Jazzmaster tremolo screws

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Lithium
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Jazzmaster tremolo screws

Post by Lithium » Sat Sep 17, 2022 11:36 am

Hi guys,
After having broken 2 screws which I used to install the vibrato on my Jazzmaster project, I'm struggling to find the correct reference to replace them... On the photo below, the right one is part of a 6 screws kit I used (broke 2 of them so I'm gonna trash them). On the left seems to be one of the screws that were delivered with my US vibrato (I didn't notice them at first). But their heads are tinier than the right one and don't hold the vibrato as good... I'm kinda lost... 😢

Do you have any clue to help ? Thanks !
Notice that I live in France so US shops are out of question sadly.

Image

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timtam
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Re: Jazzmaster tremolo screws

Post by timtam » Sat Sep 17, 2022 10:23 pm

The AVRI trem uses six of the 0015610049 screws:
SCREW SMAB 5 X 1 OHP NI 0015610049
https://www.fmicassets.com/Damroot/Orig ... 6-2017.pdf

Riley confirms that they are #5 screws and 1-inch in length.
https://darrenriley.com/store/fender-br ... 015610049/

They should be available from Fender dealers that carry a full parts range:
https://www.fender.com/en-US/parts/elec ... 10049.html

But the screw size you have used (on the right in your pic) looks to have a larger diameter than the AVRI screw (assuming that is what the screw on the left in your pic really is) - a #5 screw has a nominal diameter of 0.125 inch/3.175mm. Which would explain why the new screws didn't work as well in the (now slightly bigger) holes in your guitar.

So the first option might be to find a stronger steel version of the screws you broke. Where did the '6 screws kit' come from ? Alternatively, a common fix for guitar holes that are too big is to glue a toothpick into the hole with wood glue (pressed hard against the hole wall), wait until the glue dries, and then use the correct screw. That's often used for strap and pickguard holes. But as long as the correct #5 screw ends up firmly held in the hole, it should work OK for trem screw holes too.
"I just knew I wanted to make a sound that was the complete opposite of a Les Paul, and that’s pretty much a Jaguar." Rowland S. Howard.

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Lithium
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Re: Jazzmaster tremolo screws

Post by Lithium » Sun Sep 18, 2022 12:35 am

Image

Thank you for all the help !
Finally I tried to screw the 6 of them and everything seems fine. It was just a confidance issue I guess, after my broken screws problem...

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