Setting up JP tremolo

[eliot323]

Hi there folks
Need a little help...I've searched the forum and the MM website and can't find a clear guide to setting up the floating trem for my new baby. Is it the same as the Luke? How many springs do you use; should the plate be parallel with the body? Any advice gratefully received.

eliot323

 

[jongitarz]

3 springs... Bridge plate should be level front to back, and side to side

 

[PeteDuBaldo]

Little setup tip I picked up somewhere....

• With a floating trem, first set the action in the ballpark (most likely not necessary on your JP model), then
• loosen the springs a bit, and tighten the strings some, enough to pull the tremolo a little bit above level.
• Using the tremolo bar, depress until the bridge is level. Look at the back of the guitar, in the routed out space opposite the springs.
• Take some pennies and stack them up to match the height of the gap, then wrap a little bit of tape around them, and stick them in that space, effectively "blocking" the trem. (the tape is important to hold the pennies in place, and avoid the copper scratching your guitar)
• Tighten the strings to pitch, keeping the pennies in place.
• Check & action & retune, if necessary, keeping the pennies in place
• Slowly & evenly tighten the springs until the pennies barely slip loose
  
• You now have a level tremolo, in tune.
  
  Hope that helps!

 

[eliot323]

Hi there
Thanks for the helpful tips. I've got to be a dab hand at adjusting Floyd Rose type trems, but this was a little different. The person I bought the Petrucci off had all five springs attached to the trem block; all I can say is they must have arms like gorillas!

eliot323