Author: derrylgabel
Subject: Re: JCustom XS Trem arm assembly problems
Posted: Tue Aug 23, 2016 4:33 pm (GMT -4)
Topic Replies: 4
johnnyninja wrote:
Hi Guys,
Has anyone replaced the arm assembly with one from a Floyd rose? The XS arm assembly has not been designed properly and really can't be fixed so that there isn't any play in the arm. There are two problems:
1) The arm collar is loose unless you tighten it all the way down so that it seats against the base. The problem is that you can't crank it down that far with the arm in it. Plumbers tape does not really solve the problem. I'm going to try using a washer to raise the point of contact and see if that helps.
2) The arm itself has play in it even when the collar is tightened as much as possible. I don't see any easy way to correct this. Generally, the whole assembly design is faulty.
I've been putting up with it but I'm getting frustrated and would like to come up with a solution. There should be zero play in the trem arm. I've had multiple guitars with Edge and Floyd trems, and they all had solid arm assemblies. There are other issues with this trem, but one thing at a time 
I have the latest version of the XS JCustom trem. I had my luthier install it on my Vader6. I put some Teflon tape / plumber's tape on the trem arm screw that attaches and tightens the arm. I didn't think that was going to work but it did for me. Now If I could just get the trem to return to zero. For now, I just keep it in the locked position because I'm tired of it going out of tune even when I don't use it. I also wish there was a way to adjust the tension so the spring doesn't feel so stiff. The best feeling trem I've ever used was a Ibanez Low Pro.