JT-500 and JT-580 questions

[maxboost]

I got a JT-500 to replace a JT-580 single lock on my Charvel 275.Are the JT-500 made by Schaller?
Are there any parts I should use on the 500 from the 580? Sustain block, base plate etc.
I think i will put the collared arm on the JT-500
I used jackson1 sticky thread for IDing, thanks jackson1
and here is the pic of my new JT-500: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1

[rjohnstone]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

The JT-590 is the Schaller version, the JT-500 is a Schaller look-a-like.
About the only thing I would take off of a JT-580 and use would be the collared trem arm.

[maxboost]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

Thanks rjohnstone.

The single locking JT-580 says made by Schaller on it. Is the base plate and knife edges a better quality than the JT-500's?

[DumpyWumpy]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

I always kind of assumed the JT-580s were better trems because Jackson used them on the Japanese imports and the JT-500s on the Indian imports...

[rjohnstone]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

I know in the mid 90's, JT-500 trems were used on Japanese built Jackson's. My JDR-94 has a JT-500.
As for the JT-580, which model are you referring too?
The regular JT-580 or the JT-580LP?
And I don't recall the 580 ever being a single locking trem.
But it wouldn't suprise me if one was made.

[maxboost]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

Well, there is alot of different types of JT-580's. Its definately a" JT-580 '94 single locking" trem from a 275 that i am replacing. Says made in Germany by Schaller on base. The spring block is silver but may be brass thats plated.

But looking again the NEW trem i have looks like the JT-580 trem in the trans red guitar here http://www.jcfonline.com/ubbthreads/...&page=0#314293
It has a screw in trem(no collar) it say" Jackson" on it and thats all. The Spring block is a dull grey finished metal that appears silver when I filed a bit of the outer part. here is the pic of my new JT-500: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...MEWN%3AIT&rd=1
So, i'm a little confused. and of course i got both these trems used so previous owners could have mis matched parts too. but just wanted to use parts from these 2 trems to make 1 good one from the best parts. Any help is greatly appreciated, thanks

[rjohnstone]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

The only thing I would suggest is to see if one of the locking saddles will fit on the schaller base of your single locking unit. If it fits, great... if not, the JT-500 is a good trem.
I have no complaints with mine and 12 years later, the knife edges are still in great shape.

[zeegler]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

JT500s have crappy fine tuners. They usually don't turn very smoothly, or they are sloppy and seem to move around as if the threads are worn. Even new ones are like this.

Schaller built trems have brass fine tuner screws, and the black paint always wears off them, so that the brass shows through, especially on the E, A, & D. The brass fine tuner screws ALWAYS turn more smoothly, and are therefore more accurate. I would not use any piece of crap trem that doesn't have the brass fine tuners, period!!!

[rjohnstone]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

Yep.. I will agree with you on that. The fine tuners do suck, but are easily replaced.

[zeegler]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

I'll say this too, the Takeuchi trems are ugly, and look cheap, but I have one, and it has brass fine tuner screws. It is a way better trem than the no-name, or non-Schaller JT-500.

[maxboost]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

yeah i noticed the fine tuning screws don't turn smoothly on this newer trem. i think its one of the different 580's. It Doesn't have the long thinner string lock screws as in the JT-500 in jackson1's thread pic, but it is a non collared arm, and it only says Jackson on it.

[zeegler]

Re: JT-500 and JT-580 questions

The fine tuners are a big issue. What's the point of having fine tuners when they don't even work properly? There's really no excuse for it IMO. I have 3 Schallers. One has the Jackson logo (JT590 in my RR1), one is a Floyd Rose II (in my Lado), and the other is a Schaller logoed one that I have for a spare. They all have the typical worn off paint, and all work absolutely perfectly.