Jazzmaster/Jaguar Tremolo Differences?

[NickNobody]

Hey Guys,

I hope this isn't the 235646546th thread on the differences of Fender Jag/JM Tremolo units.... But still I wonder...

Is there a difference between USA AVRI, Japanese, Mexican, Aftermarket (non-genuine) Fender Tremolo units? If there isn't, why is there such a huge price difference between the American and (for example) the japanese version of that same tremolo?

I'm just going through that whole putting a new guitar together which has no screw-holes (oooh, naughty word, haha) in it and the whole "Oh my, the holes from the Japanese Pickguard won't fit an american one and this and that, ladida-ladida"-kind of shizzenga-talk...

It's annoying, I love Fender and I love the fact that parts are so easily available, but sheesh why do they have to make gazillion versions of every little screw?! It's annoying. I don't want my Jag to be all "oh, this is only for Japanese parts, this will only fit American parts" and so on....

btw. this is the guitar I'm onna drill the holes in...

[schoolie]

My experience is limited, but the Japanese and US trem units should fit fine. I don't know about the MIM trem. You can find the AVRI trem on Ebay for $57 which is not much more expensive than the MIJ part. I've heard the US tremolos are made of better metal, the springs are stronger, etc. That could be BS, as I've only bought the US trem.

[RumorsOFsurF]

While I have no experience with MIM trems, I believe they're the same as an AVRI, except for the threaded collet.(part where the arm inserts)

The difference between Japanese and US trems is night and day, IMO. Japanese trems don't seem to be as smooth, and can be squeaky. The metal is indeed thinner on the plate, which doesn't affect function, but it doesn't look as good to me. I wouldn't bother with Japanese trems, personally. Buy the good one.

[andy_tchp]

Agree with the above. The AVRI trem is noticeably 'heavier' with thicker construction all round. The Japanese trems also don't run the outer strings straight over the bridge saddles - they angle inwards for some reason.

The screw holes will line up regardless of which you buy.

My experiences with both:

I replaced the Japanese trem on my CIJ Jazzmaster with an AVRI unit a few months ago. I kept having problems with the collet loosening (even with loctite round the threads!) on the Japanese one. Easy enough to fix, but still a PITA. Once it even actually 'broke' free with a large cracking sound, falling completely away from the rest of the trem and leaving the bar flopping around, basically not attached to anything. All fixable, but not ideal...and yes, I'm somewhat 'heavy' when it comes to trem usage. I'm sure with lighter use it probably wouldn't have had so many problems. The 'petals' on the collet also don't grab the tremolo bar as securely as the AVRI one.

Having said that, my AVRI trem 'squeaks' a little bit, and the Japanese one didn't. I can't hear it with the guitar plugged in though, so I don't care.

The feel of the AVRI is slightly different - firmer - you need a bit more pressure on the bar to effect the pitch. I guess the spring has a bit more tension.

The only ones I'd actively recommend buying are the no-name versions. A few that I've seen have extremely poor quality looking plating, and don't seem to be noticeably cheaper than a Fender Japan unit.

I recommend the AVRI. The price difference ain't that much, but the difference in quality is worth it, IME.

[mtotallywired]

If I were to do (from best to worst) it would go AVRI-MIM-CIJ

The MIM's trems are actually made in Korea, and there's a difference that can be told on the actual "Fender" imprint on the Trem plate, and more noticeably where the "Pat#" is printed. They are definitely sturdier in construction than the CIJ/MIJ, and heavy just like the AVRI's but the MIM's have a finicky (i've had two) lock button that's covered in chrome, although it's a much higher quality of a button than those found on the CIJ's. The CIJ's are okay, but they definitely feel and look cheap. I like the smoothness and almost loose free feeling of the CIJ, but opted for CP/MIM as a more robust alternative. After having the MIM/CP trems on all my jazzmasters for a couple months, I eventually sold them for AVRI units, which are just all around the best of the pack and well worth the money. You get can an AVRI tremolo from ebay from arcadiayamaha or something for 58 bucks shipped. Then a trem arm for 15 shipped and another 2 for the aged white tip. So IMO do yourself a favor, and just go with the best so you won't ever wonder if there's better...

[AngryHatter]

I don't know how much I'd worry about it.
I have a MIM Jaguar that came with an MIA Jazzmaster trem plate.

The Fender factory thrives on mix and match, they use whatever they have on hand.
When they started making the Classic Players series they didn't have trem plates on hand so the early 2008s have the MIA trem plate.
Although mine came with a threaded arm it didn't fit the non threaded collet; a quick call to Fender straightened it out and a week later I had the snap in arm.

[autumnautist]

But is there a difference between Jaguar and Jazzmaster tremolo?

[chnlone]

But is there a difference between Jaguar and Jazzmaster tremolo?

No. There's no known or distinguishable difference between the Jag and JM tremolo or the Bass VI for that matter. As far as ordering goes, they are all the same part number.

[Jaguar018]

But is there a difference between Jaguar and Jazzmaster tremolo?

No. There's no known or distinguishable difference between the Jag and JM tremolo or the Bass VI for that matter. As far as ordering goes, they are all the same part number.

Yes. Without a doubt they are exactly the same.