners 😉

[@NathanSink]

Glad I could offer a new idea. In my defense, I'm cheap. 😂

[@NintenDub]

You guys and your string wraps..just string em like a normal person. Your not getting any better tuning or benefit than anybody elsse is

[@user-nz5em5wg2h]

Thanks 😎

[@NathanSink]

@@user-nz5em5wg2h glad to help!

[@philipmonaghan8267]

Excellent informative video especially the bit concerning the trem locking button. I have a Fender bassV1 Pawn shop model, the button is VERY stiff to move and appears to have no effect, ow i know why ! Thank you! Time to dig the screwdrivers out!!!

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help!

[@mattgehringer7292]

Nathan once again you have uploaded an EXCELLENT video!! I really enjoyed your video a while back on "Exhaustive Jazzmaster Bridge Options List?" I finally settled on a Staytrem bridge for my Squire Vintage Modified Jaguar and it works beautifully!!! And yes I would like to see an exhaustive video on Fender Jaguar/Jazzmaster Tremolo Assemblies.

[@NathanSink]

Matt Gehringer thanks! Glad the Staytrem worked out for you. 👍🏻 We'll see what I can do about that exhaustive trem video. 😊

[@theuglytruth886]

Cool vid, really helpful. Thanks :)

[@NathanSink]

TheUglyTruth! Well Ain't it? Thank you!Glad to help.

[@victor.chousal]

Very good technical info, I appreciate! Suscribed!

[@NathanSink]

Thanks! Glad to help. 👍🏻

[@danielcruz1263]

Appreciate your videos man! Keep them coming. :)

[@NathanSink]

Thanks! 😊

[@afterstars]

Lots of good info. Thank you

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help!

[@summerbrainrock]

Great content Nathan!

[@NathanSink]

Thanks!

[@matthewbolduc2714]

Last week I installed a Fender USA trem on my aftermarket nonSquier jazzmaster. Horrible job mainly because the trem rout was not big enough or deep enough in several spots and had to be modified. Evidently on squires you don't need to modify the rout. This is important. I have lots of sharp wood chisels and a rubber mallet. I carefully used a 1/2" chisel to reshape the cavity. This worked but I am purchasing a 'trimmer' at harbor freight to use for routing. The trimmer should prove useful for a number of purposes. Installing the USA trem I found the apparatus to be rubbing on the sides of the modified rout in a few places and more careful chiseling made for a friction free and great installation. This USA trem is set up correctly and easily licks in place for string changes, etc. The trem floats excellently and is a super mega great improvement over the noname stock jag trem on the budget jazzmaster. I also installed Lindy Fralin overwound nickel covered p90s in it along with a golden age premium wiring kit for the controls switch and jack. The new cts pots are both audio taper, 1 v 1 t 3 way witchcraft switch and witchcraft output jack. This jazzmaster plays and sounds great. Has a bound rosewood fretboard and purple metallic paint with a very coolly designed fathead headstock. Nevertheless I'm buying a new player jazzmaster or jaguar because the overall quality and engineering on the mim Fender are a world apart from my cheap imitation. I am keeping, however, my super ultra mega cool immitation. Bottom line - upgrading a classic vibe Squier would be far far easier than upgrading a noname imitation like mine and in the end you would have a very cool guitar, possibly. But you sre guaranteed to have a very super cool guitar with a relatively affordable player jazzmaster.

[@NathanSink]

Good information. Thanks for sharing!

[@matthewbolduc2714]

@@NathanSink Time and money can greatly be saved by looking closely at the requirements of the job you are trying to do, with your eyes and not assuming you know the dimensions of rout channels, etc. Take everything you are replacing apart to make sure your replacement parts will actually fit into the required location without modification. Know if you are definitely going to need to remove wood to accommodate your new part and have the trimmer or other tools at hand for doing the job. Things like this job can easily take 10x the time anticipated and cost more money than expected. And can be way more difficult to do. These things factor into the end value of your project. Try to develop skills that are equal to the project - and that will be a challenge. Use your eyes. Eyes are precision instruments capable of very accurate estimating and reading fine increments on measuring devices. This is better than assuming or imagining the situation.

[@GenosGlory]

Great video. Personally I want to keep em Squire as they are as the point is buying cheap and if investments in mind better get a real Fender because if you want to sell it you can get a good price.Upgrading a Squier may not bring back the investment you make unless you want to keep it for life. Shielding they should do it from factory.

[@NathanSink]

Quantum Music Creations thanks for the feedback. 👍🏻

[@Great-Documentaries]

Plenty of Squiers sell for more used than they did new. Not that any consumer guitar is an investment, but the old advice about buying a Fender "because they hold their value" better than Squiers is complete BS. Go purchase a SS VM Jag bass or a Squier 51 right now and see how they are twice (or more) as much as they were new. And yes, putting unnecessary "upgrades" on them does decrease their value FWIW.

[@GenosGlory]

@@Great-Documentaries I have been guitars for 2 decades man. Sold most guitars for less than I paid. Yoy mentioned only 2 there and a £150 after 15 years? Come on man and you call it BS. Most used guitars have no profit value only a few make it into that category. One Squier is the JMascis Jazzmasters which I own and which is a sought after. A few SE PRS guitars as well hold their value. Its a difficult market depending on year as well.

[@rakusin]

JVRI vs AVRI: the difference is metric measurements vs imperial measurements. The case with CP made in Korea trem is rare bcs always Korea and China make metric parts, and the CP is MIM, so it makes no sense to have a 10-32 threaded arm instead of M5. Important to know: MIK Fender parts are manufactured by Ping so while they're on budget, they're not cheap and low quality.

[@NathanSink]

Interesting info! But it thought Ping WAS the cheap stuff. I’ve always heard they made the pot metal hardware you find on low-price import guitars. 🤔

[@rakusin]

@@NathanSink South Eastern Asian companies can manufacture whatever you ask them as you're willing to pay for it. They also make the Schaller-like locking tuners found on Am Deluxe and Elite series. Anyway for the price difference, personally I prefer to buy Gotoh Japan for my DIY guitars.

[@NathanSink]

@@rakusin makes sense. Not everything from manufactured in China is cheap (ie iphones 😉). Totally agree on the Gotoh stuff. I’ve always been satisfied with it. 👍🏻

[@rivulus]

000 versus 049 may be sold packaged by fender versus bulk. I think I read that somewhere but cannot find it again.

[@NathanSink]

Roelof van der Kleij thanks for the info! That makes sense.

[@fernandofontesfirmino1803]

Thanks, nice video!

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help! 😊

[@thecappy]

The diff between the USA and Japanese one is the Japanese one uses metric measurements. So diff collet/trem and screw size. You lucked out since squier is made in china it already is metric sized.

[@NathanSink]

Thanks for the info!

[@weaselsuit]

Just did this but the trem arm I have won’t go in far enough.

[@NathanSink]

I eventually bought the Staytrem arm & I’m very happy with it! Here’s the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTMYY2Oistsi8ksi=jPWbQd5oMQ9RoJiv

[@harinagitari8591]

i believe that 000 is push in, and 049 is a threaded arm

[@NathanSink]

Thanks for the info!

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

I agree with you that it doesn’t look good with the “naked” trem assembly. The fender one steps up the aesthetics of it for sure

[@Great-Documentaries]

LOL! Then you could improve the Squier one with a dremel and a good look at the Prada logo. How vain do you have to be to change the trem because it says "Fender" on it? There are legit reasons for changing it. That's really not one of them. If you are going to continue playing Squiers, you need to get over yourself. "Naked." Oh dear.

[@MrDream-zm1pw]

@@Great-Documentaries I play 2 squiers, Biiiiattch. I am over myself. All I am saying is that it looks better. Even if it said "squier" on the assembly it would look much better. On top of that, the MIA is way smoother and better.

[@paulsonn1308]

Thanks

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help. 👍🏻

[@Madeyes6]

You missed the Paranormal trem system. £229 from fender.

[@NathanSink]

Right! (Although I’m not sure it was available at the time I made this video.)

[@Madeyes6]

Ah I just looked & it’s a 3 year old video 😁 Maybe it wasn’t available. Maybe people will read this & have another option.

[@paulfield6815]

Did you just use the mounting screws that were already on your squier tremelo or does the new one come with its own mounting screws? Thanks

[@NathanSink]

I re used the original screws. No screws come with the trem.

[@paulfield6815]

@NathanSink awesome thank you. I'm a total newbie on guitar modifications but this seems like a good and easy first project.

[@igavehimadollar3354]

cheers

[@flfreaks3745]

2:55 what do you mean that Mexico classic tremolo only accepts a threaded arm? Which part of threaded arm part i need to look out for on the guitar? I want to upgrade my Squier Classic Vibe '70s Jaguar tremolo and the ebay tremolo listing I saw run this series number. Will it fit my guitar? Thanks for the video, very informative

[@NathanSink]

If you look at @6:20 in the video, the part of the arm that I push into the trem has no threads. On the Mexico one, there are threads & you have to screw the arm into the trem. And yes, it should fit your Squier. 👍🏻

[@danielcarter3928]

thanks for being honest. i’m just gonna keep the squier one for now!

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help! Yeah, there's nothing wrong with the Squier version.

[@danielcarter3928]

@@NathanSink does the Fender play better and operate better or do they feel pretty similar?

[@NathanSink]

@@danielcarter3928 they feel pretty similar to be honest. However, what really made a big difference for me was buying a Staytrem arm. It just feels more solid & smooth. I tried bending the tip of my old arm but it would still wiggle loose & squeak. Check it out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTMYY2Oistsi8k

[@raleighdentcompany]

LIKED AND SUBBED for NCSU love!! I've been thinking about changing out my J Mascis trem to a Fender or Mastery.

[@NathanSink]

Hey, thanks! Go Wolfpack. 🤘🏻

[@MegaBrebis]

Thank you for the video! I have detuning problems when using the vibrato on my Squier CV Jaguar although I eliminated all the usual suspects. Have you noticed that the Fender trem is more stable?

[@NathanSink]

That's interesting. Hmm, I haven't noticed any difference in tuning stability between the Squier & Fender. Maybe the issue is at the nut of the guitar?

[@jralanmorgan]

Did you check the nut?

[@bonsummers2657]

Use Big Bends Nut Sauce at the nut and bridge.

[@laitentierdotcom]

@@jralanmorgan i’m in a similar situation to the original commenter, what do you look for at the nut? i’m super new to guitar maintenance beyond cleaning, and i wanna figure out what’s causing me to go out of tune when i use the vibrato

[@jralanmorgan]

@@laitentierdotcom Visually isn't always a way to tell. You need to determine if the string is getting caught in the nut, or the string tree. See if all your strings are out or just certain strings when using the trem. If it is just select strings there is a good chance the groove in the nut needs to be smoothed. I find the upgrade to a Fender trem unit helps a lot, but mostly because of the lock to make it only 'bend' down.

[@aaroncurtis4476]

Is there enough cavity for the AVRi trem to sit in the Squier? I've heard you may need to do some sanding to get the AVRi to sit in? Cheers.

[@NathanSink]

I haven’t tried it, so I can’t say for sure…but I can’t imagine that it wouldn’t fit. 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jjstrumr692]

If you have the tension on the spring to LOOSE you cannot lock it. As you tighten the spring pressure you open the gap to allow the lock to slide in and hold the backwards tension to create "stable" tuning in case of a broken string or to just use the tremolo for push action and no pull action. Right?

[@NathanSink]

Close. I think as you tighten the spring you close the gap. offset.guitars/the-goodies/setting-up-the-tremolo-system/

[@jjstrumr692]

@@NathanSink You are 100% correct. Thanks for the clarification...I live in an alternate universe!

[@NathanSink]

@@jjstrumr692 it can be confusing for sure!

[@richardwalley2862]

So all the tremolo plates fit the squire? No differences in string spacing etc?

[@NathanSink]

Should all be the same. 👍🏻

[@StupidEarthlings]

Hmm.. I didnt get the japan one, maybe regular US, and mine is NOT threaded, however, the Squier Trem Arm does NOT fit, its too big.?. any ideas on which model that would be? Says Fender and patent # etc..

[@NathanSink]

Hmm. I’m not sure. I’ve only had direct experience with the Squier & Japanese versions. Wish I could help. 😐

[@JamesBond-pu6qf]

I'm having a nightmare trying to get an answer on why half of these exact models take solid taper bars and half take threaded. Both part numbers used here yield two results even confirmed by Fender! Yours slides right in whereas mine is the same thing and threads... What!!??

[@NathanSink]

That’s crazy! (and frustrating I’m sure). Why can’t it just be straight forward, right?!

[@JamesBond-pu6qf]

@@NathanSink Fender QC for the win. I just went to a guitar store and pulled a few until one worked and then purchased that exact one

[@NathanSink]

@@JamesBond-pu6qf glad you got it sorted out. 👍🏻 I’ve actually changed out the collet (the piece that holds the arm/bar) on my “trem” to one from Staytrem, & I REALLY like it. Not sure if your interested, but the video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTMYY2Oistsi8ksi=EN6kJPLzPD8i2X4w

[@rustycockering9925]

Can the pop-in arm tension be adjusted so that it falls out of the way of the right hand when you let it go?

[@NathanSink]

Not really. You can make it fit tighter by bending the end of the arm slightly (Tapping it a hammer: there are videos out there showing how). Or you can just not push it in as far to make it more loose.

[@RyogaXvX]

Why replace it with a Japanese trem and not an American one?

[@NathanSink]

Basically the price. As I explain in the video @1:49, the American version was about $80 or twice as much as the Japanese version.

[@adrian_V99]

Odd because my Squier VM has a locking screw at the tremolo.

[@NathanSink]

Interesting. Did you buy it new?

[@adrian_V99]

@@NathanSink used. Made in 2017 Indonesia.

[@NathanSink]

@@adrian_V99 that’s about the same year mine is. Maybe the previous owner changed it out?

[@adrian_V99]

@@NathanSink I'll eventually take it apart and let you know. It sure plays a lot better.

[@therockandrollcreeps9398]

can a locking mechanism be added to the squier tremolo?

[@NathanSink]

I’m sure if you had the right tools & skills it could be done!

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

Sadly, the holes on my Fender trem don't exactly line up with the holes on the guitar. What now? LOL

[@anotherheadlessdemo]

And the arm doesn't fit into the new assembly.

[@NathanSink]

What kind of guitar is it?

[@SHERIFF8311]

Hi there, is the stock trem bar any good for the new tailpiece, or I have to get a new one?, thank you👍

[@NathanSink]

Yes, the old one works. See @6:21 in the video.

[@SHERIFF8311]

@@NathanSink great, thank u very much👍

[@jaehyunban924]

I bought a second hand J Mascis jazzmaster same as yours. The previous owner replaced the squier stock trem to fender one. But the squier arm does not fit.. Is this just a problem of setting? Or Should I buy a new fender arm?

[@NathanSink]

Interesting. Yeah, mine isn’t a J Mascis, but I would imagine the Vintage Modified is the same. As you can see @6:21, the Squier arm fit the Fender trem. It just pushes right in.

[@jaehyunban924]

@@NathanSink Thank you for quick reply. I think I should a buy fender arm 'cause it seems the arm would never get into the hole correctly. And if it doesn't fit I'll go to a luthier.

[@sconni666]

Honestly, if you’re gonna upgrade , just get the Mastery and be done with it. The Fender ones crap out too.

[@NathanSink]

Gotta say, I’ve been completely satisfied with the Staytrem…& for a lot less money than the Mastery. 😬

[@sconni666]

@@NathanSink yeah, but the Mastery looks so cool 😎

[@NathanSink]

@@sconni666 it does! 😂 I would definitely rock one if I had it. 🤘🏻

[@NathanSink]

This whole time I thought you were talking about the Mastery BRIDGE (not trem). 🤪 I would help if I referenced the video you commented on. 😂 Anyway, here is a video I made on the Staytrem bridge & collet (for the trem arm), for what it’s worth: kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTMYY2Oistsi8ksi=0yuSBgVyQXh8ilxY

[@sconni666]

@@NathanSink I was talking about both. The arm on my TVL Jazzmaster won’t click into place and comes out easily. So I was interested in the Staytrem $35 solution, as I liked the Fender trem just fine. And it has the Fender’ insignia on it which I think is sharp. But I ran into some money, so being a good boy this year I went full Mastery and it’s super dope. And I know it will be for life. So yeah, on a budget I’d totally go Staytrem, but if you got the means, Mastery is the shit. Thanks dude. 🎸🎛

[@jeffelbelping1844]

Thanks for the informative video. I was planning to upgrade my Player Jazzmaster with the same tailpiece you used. For the benefit of other interested viewers, the place I found this for $45ish was Amazon item B079M3NSPN, and that collet is threaded. So the stock push-in Player Jazzmaster arm will not work.

[@NathanSink]

Glad to help. Thanks for sharing your experience!

[@matthewbolduc2714]

The stock player arm will also 'not work' on the USA jag trem with the push in arm, however my stock push in arm on my USA version stays in place, doesn't flop around. It cost about $85 on Amazon. The correct arm is also offered by Amazon fir about $15 or less and it works very perfectly.

[@edwardkujawa]

i had a classic player had lot of trouble with vibrato arm and Gibson type bridge

[@thatsright2352]

PLEASE man put out a video about your intro it is fcking sick and i want to learn it :o

[@NathanSink]

That's Right thanks! Although I wrote the song, I didn't actually play the guitar part. It was played by the producer, Kendal Osborne. I can try to figure it out though & maybe post a video. If you want to hear the whole song, it's here:. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gILYgYatj9d_fpY . The part you hear on my intro video is at about 4:04 in the song. 😊

[@thatsright2352]

Nathan Sink thank you i hope u will post that video in the near future and your videos are awsome and helpful thank you for the great work ;)

[@RobertNolan]

There are plenty of reasons to swap the tremolo unit, I would go for the AVRI Nick, mostly it's for the lock. available on the Squier and even some of the Fender versions, but also the tremolo spring has more fluidity and the collet which holds the trem arm clicks and holds the arm in place. It's an incredibly solid design and great upgrade for a good price. Also, looks like you bought the Japanese, so make sure you purchase the correct arm for it to click in or swap out the collet.

[@NathanSink]

Robert Nolan thanks, yeah the Squier trem arm actually fits perfectly in the Japanese version. See @6:21

[@RobertNolan]

@@NathanSink yeah it definitely does fit, but if you see what the Japanese arm looks like, there's usually a cut out and you'll actually hear it click in (you can see where it'll lock into the collet when it's turned over.) The arm you have will work fine for the Japanese one, AND some of the Mexican ones, but they call it a push in design. It's good but can be over pushed and then it bends the collet, where as the Japanese and AVRI/American Original just has a little click to lock it in for their arm design. Glad you like it though, they're a wonderful and arguably essential upgrade as I've always told people on Reddit. Also I enjoy the look of the dot neck, nice switch back.

[@NathanSink]

Robert Nolan ah, I see. Didn't think about the notched arm. I've put a little bend in mine, so it doesn't just fall out. Hopefully I don't bend the collet, like you described. Maybe I should just look for a Japanese made arm. 🤔

[@RobertNolan]

@@NathanSink it should be fine for now, and I think you can get a replacement collet if it ever comes to that. Most people just bend it back in place unless a tab breaks off or something.

[@tomk1tl39]

@@NathanSink Great video. I'm building a Jazzmaster from scratch. I bought a Jaguar Squire and replaced the tremolo w/a locking trem but the trem arm is a screw in job. Needs a spring inside the collet otherwise the arm will snug up in a weird position. I may take the new trem system and put it in the Jazzmaster and replace the old trem system back into the Jag. Another issue is the original bridge sucks. I got one from Warmoth and seems to work OK as I can adjust the string heights and lines up with the nut fairly good. Sorry for the bandwidth on the Jaguar but they pretty much are similar except for the PU's and the electronics.

[@Kenzabukuro]

Trem bars look great in the rubbish bin

[@NathanSink]

Ken 😂

[@danadams8649]

Ken short for karen?

[@pyrimid]

Dude….. that’s maybe one the dumber things I’ve read on KZbin

[@guitaraddicted2649]

You just ruined a nice jazzmaster.

[@NathanSink]

guitar addicted - Noted.

[@pyrimid]

What? How can you make a squire worse? 🤣

[@EMPTYKProductions]

Did I see that u taped the bridge posts? I presume this diminishes the floating aspect of the bridge. Did u find that that helped overall? Was is just blue tape u used or did u get something else to our around them?

[@NathanSink]

Great observation & great question! I honestly can’t remember how I ended up with the painters tape. 😂 I don’t know if I did it or a luthier I took it to once did it. HOWEVER, if you watch my recent Staytrem video (kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpTMYY2Oistsi8k) you’ll see at about the 3:32 mark that Staytrem also employs a similar type of “surrounding” around the bridge posts. It would seem these might inhibit the floating aspect like you said…but maybe it somehow enhances it so that it doesn’t move too much? Or, the Staytrem ones might be to keep the height adjustment screws in place. Dunno. 🤔