New Fender Vibrato?

For help with setups and other technical issues.
Post Reply
User avatar
ChrisDesign
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 322
Joined: Sun Sep 22, 2019 9:21 pm
Location: UK
Contact:

New Fender Vibrato?

Post by ChrisDesign » Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:40 pm

I have a 2017 Jazzmaster Standard, made in Mexico with the cheap vibrato. I’ve already upgraded the bridge to a Staytrem and have never looked back. But if there any advantage to upgrading the vibrato to an American model?
"I own a '66 Jaguar. That's the guitar I polish, and baby - I refuse to let anyone touch it when I jump into the crowd." - Kurt Cobain

User avatar
adamrobertt
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 2408
Joined: Sun Mar 28, 2010 10:28 am
Contact:

Re: New Fender Vibrato?

Post by adamrobertt » Sat Mar 28, 2020 7:01 am

ChrisDesign wrote:
Fri Mar 27, 2020 4:40 pm
I have a 2017 Jazzmaster Standard, made in Mexico with the cheap vibrato. I’ve already upgraded the bridge to a Staytrem and have never looked back. But if there any advantage to upgrading the vibrato to an American model?
If you search these forums you'll probably find about 104853752495426936 posts about this, I reckon. Short answer: yes.

User avatar
parry
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 8509
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2008 10:08 am
Location: Ontario, CANADA
Contact:

Re: New Fender Vibrato?

Post by parry » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:31 am

If you use the trem quite a lot, then yes. A little improvement. Mostly in the feel of the arm and the arm's travel. Some people prefer the feel of the spring on American trems as compared to the stiffer MIM springs. The trem arms on the American units pop in and are tension-fit - as opposed to being screwed in - so you might experience issues with the arm not staying put. As mentioned, there are a bajillion threads on that subject as well.

If you don't use the trem (a lot of people don't) and don't intend on it - I wouldn't bother..
Fighting for peace is like fucking for virginity.

User avatar
Larry Mal
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 19673
Joined: Mon Nov 29, 2010 4:25 pm
Location: Saint Louis, MO

Re: New Fender Vibrato?

Post by Larry Mal » Sat Mar 28, 2020 8:36 am

I rarely use the vibrato on my guitars but still upgraded the unit on my MIJ Jazzmaster, mainly though because I bought a Mastery unit for my AVRI and switched the AVRI unit to my MIJ.

I would consider the AVRI unit or the American Pro if that is different to be the base level I would accept.
Back in those days, everyone knew that if you were talking about Destiny's Child, you were talking about Beyonce, LaTavia, LeToya, and Larry.

User avatar
seawalker
PAT. # 2.972.923
PAT. # 2.972.923
Posts: 84
Joined: Tue Feb 25, 2020 7:44 am
Location: America

Re: New Fender Vibrato?

Post by seawalker » Sat Mar 28, 2020 10:41 am

I made the same switch a few years back. The AVRI part is much thicker and heavier duty, and seemed to be a higher quality part. It was a direct swap, too, which was nice. I felt the action was smoother than before. Tonal differences, if there were any I couldn't tell. I guess if you think it's better then in some ways it is better.

You can probably find a used one somewhere, from someone who swapped for the Mastery part.

User avatar
Maggieo
Expat
Expat
Posts: 13446
Joined: Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:36 am
Location: Nebraska, USA
Contact:

Re: New Fender Vibrato?

Post by Maggieo » Sat Mar 28, 2020 12:42 pm

seawalker wrote:
Sat Mar 28, 2020 10:41 am
I made the same switch a few years back. The AVRI part is much thicker and heavier duty, and seemed to be a higher quality part. It was a direct swap, too, which was nice. I felt the action was smoother than before. Tonal differences, if there were any I couldn't tell. I guess if you think it's better then in some ways it is better.

You can probably find a used one somewhere, from someone who swapped for the Mastery part.
Yo, hit me up.
“Now I am quietly waiting for/ the catastrophe of my personality/ to seem beautiful again.”- Frank O'Hara
I am not an attorney and this post is for entertainment purposes only. Please consult a licensed attorney in your state for legal advice.

Post Reply