JEM 555 poor tremolo

carlos seo · #1 02-03-2001, 10:55 PM

I always hear complaints about the Lo-TRS II tremolo that comes with JEM 555 models. As I'm always experimenting and modifying guitars, I thought it was a good challange to make this poor tremolo sounds better.

I went to my guitar dealer and grabbed the last JEM 555 axe shipped to Brazil. It's a WH model. First thing I always do is to check the finish and factory setup. I think I've been lucky and grabbed an excellent-finished instrument, no flaws at all. Factory setup was bad and I spend a couple hours to tweak it to its best.

When I tested the tremolo, I had that bad feeling... "What the f*ck??" I almost had thrown the tremolo arm away (I wish I had...). Anyway, I went to a guitar parts shop and started looking at some Floyd Rose tremolos. I bought some arms from different bridges and tried them on my JEM. The results were surprising! A Floyd Rose Original tremolo arm just fitted it perfectly! Now it plays worderfully (but I can't compare it to a JEM 7VWH, of course) and I didn't spend a fortune to have a good guitar (the only strange thing is that half vine inlay...)

Anyone here has already done this?? If so, what's your opinion??

**jemsite** · #2 02-03-2001, 10:58 PM

Congrats on the mod.

In the USA there is no reason to buy a new or used 555 though. Don't mean to rub that in

...glen

Rich · #3 02-03-2001, 11:03 PM

The best mod for the TRS would be to use the Socket and Bar from a Lo Pro/Edge, direct swap and gives you a push in bar 'feel'.

carlos seo · #4 02-04-2001, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Quote: from jemsite on 11:58 pm on Feb. 3, 2001
Congrats on the mod.

In the USA there is no reason to buy a new or used 555 though. Don't mean to rub that in

...glen

Yeah, I know... prices in the US are much better (when I lived in Orlando and NYC I noticed that!

). But here, as well as in the UK, prices are really a problem. So, the best thing we can do is to buy a less expansive guitar and modify it.

BTW, the single-coil on my JEM (and all others w/ Evolutions I've played) has a really, really low output compared to the Evos. I haven't noticed this in the 7DBK or 77FP JEMs. Do you have a suggestion for higher output single-coil? (Because I want all tonal options available, otherwise, I'd just sink this thing into the body!

)

warmregards · #5 02-04-2001, 09:17 PM

I don't get. *How does changing the arm of a tremolo make it any different.

carlos seo · #6 02-04-2001, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Quote: from warmregards on 10:17 pm on Feb. 4, 2001
I don't get. *How does changing the arm of a tremolo make it any different.

Well... have you ever played a Lo-TRS II equipped guitar? If so, you propably remember that the arm is always too tight, no matter what you do. When I replaced it, the whole thing felt different. It wasn't tight anymore, I could do some crazy things that I couldn't before (like that crazy, but cool, "Answers" ending in the G3 video), plus I got more precisely tremolo response.

It's my opinion, anyway! If you have another thoughts or suggestions, please tell us, so we can share ideas and maybe, solve this crappy tremolo problem!

silverarj · #7 01-11-2006, 12:45 AM

try replacing the whole TRS trem with an OFR, you'll be much happier.

lyconxero · #8 01-11-2006, 01:28 AM

As far as higher output single coil pickups, maybe check out a blue velvet, a fast track, or a chopper from Dimarzio.

red5 · #9 01-11-2006, 04:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lyconxero

As far as higher output single coil pickups, maybe check out a blue velvet, a fast track, or a chopper from Dimarzio.

Jeez a red velvet wouldnt even hold its own against Evos... if you want something that will almost hold its own, go with the red velvet though!

Jem7RB MK · #10 01-11-2006, 05:08 AM

2001 Thread

but i'd reckon on there being about 30 similar threads if you search for all the differant Mods on 555's

Rob

amanvai · #11 01-11-2006, 12:15 PM

That was when the Jem 555 came with it. It now comes with Edge Pro 2 which works and plays amazingly.

arrowman1969 · #12 08-13-2007, 07:13 AM

hey i wouldnt worry too much ive had a jem555 since 1996 its a decent guitar but always had tuning problems now ive got a jem777vbk this is a totaly different guitar 555 are ok but not in same leauge as 777 series

djohns74 · #13 08-13-2007, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by arrowman1969

hey i wouldnt worry too much ive had a jem555 since 1996 its a decent guitar but always had tuning problems now ive got a jem777vbk this is a totaly different guitar 555 are ok but not in same leauge as 777 series

You realize, of course, that you just bumped a year-and-a-half old thread, that was, itself, a previous victim of a near 5-year bump.