Need tremolo help, please

schoolie · Post by **schoolie** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:11 pm

Hi!

My Jag build has a tremolo problem. It's a Guitar Mill body and AVRI trem. Symptom is that it feels like the back of the trem plate is hitting the edge of the tremolo route. The problem is that I think I've sanded the edge of the route enough so that the plate should not be hitting i, and the corners are squared off. If I loosen the trem spring, attach the trem, and try pressing down on the arm, it seems to operate fine. However when I string the guitar up to standard tuning, I have the problem again. I really have to push/pull on the arm to get the plate to move and the plate does not return to the zero point. I've gone though the sand, screw in trem, string guitar up cycle a few times.

Is there a way to determine if the plate will clear the route without having to string the guitar each time?
Any tips on how to see where the trem plate is hitting the trem route?
Are there any trem defects that could cause the same symptoms? Does it sounds like it's definitely a problem with the route?

These are the best pics I could take of the route:

Thanks!

Rob

gaybear · Post by **gaybear** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:24 pm

i have no good info, but just wanna say welcome to the board, and yay for a new person making a good initial thread

rodvonbon · Post by **rodvonbon** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:42 pm

It seems odd that it works okay with the tension spring loose, but binds up when it's tightened. The movement of the trem should have the same clearance no matter how tight the spring is, shouldn't it? I would suggest only stringing up both E strings until you figure it out, that way you don't have to restring the whole thing and the E's should pull enough tension to keep the back plate even.
Not very helpful, I know.

schoolie · Post by **schoolie** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:52 pm

gaybear wrote:i have no good info, but just wanna say welcome to the board, and yay for a new person making a good initial thread

Thanks for the kind welcome, gaybear!

schoolie · Post by **schoolie** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 7:57 pm

rodvonbon wrote:It seems odd that it works okay with the tension spring loose, but binds up when it's tightened. The movement of the trem should have the same clearance no matter how tight the spring is, shouldn't it? I would suggest only stringing up both E strings until you figure it out, that way you don't have to restring the whole thing and the E's should pull enough tension to keep the back plate even.
Not very helpful, I know.

Thanks for the feedback! With no tension from the strings, maybe there is more play that allows the plate to move. Without string pull, only the collet side of the plate is really moving, as you mentioned. I'll try your suggestions, tonight. I might also try swapping in a known working trem unit, from a different guitar. All this installing/removing is has been a good workout

Here's a little teaser pic of it assembled:

rodvonbon · Post by **rodvonbon** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:13 pm

Damn that looks good. Love the color.

schoolie · Post by **schoolie** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:25 pm

rodvonbon wrote:Damn that looks good. Love the color.

Thanks, man! It's taken me a year to get it to this point

Finishing isn't easy in San Francisco

rodvonbon · Post by **rodvonbon** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 8:26 pm

I must have missread your op. I thought you were saying it moves fine all strung up, with the tension spring loose. It sounds like the string plate is hitting for sure. Have you looked for pictures of an AVRI body without the trem installed? It might give you an idea of how far the route needs to be opened up in relation to where the screw holes are.

schoolie · Post by **schoolie** » Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:26 pm

rodvonbon wrote:I must have missread your op. I thought you were saying it moves fine all strung up, with the tension spring loose. It sounds like the string plate is hitting for sure. Have you looked for pictures of an AVRI body without the trem installed? It might give you an idea of how far the route needs to be opened up in relation to where the screw holes are.

Good idea! I have an AVRI at home, and the holes look to be at the right position, but Ill make a tracing of the route and holes and compare with the Jag.

Thanks!