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Post subject: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2015 12:21 pm
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I got a Fender Classic Player Jaguar (single-coil) in the mail two days ago. Overall, I love this guitar. It sounds great. It looks sharp. And for the most part I haven't had any of the string-jumping or buzzing issues related to the bridge that many people mention. What I am having an issue with is tuning stability, and I wanted to get some advice from you all.

Basically, the guitar seems to have a hard time returning back to perfect tune after using the whammy bar, whether pushing or pulling on the whammy bar (I don't usually pull, but did an experiment). I don't do any super hard dives, mainly light warps, but I noticed by using a tuner that the tuning isn't always returning back to normal. It's never really an extremely out of tune, but enough to notice if playing with an in-tune guitar. The strings all stay in tune relative to eachother, for the most part, so I don't think it's a tuner or string-stretch issue.

Having just spent $800+ on this guitar, I don't really have any spare funds at the moment to bring this thing to get set up professionally, and don't have much faith in my local shop anyhow after past bad experiences. So I was hoping that I could 1) get some thoughts on what the issue is and 2) figure out some DIY solutions to remedy the situation. I'd rather not have to buy new bridges and such, since (tuning aside) the stock TOM bridge seems to be working great. Also, I have never "set up" a guitar before, but have done some reading on the tremelo system which seems easy enough to dial in. I am comfortable turning some screws and things like that, but not sanding/filing/glueing my new baby.

TL;DR: So what say you, Fender Forum? What are some things I can do to get my jag to return back to perfect tune after using the whammy bar?


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:05 am
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Sorry for being blunt, but the guitar needs a setup done by someone who can do the job.
If you can't spend the extra cash, you just gotta learn yourself - and it's not unusual that the 1st setup includes some filing etc.

The detuned-after-whammy issue most likely relates to string/trem spring tension imbalance.

But (IMHO and for a new guitar) a total setup is way better that fixing one issue at a time.
Think about it this way: if you like the guitar now, you'll love it after it's properly set up.


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 11:12 am
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jmattis wrote:
Sorry for being blunt, but the guitar needs a setup done by someone who can do the job.
If you can't spend the extra cash, you just gotta learn yourself - and it's not unusual that the 1st setup includes some filing etc.

The detuned-after-whammy issue most likely relates to string/trem spring tension imbalance.

But (IMHO and for a new guitar) a total setup is way better that fixing one issue at a time.
Think about it this way: if you like the guitar now, you'll love it after it's properly set up.


I appreciate the response, and know that I will definitely need to get this set up at some point. I am going to try and get some money together to have it looked at by the local luthier...who charges $100+ for a setup :( It's either that or go to the local music shop which charges $50 but butchered my last electric I brought in.

I did find out about the trem-lock which actually seems to have helped a bit, by restricting the movement to just dives. Woulda been cool if Fender included an actual manual for the Jag highlighting all the unique aspects like the trem system and electronics, but I guess that's what the interwebs are for.

Thanks for responding, I really appreciate it!


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:04 pm
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Nope, I didn't mean the trem-lock button; I meant the tremolo springs adjusting screw, which should be adjusted to counterbalance the strings' tension.

If you DIY, start from these:
webrocker Jag Trem
webrocker Jag JM setup

And: if you didn't get the little "owner's manual" leaflet:
This page down right "support"
-> How-to-guides
-> "Fender® Guitar Setup Guide - Setup information for Fender guitars including Jazzmaster, Jaguar, Mustang and other models."

In my 'hood, the 1st setup for a new guitar is usually €60-80 ($70-$100).


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Fri Jan 09, 2015 1:17 pm
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I shoulda been more clear, I knew what you were talking about but was mentioning I just found out about the tremlock system, which seems to have had some positive effect.

But again, thanks for all your help. I am going to plan to bring it in to the shop in a few weeks to get it up to speed. Hopefully they are well versed in jags/JMs...


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Thu Jul 09, 2015 11:20 pm
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I have the Jazzmaster version......very little spring tension on the vibrato. The screw under the tremloc adjusts the tension, I would tighten it just a little bit.


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Fri Jul 15, 2016 12:30 am
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Mine stays in tune great. Had to adjust string height when getting it home. But otherwise no issues.


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Wed Jul 20, 2016 8:54 pm
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Follow the setup that jmattis suggested.
It's really easy to DIY and it works.
I followed those instructions on my Jazzmaster and it stays in tune.


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2016 10:16 am
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+1 for doing a proper setup and seeing how it goes.

Jags and Jazzmasters are very temperamental, especially the bridges and trems, you gotta learn how to deal with yours, but after you do, they're COOL guitars

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Sérgio

thefenderforum.com


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Post subject: Re: Classic Player Jaguar Tuning Stability
Posted: Thu Aug 25, 2016 1:47 pm
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Hi, I've owned a Classic Player Mexican Jazzmaster for a while and a tech myself so hopefully I can offer some advice.

Without doubt these guitars come alive after a pro setup, it needs to be done unfortunately, DIY using the booklet you should have got isn't rocket science BUT a proper setup will involve some filing and some things which aren't talked about in the book.

Make sure the nut slots, any string trees and saddles are lubricated (look up how to do this).

Use strings no lighter than 10's so the spring talked about earlier has something to pull against.

If the trem Spring is setup so that the lock works as intended no other adjustment should be required to the Spring, remember a change in string gauge will require readjustment of the Spring.

Even after the best setup your trem will probably never return to exactly where it began as the bridge itself actually moves back and forth a little so I wouldn't get too worried about it...it's not a floyd rose or a Strat trem!

Karl.


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