Question Schaller-Tremolo-spring-tensioner-Sure-Claw on a JP or other MM guitar?

[PaoloGilberto]

http://guitar-parts.biz/hp235396/Sure-Claw.htm

hey,

does anyone ever put one of this on a JP or other music man (and why not even other brand ) )? I am seriously thinking of adding that to my JP and I can't see any drawbacks at all , just positive things about it

seems the real deal honestly and I am surprised to see so many modern guitar companies relying on that "ancient" tremolo claw + screws.

no doubt adjusting to much (let's say using different string gauges for different tuning over the years) will affect in time the holes of that 2 screws.

even using the tremolo causes some small movements and friction on those 2 screws and wood accordingly

thanks
Paul

 

[DrKev]

no doubt adjusting to much (let's say using different string gauges for different tuning over the years) will affect in time the holes of that 2 screws.

even using the tremolo causes some small movements and friction on those 2 screws and wood accordingly

Actually, no. Holes are stripped through over-tightening when there is no more physical motion left (such as over-tightening neck bolts, pickguard, or strap button screws). But nobody ever screws the claw right to the wall and keeps turning the screws, so those holes will be good pretty much for ever. And movement of the trem will have no effect either.

Honestly, that biggest issue with the existing two screws and claw setup is that most people don't use the right size screwdriver and eventually damage the heads of those screws. THAT's the reason that screw drivers slip and damage the guitar finish. Sometimes the screw heads are so badly damaged that they can't adjust the trem any more. I see that more often than you might expect! So, this is good idea from that point of view. But people who let that happen should not be installing one of these themselves either.

Now an amateur has to drill two mounting holes in their guitar. For guitars with a middle pickup the drill and screws do frequently come through to the middle pickup cavity.

As it offers no actual advantage to tremolo function, very little (if any) increase in useable spring length. The additional expense with no functional benefit is probably the reason that manufacturers ignore it.

 

[PaoloGilberto]

Hey Kev,
thanks for the reply, interesting ....
I was not very specific maybe: let's say I have 6 string standard tunning 10-46 gauge and decide to go 9-42 and remove one spring to have the tremolo working smoother (it's personal a preference there depending from person to person ). I will have to tighten those 2 screws for that
(btw I removed one spring from my Sterling JP70 and went 9-56 from 10-56 and the claw went closer 1 cm to the body cavity after tightening the screws. there is now barely 4-5 mm left I think between claw and wood)
then I decide I want it in D tunning for a while, then C , Drop C . gauge can change to 10-52, 12-58 , for ex
new adjustments every time for those screws.
My point was aren't they loosen up !? it's wood after all...

for the schaller claw:I did not know you have to drill new holes anyway I was assuming you just screw those screw in the body cavity and that is it

 

[DrKev]

My point was aren't they loosen up !? it's wood after all...

for the schaller claw:I did not know you have to drill new holes anyway I was assuming you just screw those screw in the body cavity and that is it

They don't really. Ask any vintage-style strat or tele owner if the neck screws loosen after all the times they take the neck off just to do a truss rod adjustment. They can strip the holes by over tightening the neck screws but otherwise there is not problem.

Drilling holes would be the best way to do it. The bigger/wider the screw the more it is required. It would be very difficult to screw them right in without a pilot hole. The amount of torque required to turn that screw while t tries to compress it's own volume of wood could break the head of the screw clean off and/or damage the screw head and screw driver (which could cause an unwanted slip of the screw driver and deep scratch across the finish). You could try, and you may well succeed but I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[PaoloGilberto]

thank you very much for the inputs, I guess I'll chill and leave it like it came from the factory =))

They don't really. Ask any vintage-style strat or tele owner if the neck screws loosen after all the times they take the neck off just to do a truss rod adjustment. They can strip the holes by over tightening the neck screws but otherwise there is not problem.

Drilling holes would be the best way to do it. The bigger/wider the screw the more it is required. It would be very difficult to screw them right in without a pilot hole. The amount of torque required to turn that screw while t tries to compress it's own volume of wood could break the head of the screw clean off and/or damage the screw head and screw driver (which could cause an unwanted slip of the screw driver and deep scratch across the finish). You could try, and you may well succeed but I wouldn't recommend it.