What is best to use to block a JP-6 trem?

[Iron Clad]

Hello all!

New guy here! Starting off with a totally stupid question!


I own a JP-6 and want to remove all strings so that I can polish the frets and clean the fingerboard. Normally, I just remove one string at a time when installing new strings. Can you give me some ideas on what would be best to use to keep the trem under control?

 

[Larry]

I remember someone saying they used a water bottle cap of a 20oz bottle filled the cap with pennies and lodged it in between the body and end of the trem. Not 100% on this but it sounds good in "theory."

 

[MusicManJP6]

Personally, I would never block the trem. MM worked too hard to make it the best trem you can ask for. But I imagine a bottle cap would do the trick.

 

[MikeVt]

Hmmm....I've never blocked my JP trem, but on my other guitars, I used a small stack of washers or a hunk of wood. I don't think it really matters if it's temporary. If it's not temporary (like if you were installing a D-Tuna in a floyd), you just don't want anything that will compress over time because it will mess up your tuning.

Mike

 

[Larry]

Personally, I would never block the trem. MM worked too hard to make it the best trem you can ask for. But I imagine a bottle cap would do the trick.

Hes using it so he can remove all the strings to clean the neck BTW the JP6 has a great trem system.

 

[jagged]

+1 on this thread.. I'd like to know too... if you didnt block it... what would you have to do when you're done cleaning it?

 

[MikeVt]

+1 on this thread.. I'd like to know too... if you didnt block it... what would you have to do when you're done cleaning it?

If you didn't block it, the springs would just pull it down against the cavity. Although I suppose there is a slight potential that this could damage the finish in the cavity (someone else can correct me if I'm wrong there), the biggest issue would be that it would make the iterative process of getting all the strings in tune that much more difficult (ie: tuning some strings pulls the trem up making other strings go out of tune....tune them, and the trem comes up more making others go out....and so on and so on until you oscillate back into tune).

Mike

 

[Jimothy JP7]

I used a lego wrapped in masking tape on my non-EB guitar with a non floyd trem, It worked so well I made it permanent.

 

[MusicManJP6]

If you didn't block it, the springs would just pull it down against the cavity. Although I suppose there is a slight potential that this could damage the finish in the cavity (someone else can correct me if I'm wrong there), the biggest issue would be that it would make the iterative process of getting all the strings in tune that much more difficult (ie: tuning some strings pulls the trem up making other strings go out of tune....tune them, and the trem comes up more making others go out....and so on and so on until you oscillate back into tune).

The cavity is not 'finished' so don't worry about messing anything up there. Besides, you can't see it anyway. I took all strings off to clean the fretboard about 2 weeks ago. No problems. The springs keep the bridge pinned against the cavity. Hardest part is getting the new strings back through the bottom of the bridge so go ahead and take the back plate off to make it easy on yourself...

 

[jeffrey]

I just stick a polish cloth under the back of the bridge before I cut all the strings off when I change strings.

Works like a charm.

 

[lumberjack]

The cavity is not 'finished' so don't worry about messing anything up there. Besides, you can't see it anyway. I took all strings off to clean the fretboard about 2 weeks ago. No problems. The springs keep the bridge pinned against the cavity. Hardest part is getting the new strings back through the bottom of the bridge so go ahead and take the back plate off to make it easy on yourself...

Couldn't you also potentially pop the trem off the posts.

 

[lumberjack]

The 2L bottle cap does work. A buddy of mine uses woodworking biscuits. Any hardware store will have them. You can glue a few together to get the desired thickness. You can sand them or cut them to get the desired shape as well.

Just try to find something that when placed underneath, the bridge stays as level as possible.

P.S. Welcome to the forums.

Scott

 

[MusicManJP6]

Popping the bridge off the posts is a possibility I guess, but I had no trouble with it. The groove on the posts where the blades of the trem sit hold it in pretty well...

 

[peedo_deedo]

i used one of those rubber door stop (wedge style) and stuck it in between the body and the trem. works fine with me.

here's one link of the door stop.

[ame=http://www.amazon.com/Master-Caster-Foot-Door-Stop/dp/B00006IATM]Door Stop Wedge Style[/ame]

 

[73h Nils]

I fold up my polish cloth and shove 'er in there. Works just like it should.

 

[Warg Master]

Tremol-No™

 

[Iron Clad]

Thanks for all the responses! I'm going to use a polish cloth as a few of you had mentioned to do.