Jackson licenced Floyd help

GuyAlexander · #1 03-01-2007, 11:26 AM

Okay, so I've been a lurker for a few years but finally I've reached a problem where I actually needed to post.

I've been obsessed with the Jackson Randy Rhoads guitars ever since I can remember, So I decided to add a Jackson RR3 to my otherwise Ibanez oriented collection.

But the RR3 came with a "Floyd Rose® Licensed Jackson® Low Profile JT580 LP Double Locking 2-Point Tremolo". When you use the bar for more than a few dives the arm becomes loose and a audible rattling sound can be heard. Not to mention flutters are out of the question. To me, why bother having a Floyd trem if you can't flutter..

Now a little bit of research has led me to.. The JT580 LP being the same as a Ibanez Lo-TRS II. Can somebody please verify this for me? Also, I'd like to know if I can replace it with a Gotoh trem (without any work done on the body preferably). I hear that they use a allen key to tighten the arm, and I do like a semi tight arm.

Ps. Thank you in advanced for helping me, you guys have already been very helpful to me in the past

GuyAlexander · #2 03-01-2007, 12:04 PM

Here are a few cell phone snaps of the unit at hand. Sorry I don't have a real camera at my disposal but I think you can get the idea from looking at it. And don't worry. The pickups are next in line to be changed out

guitarsnroses · #3 03-01-2007, 12:09 PM

I own a few guitars with that model trem and the best thing that works for me is to use 9-42 guage strings and leave the ball ends at the top and cut the other ends on the wraped part for the string so it had some meat to hold on to with the knife edges and make sure the string goes in there deep .. make sure your locks at the nut are nice and tight and face the right way.. I use ghs strings and mine stay in tune very well... well enuff for lots of vai stuff as far as the trem arm just tighen it down really tight

Eggy · #4 03-01-2007, 12:58 PM

I've got that same trem on my Dinky. The reason the arm keeps coming loose is down to a design fault in the thumb screw that locks it down imho. Even when you twist it tight the vibrations from playing loosen soon after. As for the lack of flutter then that's just down to set up (mine flutters fine).
I think the best design is the one where the arm screws into the unit ( a la Fender et al) because even the Edge on my Jem (push fit) gives me periodic proBlems as the bushes wear out and it becomes less useable than the Jackson thumb type.

Ben

GuyAlexander · #5 03-01-2007, 03:19 PM

Well to be honest I just want to get rid of this trem I guess it was my mistake implying I needed help with my existing trem.

My real hot burning question for you gents is.. Will a Gotoh trem fit in my RR3 Jackson where the existing 580 LP is without any real work done on the guitar?

Cause I heard from somewhere that the trem I have in my guitar is similar in specs/measurements to the Lo-TRS II. And owners of the JEM 555 who have the Lo-TRS II have replaced them with Gotoh trems, can I do the same with my Jackson?

I'm sorry for the confusion

I'm just excited at the idea of getting a quality trem and hopefully when all is done a great guitar

sick-boy · #6 03-01-2007, 03:32 PM

I thought I saw a diagram somewhere of the various trems, but now I can't seem to find it. I'll keep looking.
Then you can just compare the mearsurements.

sick-boy · #7 03-01-2007, 03:35 PM

http://www.hosco.co.jp/HOSCO_ENGLISH...td_series.html
I hope you can read those specs, cause I sure as hell can't.

LonePhantom · #8 03-01-2007, 05:51 PM

Go for the Gotoh, it is vastly superior and the trem arm holder is the best design out there.

fyrie · #9 03-01-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonePhantom

Go for the Gotoh, it is vastly superior and the trem arm holder is the best design out there.

Can you elaborate on how the arm holder is different than the OFR? I have never used a Gotoh

LonePhantom · #10 03-01-2007, 10:15 PM

Gotoh has a pop in bar holder with a grub screw to adjust how freely the bar swings. Such a simple design but so much better than the rest. Just have to tighten occassionally.

GuyAlexander · #11 03-02-2007, 12:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sick-boy

http://www.hosco.co.jp/HOSCO_ENGLISH...td_series.html
I hope you can read those specs, cause I sure as hell can't.

Thank you, but I think I need to find a program to see this more clearly. Shouldn't be a problem just might be a few days

Quote:

Originally Posted by LonePhantom

Go for the Gotoh, it is vastly superior and the trem arm holder is the best design out there.

I really want to get the Gotoh but I don't know if it will fit

sick-boy · #12 03-02-2007, 01:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuyAlexander

Thank you, but I think I need to find a program to see this more clearly. Shouldn't be a problem just might be a few days

Ok, I didn't know if I just couldn't read it because my monitor is old and has poor resolution. I could barely make out the numbers on the diagram.

GuyAlexander · #13 03-02-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eggy

I've got that same trem on my Dinky. The reason the arm keeps coming loose is down to a design fault in the thumb screw that locks it down imho. Even when you twist it tight the vibrations from playing loosen soon after. As for the lack of flutter then that's just down to set up (mine flutters fine).
I think the best design is the one where the arm screws into the unit ( a la Fender et al) because even the Edge on my Jem (push fit) gives me periodic proBlems as the bushes wear out and it becomes less useable than the Jackson thumb type.

Ben

I forgot to add, that the reason why my trem can't flutter is because of how the arm is loose. Even if I tighten the thumb screw all the way their is still some leeway for the arm to rattle around.

GuyAlexander · #14 03-02-2007, 10:29 AM

Well poking around through this site tells me that the 580lp and the TRS II are essentially the same model, so I guess I'll take a chance and order the trem in a few weeks after I pay my bloody car insurance

But I have one more question. Though this one is not all that urgent. I have an RG with a EDGE III trem unit in it. Though it does what I need for now, what are your guys' opinion in this specific model trem?

Wyvern · #15 03-02-2007, 11:32 AM

Hello there.
Yes, that jackson tremolo is the same thing as the trs 2, it suck, sorry to say that but i have proved a lot of trems an they are the worst.
the arm getting loose its not the big problem, it is that they wear where the studs sustain the tremolo, making it to not return to pitch.
Yes, the gotoh tremolo will fit without any modification to the cavity, it will be a big improvement.
I have an Esp Ltd V350, a flying V with a tremolo, it has a trem like that jt580, trs2, etc, and i changed it with a OFR, the best thing i ever did!
anyway, gotoh is great too!.
if you decide to change the tremolo, please change the studs and inserts, if you keep those cheap bolts, your new tremolo wont be stable as it cant get! perfect return to pitch!
i think gotoh inserts are more thick than those that you have (i think they are 7/16, and those trs2 are 3/8 (i had a rg 320 with that trs2.)) , so maybe you will have to make those holes more wide, but believe me, its a piece of cake, i did it myself!, you just need the right tool, that 90° drill with a metal-wood bit. I used that tool in my college.
here are the tutorial on how to remove those inserts.
http://www.projectguitar.com/tut/trmanchor.htm
here you will get those hard to find gotoh tremolos.
http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/guitar_index.htm
i hope it helps!