Help identifying a Made In USA Rhoads

[Number Of The Priest]

Just looking at photos of the Washburn DD60, it has very similar-looking trem as the JT590 trem on the Rhoads Student you just bought. Both are Schaller designs with the closest OEM product being Schaller's own "Schaller Tremolo" that ed linked above. The OEM page is here: https://schaller.info/en/tremolos/359/schaller-tremolo

I don't know your current comfort level with trems and disassembling parts, but if I were in your shoes, I would diassemble the JT590, inspect the various components for wear (especially looking at the screw holes on the baseplate and seeing if they are reinforced with steel inserts, or if they're bare zinc and stripped), clean everything with WD-40 or 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil and a toothbrush, and reassemble it. It's just part of the normal servicing and setup that I perform on all used/dirty guitars that come into my possession. Actually, if you're "afraid" of a trem, doing this might ironically have the positive effect of familiarizing yourself with the trem and you'll gain a healthy respect and understanding of how it works. Everything is adjustable and reversible, so don't be afraid to "mess up the existing configuration". Just disassemble carefully and sequentially to keep the parts arranged accordingly and neatly on your workstation. An example of the neat arrangement is pictured below, one of my Ibanez Edge trems disassembled across a towel. The saddle blocks are still inside the saddles, and the intonation screws are together with their washers, so the bridge is not technically 100% disassembled... but everything else is in individual pieces and arranged in such a way that I could probably reassemble everything in the dark, like a soldier reassembling a rifle without the aid of sight.

[toejam]

On the JT590, did the screw threads have a tendency to strip, or did the screwholes on the zinc baseplate? Because Henrik's website (http://audiozone.dk/index-filer/Trem...ject.htm#jt590) indicates the latter, until the introduction of reinforcing steel inserts on the baseplate screwholes.

Yeah, I meant the baseplate is usually what stripped on those.

[Chrismb99]

Just looking at photos of the Washburn DD60, it has very similar-looking trem as the JT590 trem on the Rhoads Student you just bought. Both are Schaller designs with the closest OEM product being Schaller's own "Schaller Tremolo" that ed linked above. The OEM page is here: https://schaller.info/en/tremolos/359/schaller-tremolo

I don't know your current comfort level with trems and disassembling parts, but if I were in your shoes, I would diassemble the JT590, inspect the various components for wear (especially looking at the screw holes on the baseplate and seeing if they are reinforced with steel inserts, or if they're bare zinc and stripped), clean everything with WD-40 or 3-IN-ONE Multi-Purpose Oil and a toothbrush, and reassemble it. It's just part of the normal servicing and setup that I perform on all used/dirty guitars that come into my possession. Actually, if you're "afraid" of a trem, doing this might ironically have the positive effect of familiarizing yourself with the trem and you'll gain a healthy respect and understanding of how it works. Everything is adjustable and reversible, so don't be afraid to "mess up the existing configuration". Just disassemble carefully and sequentially to keep the parts arranged accordingly and neatly on your workstation. An example of the neat arrangement is pictured below, one of my Ibanez Edge trems disassembled across a towel. The saddle blocks are still inside the saddles, and the intonation screws are together with their washers, so the bridge is not technically 100% disassembled... but everything else is in individual pieces and arranged in such a way that I could probably reassemble everything in the dark, like a soldier reassembling a rifle without the aid of sight.

You guys are super awesome, thanks for all the tips! Also, after looking through lots of sold listings of USA Rhoads "student" and "custom" spec guitars on reverb, it seems like I got a great deal. I always feel like a kid on Christmas again when I get something like this!

[MountainDog]

When it arrives it will need to be intonated as the E thru B saddles should not all be slammed up against the saddle hold down screws. I sure hope that this isn’t an indication that the base plate screws are stripped.

[Zedder]

I have repaired at least 3 JT-590 baseplates with these:

https://www.ezlok.com/e-z-lok-solid-wall-threaded-inserts-standard-wall

[Number Of The Priest]

Just looking at the pics of the gold hardware on the guitar, it looks mostly untarnished from what I can see, which suggests the owner(s) took care of the guitar and the gold hardware. In turn, that suggests to me the trem is in good shape, and that HOPEFULLY the intonation screwholes in the baseplate are not stripped. I have a Les Paul with gold hardware that is younger than that Rhoads Student and I have pitting and wear on my gold hardware, and I am someone who takes great care of my guitars.

[Chrismb99]

Well, all I can do is hope the seller was honest. If something turns out bad, I'll probably discuss a partial refund of some sort so I can use that to get the thing repaired, because I sure would hate to give something like this back. It's a beautiful piece. It's seems like it's been in the case most of it's life and the case looks surprisingly good, too. I sure hope there aren't problems. Thanks for all your inputs!!! This information is greatly appreciated!!