Hey all, I'm a newbie here. I've been playing guitar for about 4 years, three of which is with a classical guitar and now I play an electric Squier strat. However, many of the songs I want to play needs at least 22 frets and a Floyd rose tremolo bridge. So, I have found a guitar which suits my needs an that is Jackson Js32 Dinky. However, I am very worried about its tuning stability. When I was at a lesson, I saw an ibanez Gio series guitar lying around and asked why it wasn't used, and apparently the reason was because it is very cheap and has low quality floyd rose system on it and goes out of tune very fast. Since the Js 32 is also a cheap guitar I wonder if anyone has ever had any experience with it and if you know it has good tuning stability or not. Thank you!
Jackson Js32 tuning stability
- Thread starter ShredLord
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Silence Kid
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Liscenced Floyds can have issues - the worst being excessive wear on the plate over time due to inferior metallurgy. I have a Jackson SLX which uses a Floyd Special (I think a different bridge than the liscenced JS32 Floyd but probably similar in composition; zinc saddles/block etc.) It's annoying, because about once a year I need to file/smooth the knife edge pivots; they wear down to the point where it will go about 10 cents out when you bend the trem either way. That's not enough to really notice in a band context, but definitely 'out.'
I'd research & budget for a good replacement original Floyd or similar quality vibrato if I got that guitar, or else be prepared for a lot of maintenance.
Liscenced Floyds can have issues - the worst being excessive wear on the plate over time due to inferior metallurgy. I have a Jackson SLX which uses a Floyd Special (I think a different bridge than the liscenced JS32 Floyd but probably similar in composition; zinc saddles/block etc.) It's annoying, because about once a year I need to file/smooth the knife edge pivots; they wear down to the point where it will go about 10 cents out when you bend the trem either way. That's not enough to really notice in a band context, but definitely 'out.'
I'd research & budget for a good replacement original Floyd or similar quality vibrato if I got that guitar, or else be prepared for a lot of maintenance.
vel0c1ty
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Even though I personally have no experience with it, I'd recommend a Gotoh Floyd Rose. It's about $80 cheaper than an Original Floyd Rose. Gotoh also makes the Edge tremolos for Ibanez, which are regarded as the best tremolos you can find on a guitar, so you know they're experienced in manufacturing these types of trem systems. Naturally, many people here and on the Ultimate Guitar forums praise the Gotoh trem. Again, I have no anecdotal experience with these units but I'm saying what I've read from other guitarists.
A Floyd I've had experience with is the Special Floyd Rose. It's $55 on Ebay, and it's been kind of a pain in the ass. Some saddle screws have stripped, the fine tuners are stiff, the arm collar has cracked, the string blocks are having trouble holding the e and B string, and the hex on the nut is starting to strip. For its price, it's great. It functions just as intended. But I have this gut feeling that I'm going to have to replace it sooner or later.
Of course, you'll want to check dimensions for compatibility before buying.
My final words of advice is that Floyd Rose trems are very finicky, especially for a beginner to guitar setup. So do your research, and be careful. Don't wanna be breaking your replacement! One tip I can give is that if the strings go out of tune even when it's setup perfectly, try putting Vaseline on the knife edges. It helped me.
Sorry for the wall of text.
Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk
First off, I'll say that it probably won't have good running stability, but you should at least try to use the trem. But don't be surprised when after fixing it countless times that it'll need to be replaced. Here are a few recommendations for some replacements.
Even though I personally have no experience with it, I'd recommend a Gotoh Floyd Rose. It's about $80 cheaper than an Original Floyd Rose. Gotoh also makes the Edge tremolos for Ibanez, which are regarded as the best tremolos you can find on a guitar, so you know they're experienced in manufacturing these types of trem systems. Naturally, many people here and on the Ultimate Guitar forums praise the Gotoh trem. Again, I have no anecdotal experience with these units but I'm saying what I've read from other guitarists.
A Floyd I've had experience with is the Special Floyd Rose. It's $55 on Ebay, and it's been kind of a pain in the ass. Some saddle screws have stripped, the fine tuners are stiff, the arm collar has cracked, the string blocks are having trouble holding the e and B string, and the hex on the nut is starting to strip. For its price, it's great. It functions just as intended. But I have this gut feeling that I'm going to have to replace it sooner or later.
Of course, you'll want to check dimensions for compatibility before buying.
My final words of advice is that Floyd Rose trems are very finicky, especially for a beginner to guitar setup. So do your research, and be careful. Don't wanna be breaking your replacement! One tip I can give is that if the strings go out of tune even when it's setup perfectly, try putting Vaseline on the knife edges. It helped me.
Sorry for the wall of text.
Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Which part of the world are you in?
Some places have pretty wild prices and international sellers unwilling to ship there (or prohibitively expensive), but if you're in USA, Europe, or Japan, you can get some pretty solid used stuff for $150 - 250, certainly far far better than a JS32... +50-100 if you're in an area they'll ship to, but with no local market
The licensed trems on Japanese Jacksons and Japanese Ibanez are fairly solid. Anything less can be a crapshoot.
PS the JS32 licensed trem is lower-tier than a Floyd Special or a JT580/JT580LP
Which part of the world are you in?
Some places have pretty wild prices and international sellers unwilling to ship there (or prohibitively expensive), but if you're in USA, Europe, or Japan, you can get some pretty solid used stuff for $150 - 250, certainly far far better than a JS32... +50-100 if you're in an area they'll ship to, but with no local market
The licensed trems on Japanese Jacksons and Japanese Ibanez are fairly solid. Anything less can be a crapshoot.
PS the JS32 licensed trem is lower-tier than a Floyd Special or a JT580/JT580LP
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Silence Kid
New member
Boogie Bill
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Big Bend's Nut Sauce.
Bill
Big Bend's Nut Sauce.
Bill
Gtrjunior
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
I’ve heard of adding lube to a nut for tuning stability but how does adding it to the knife edges help?
serious question...I’m genuinely curious. I have never heard of this before.
I’ve heard of adding lube to a nut for tuning stability but how does adding it to the knife edges help?
serious question...I’m genuinely curious. I have never heard of this before.
vel0c1ty
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk
How? I have no idea. But it works for my Floyd Rose Special. I might take off the lube and see how well it performs to test it.
Sent from my LG-TP260 using Tapatalk
Silence Kid
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
I never would have tried it except the damn Floyd Special was frustrating the hell out of me, and it does improve the stability and seems to reduce the wear that accrues over time in the soft metal baseplate. I used lithium grease because I know it adheres well to metal, used it in car distributors with sticking vacuum advance where other lubricants melt off. I might have used Vaseline but I don't own Vaseline; I think because I am male.
I never would have tried it except the damn Floyd Special was frustrating the hell out of me, and it does improve the stability and seems to reduce the wear that accrues over time in the soft metal baseplate. I used lithium grease because I know it adheres well to metal, used it in car distributors with sticking vacuum advance where other lubricants melt off. I might have used Vaseline but I don't own Vaseline; I think because I am male.
dpaterson
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Hmmmnnn...
I'm almost sorry that I found this thread!!!
Just yesterday I put BACK the Jackson licensed FR into one of my guitars (also a JS32). About a month ago I replaced it with a FR Special and it's been terrible. Very "rough around the edges" everywhere. Flipping fine tuners don't even turn smooth like those in the Jackson licensed FR. And I dunno: maybe it's because the FR Special is "harder" but it appeared to introduce all manner of overtones in this particular guitar (which at first I thought was the pickups but after replacing the bridge with a DM SD things got proportionately worse and this just in the last week or so i.e. put the Jackson licensed FR back yesterday and all good even with the DM SD pickup).
Worst part: I have TWO of these darn FR Specials now just lying around (bought them JUST IN CASE something went wrong with the Jackson hardware).
Cannot say I've ever had tuning problems with either though.
But I will caution this: think real careful before mucking with a Jackson!!! I thought I'd replace a lot of the stock Jackson stuff with more expensive and "original" like or "brand name" stuff. NONE if it has been an improvement AT ALL. Rather try source Jackson hardware or whatever if you run into problems.
Anyway. Rant over. For the OP: I have two Jackson JS32s and I love them. Never had an issue with either in any way shape or form (other than the issues which I myself have introduced as detailed above). True: when one of them arrived it needed a bit of fretwork done by a luthier. And I had the necks done with satin and whatever else. But they're really really nice guitars. I love 'em. They both do "the Jackson jangle" (typical Jackson tone).
Oh. Sorry. At some point you MAY end up having to replace just the Jackson nut. I managed to strip one (the Jackson nuts are definitely not as hard as the FR nuts) (that's my excuse for having done it anyway).
Regards,
Dale.
P.S.
I would say though that if you're going to replace stuff then go for the FR ORIGINAL stuff (which comes at a huge premium unfortunately) but this flipping FR Special stuff??? Nah.
Hmmmnnn...
I'm almost sorry that I found this thread!!!
Just yesterday I put BACK the Jackson licensed FR into one of my guitars (also a JS32). About a month ago I replaced it with a FR Special and it's been terrible. Very "rough around the edges" everywhere. Flipping fine tuners don't even turn smooth like those in the Jackson licensed FR. And I dunno: maybe it's because the FR Special is "harder" but it appeared to introduce all manner of overtones in this particular guitar (which at first I thought was the pickups but after replacing the bridge with a DM SD things got proportionately worse and this just in the last week or so i.e. put the Jackson licensed FR back yesterday and all good even with the DM SD pickup).
Worst part: I have TWO of these darn FR Specials now just lying around (bought them JUST IN CASE something went wrong with the Jackson hardware).
Cannot say I've ever had tuning problems with either though.
But I will caution this: think real careful before mucking with a Jackson!!! I thought I'd replace a lot of the stock Jackson stuff with more expensive and "original" like or "brand name" stuff. NONE if it has been an improvement AT ALL. Rather try source Jackson hardware or whatever if you run into problems.
Anyway. Rant over. For the OP: I have two Jackson JS32s and I love them. Never had an issue with either in any way shape or form (other than the issues which I myself have introduced as detailed above). True: when one of them arrived it needed a bit of fretwork done by a luthier. And I had the necks done with satin and whatever else. But they're really really nice guitars. I love 'em. They both do "the Jackson jangle" (typical Jackson tone).
Oh. Sorry. At some point you MAY end up having to replace just the Jackson nut. I managed to strip one (the Jackson nuts are definitely not as hard as the FR nuts) (that's my excuse for having done it anyway).
Regards,
Dale.
P.S.
I would say though that if you're going to replace stuff then go for the FR ORIGINAL stuff (which comes at a huge premium unfortunately) but this flipping FR Special stuff??? Nah.
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dpaterson
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Hello.
You can actually see where, on some of the fine tuners, and on one or two of the string lock screws, the threads have like "flat spots". Even one of the string lock screws is sort of slightly bent. I thought by putting "Dubbleyou Dee Forty" (LOL!!!) on: they'd sort of "work themselves in" given a little time but nope. Didn't happen. And when fine tuning: you get to a point with some of the fine tuners where they will stick and then you turn just a bit more and you end up going too far and have to back off. And they feel kinda loose too. I'm just really really surprised that Floyd Rose would put their name to this. These were sealed units in FR boxes. Nah. Never again. The stock Jackson hardware on both my Jacksons is WAY better. But for the fact that, due to their weight and because of where I live, the cost of shipping back to the USA is about 1.5 times the cost (at least) of the units themselves: they'd have been gone by now (back to StewMac). This is a classic case of "you get what you pay for" unfortunately. Must be a reason why a genuine FR Original costs around 2.5 times more and that without the sustain block (and nut if I remember correctly). I guess, as per usual, you live and learn (and pay). Then again: this is in direct contradiction to my comment below re: the price of these guitars!!! Who the hell knows anymore "what's what".
But the OP was more concerned as to whether or not a Jackson will stay in tune with its original hardware (so far as I can tell). Definitely no problem (at least not with my two current Jacksons nor with my Jackson of around 15 years ago or so and all with stock Jackson hardware). I can "dive bomb" to the extent where the strings are hanging loose (and hold it there) (a "requirement" for a particular Dio song) and these guitars come right back in tune every single time. Same as with my $5K hand made guitar with a genuine FR Original!!! (There's a lesson in there OP i.e. don't short change these Jacksons because of price!!!). And in nearing two years now with these Jacksons: never even had a string break on me either. Only one time have I had to replace strings for a reason other than the norm: the low E seemed to be coming apart or stretching or unwinding right at the sort of "pinnacle point" of the saddle but given that this has only happened once it could very well just have been a bad string.
"Got for it" would be my advice. Just be gentle when tightening things is all!!! LOL!!!
Regards,
Dale.
Hello.
Nope. Did that before I even put the cr*p on (if your reply was in answer to my rant above). Didn't make any difference.
You can actually see where, on some of the fine tuners, and on one or two of the string lock screws, the threads have like "flat spots". Even one of the string lock screws is sort of slightly bent. I thought by putting "Dubbleyou Dee Forty" (LOL!!!) on: they'd sort of "work themselves in" given a little time but nope. Didn't happen. And when fine tuning: you get to a point with some of the fine tuners where they will stick and then you turn just a bit more and you end up going too far and have to back off. And they feel kinda loose too. I'm just really really surprised that Floyd Rose would put their name to this. These were sealed units in FR boxes. Nah. Never again. The stock Jackson hardware on both my Jacksons is WAY better. But for the fact that, due to their weight and because of where I live, the cost of shipping back to the USA is about 1.5 times the cost (at least) of the units themselves: they'd have been gone by now (back to StewMac). This is a classic case of "you get what you pay for" unfortunately. Must be a reason why a genuine FR Original costs around 2.5 times more and that without the sustain block (and nut if I remember correctly). I guess, as per usual, you live and learn (and pay). Then again: this is in direct contradiction to my comment below re: the price of these guitars!!! Who the hell knows anymore "what's what".
But the OP was more concerned as to whether or not a Jackson will stay in tune with its original hardware (so far as I can tell). Definitely no problem (at least not with my two current Jacksons nor with my Jackson of around 15 years ago or so and all with stock Jackson hardware). I can "dive bomb" to the extent where the strings are hanging loose (and hold it there) (a "requirement" for a particular Dio song) and these guitars come right back in tune every single time. Same as with my $5K hand made guitar with a genuine FR Original!!! (There's a lesson in there OP i.e. don't short change these Jacksons because of price!!!). And in nearing two years now with these Jacksons: never even had a string break on me either. Only one time have I had to replace strings for a reason other than the norm: the low E seemed to be coming apart or stretching or unwinding right at the sort of "pinnacle point" of the saddle but given that this has only happened once it could very well just have been a bad string.
"Got for it" would be my advice. Just be gentle when tightening things is all!!! LOL!!!
Regards,
Dale.
Lovegun
Active member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Like dpaterson I never had any issues with my Jackson with its original gear. I just had to tweak the setting to my playing style and it stays in tune just fine.
I would suggest to the op that he learns how Floyd Rose system works before spending money for a genuine Floyd Rose. Of course learn how to strech the strings and other tuning things. Floyds are expensive and finicky so I would not go for the real thing before I would know how it works. That way you won't be dissappointed and spend a lot of money if you go for the real thing now and still can't keep it in tune.
Like dpaterson I never had any issues with my Jackson with its original gear. I just had to tweak the setting to my playing style and it stays in tune just fine.
I would suggest to the op that he learns how Floyd Rose system works before spending money for a genuine Floyd Rose. Of course learn how to strech the strings and other tuning things. Floyds are expensive and finicky so I would not go for the real thing before I would know how it works. That way you won't be dissappointed and spend a lot of money if you go for the real thing now and still can't keep it in tune.
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Hey just curious: those wouldn't be the oddball color Floyd Specials that popped up on ebay and amazon third party sellers for $40-55 / unit a few months back, would they?
On closer inspection, those ads were a bit suspect. Might have been fakes or factory rejects?
Ones I saw were gold and black I think, but that might've been leftovers. I only saw the tail end of that unusual sale.
Hey just curious: those wouldn't be the oddball color Floyd Specials that popped up on ebay and amazon third party sellers for $40-55 / unit a few months back, would they?
On closer inspection, those ads were a bit suspect. Might have been fakes or factory rejects?
Ones I saw were gold and black I think, but that might've been leftovers. I only saw the tail end of that unusual sale.
dpaterson
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Oh and for anybody who for some obscure reason wants to muck with their Jacksons:
Jacksons have R3 nuts.
Jacksons have 32mm FR sustain blocks (NOT 37mm as supplied with these FR Special things) (the FR is recessed so if you put a bigger sustain block on the springs catch on the covering plate at the back) (ask me how I know??? LOL!!!).
Here's something that I WOULD add though (better than stuffing tissue paper behind the springs anyway):
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Noiseless_Tremolo_Springs.html
Regards,
Dale.
Nope. Both came from StewMac. Sealed. In FR branded boxes. Correct branding on the relevant parts too (although I suppose that's no guarantee).
Oh and for anybody who for some obscure reason wants to muck with their Jacksons:
Jacksons have R3 nuts.
Jacksons have 32mm FR sustain blocks (NOT 37mm as supplied with these FR Special things) (the FR is recessed so if you put a bigger sustain block on the springs catch on the covering plate at the back) (ask me how I know??? LOL!!!).
Here's something that I WOULD add though (better than stuffing tissue paper behind the springs anyway):
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Noiseless_Tremolo_Springs.html
Regards,
Dale.
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dpaterson
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Right here:
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Special_Series_Tremolo_System.html
Note also the specs. which is the reason for my notes above i.e. they come with an R2 nut and a 37mm brass sustain block.
If anything here's what I SHOULD have bought:
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Original_Tremolo_System.html
Nut sold separately. And for a Jackson would have to order the smaller sustain block.
Regards,
Dale.
Nope. No such luck either.
Right here:
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Special_Series_Tremolo_System.html
Note also the specs. which is the reason for my notes above i.e. they come with an R2 nut and a 37mm brass sustain block.
If anything here's what I SHOULD have bought:
https://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Bridges_and_Tailpieces/Bridges_and_Tailpieces_for_Electric_Guitar/Floyd_Rose_Tremolos/Floyd_Rose_Original_Tremolo_System.html
Nut sold separately. And for a Jackson would have to order the smaller sustain block.
Regards,
Dale.
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Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Have you considered Gotoh? This seems a little cheaper and more "Ibanez-y"
Have you considered Gotoh? This seems a little cheaper and more "Ibanez-y"
dpaterson
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Nah. For better or for worse I'm a bit of a "traditionalist" so I'd probably only ever go with FR anyway. IF the Jackson hardware ever fails then I'll spend the "big bucks" I guess. Lesson learned. Just was really surprised at the quality of the Special though. And I have two so it's not like one of them was just a dud. They're both the same.
Suppose this is gonna upset one or two people but whatever:
Not limited to the above either I'll tell ya. As MANY will know I just put a Dimarzio Super Distortion into one of these Jacksons. Well I can tell you that "grunt" wise: there is little to no difference, if any, between the stock Jackson pickup and the DM SD (when wired "normal" i.e. in series). Again: no improvement by mucking with the stock Jackson stuff. Alright: this guitar is getting Invaders very shortly (but frankly: I think this is NOW more of a case of me just WANTING Invaders and acting like a brat).
Oh and also for the OP: Jackson pickups are made by an outfit called "Belcat".
Regards,
Dale.
Nope. Will look it up. But I would want more "Jackson-y" anyway!!! LOL!!!Have you considered Gotoh? This seems a little cheaper and more "Ibanez-y"
Nah. For better or for worse I'm a bit of a "traditionalist" so I'd probably only ever go with FR anyway. IF the Jackson hardware ever fails then I'll spend the "big bucks" I guess. Lesson learned. Just was really surprised at the quality of the Special though. And I have two so it's not like one of them was just a dud. They're both the same.
Suppose this is gonna upset one or two people but whatever:
Not limited to the above either I'll tell ya. As MANY will know I just put a Dimarzio Super Distortion into one of these Jacksons. Well I can tell you that "grunt" wise: there is little to no difference, if any, between the stock Jackson pickup and the DM SD (when wired "normal" i.e. in series). Again: no improvement by mucking with the stock Jackson stuff. Alright: this guitar is getting Invaders very shortly (but frankly: I think this is NOW more of a case of me just WANTING Invaders and acting like a brat).
Oh and also for the OP: Jackson pickups are made by an outfit called "Belcat".
Regards,
Dale.
dpaterson
New member
Re: Jackson Js32 tuning stability
Oh well sc**w it.
Thanks to this thread (thank you OP) I decided to leave a less than stellar review on StewMac's website for these things (apparently the review has to be moderated before appearing on the site). StewMac I MUST say are EXCELLENT when it comes to Customer Service (this based on previous and first hand experience). Let's see what happens. I paid for the stuff right??? And it IS, after all, Floyd Rose right??? Just because I ordered the stuff in May of this year and only opened a box a week or two or three ago (or however long ago it was) doesn't change anything right???
Regards,
Dale.
Oh well sc**w it.
Thanks to this thread (thank you OP) I decided to leave a less than stellar review on StewMac's website for these things (apparently the review has to be moderated before appearing on the site). StewMac I MUST say are EXCELLENT when it comes to Customer Service (this based on previous and first hand experience). Let's see what happens. I paid for the stuff right??? And it IS, after all, Floyd Rose right??? Just because I ordered the stuff in May of this year and only opened a box a week or two or three ago (or however long ago it was) doesn't change anything right???
Regards,
Dale.
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