Next use pliers to stretch the springs into position. If you are using 3 springs, leave one space in between
each one on the block. If you lose grip of a spring it can fly and cause damage to the paint on the body.
Tighten the screws on the spring claw so there is a little play in the block. The block still needs to be
able to move if you plan on using a whammy bar.
Check the alignment of the neck with the bridge installed. This is done by installing the high and low E
strings (or using a piece of string). After the strings are installed check that they run parallel down the
length of the neck. With the neck aligned properly the strings should be equal distance from the edge
of the neck. If the strings are not aligned with the edge if the neck, loosen the neck and change its angle
until the strings look correct.
After the tremolo is installed you can string the guitar and get it close to being in tune. As the strings
tighten, the rear of the bridge will lift off the guitar body. Allowing the bridge to float freely (no tension
on the tremolo arm) using the claw screws in the tremolo cavity, adjust the bridge to your desired
angle—about a 1/8" (3.2 mm) gap at rear of bridge. You'll need to retune periodically to get the right
balance between the strings and the springs. If you prefer a bridge flush to the body, adjust spring
tension to equal string tension, while the bridge rests on the body (you may want to put an extra 1/2
turn to each claw screw to ensure that the bridge remains flush to the body during string bends).
Caution: Do not over-tighten the springs, as this can put unnecessary tension on the arm during tremolo
use. Finally, you may wish to apply a small dab of Chapstick® or Vaseline® at the pivot contact points of
the bridge for very smooth operation.
Wiring the Jack
The pickguard will have two wires that need to be soldered to the jack. One will have a shielded
wire and a bare wire (wire A). The other will be a single shielded wire (wire B). The colors may
differ from the below pictures. The single wire (wire B) and the bare wire (from wire A) should be
soldered to the ground tab on the jack. The shielded wire from wire A should be soldered to the
other post.
Summary of Contents for JEM
Page 1: ...JEM Guitar Kit Assembly Instructions ...
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