Mastery bridge + vibrato for AV65 JM

[Mark 63]

I'm looking at upgrading the OEM bridge on my American Vintage Jazzmaster (circa 2016). The difference looks pretty obvious. But what about the Mastery vibrato? Will that be subtantially better than the Fender version, which already works quite well? Is it worth the additional $175 for the package?

Thank you.

[Unicorn Warrior]

Some will say no. Some will say yes.

I personally say yes. I've experienced trems ranging from AVRI, vintage fender years 66' and 72', and cheaper stuff. The vintage units I probably liked just a hair more than the mastery. But it was close. I thought the mastery was much better than the avri unit I had however.

[Larsongs]

I had my Tremelo on my AV65 Jag & JM Set up by a Pro & it works perfectly. I Have no problem with the stock Bridge on the Jag. I did opt for a Mustang Bridge on the JM but not sure I really needed to.

Getting them Set up correctly is everything.

No I can't see spending a couple hundred buscks for the after market Trem.

Lars

[Embenny]

It's the usual high end vs mid-range argument. The stock vibrato is great. The Mastery is sublime. The precision, the adjustability.

Then again, it's the price of a new set of pickups. Or a whole brand new bullet Mustang. Value is relative.

If I had to have one, ultimate Offset, it would have the Mastery. But I split my time between too many guitars, so I don't see the need to upgrade something that expensive on multiple guitars, which is why I don't own one.

[eigentone]

I consider the bridge and thimbles mandatory upgrades. Not so with the vibrato.

The Mastery vibrato's nice. I wouldn't call it flawless. It fixed some things, but not all. If I were building a guitar, then I would consider using it. However, I think the AV vibrato is quite good. For me the Mastery wasn't an amazing upgrade like the bridge is.

I guess this really depends on how much vibrato you use and how picky you are about it.

[shoule79]

The Mastery bridge is a no brainer, but I've never seen the point of updating the vibrato. How good the vibrato is stock was always one of the selling points on a JM/jag. I even didn't mind the mij/cij trem to be honest.

[sunburster]

I love the AVRI trem. Works perfectly and looks great with a proper Fender logo. I don't like the look of the Mastery and don't see the need for it, especially at the asking price.

[leokula]

For me, at the same time that I acknowledge the mastery bridge as an arguably obvious improvement, I think back to all those artists using the jazzmaster and the jaguar left and right with the old bridges or with the much dreaded TOM in the 80's and 90's. And as others told, with good setup, you can live with them just fine.

[Axolotl]

Never have tried the Mastery trem, but have you looked into an staytrem arm? It totally changes/improves the trem system, and is about a quarter of the price of the mastery. Def worth IMHO.

[Mark 63]

Thanks for all the comments. I ordered the bridge but not the vibrato. I removed the stock Fender and got a good look at the mechanism and the parts. They look rock solid, so no reason to spend the extra $175.

[Mike S]

Is there a reason why Mastery doesn't include the lock in their vibrato? Is it a proprietary issue?

[WockaWockaWocka]

I thought I would chime in with my two cents since I had this same question awhile ago. First, I have mastery bridges on both my Jazzmaster and Jaguar. I went with the staytrem arm and colette on both as well. Both trems are avri, and I had significant problems with them in the beginning. The Jazzmaster would break high E strings every show, guaranteed. I was playing instrumental surf, lots of trem use. Both E strings would touch the back screws on the trem plate (the three domed screws), causing all sorts of issues. Finally, the movement of the unit was stiff and clunky, not fluid and smooth. I was tempted to try a mastery trem unit, but decided for a more economical solution. To alleviate the string breakage issue I got some abrasive cord from stewmac and lightly ran it through and around the six holes on trem plate to smooth out any burs, because that's where all my string breakage occurred. Second, I got some equivalent screws at ace hardware to replace the three domed screws. I had to cut to size and file the dome flat. The screws are not flush or countersunk like the mastery unit, but the strings no longer touch. And third, I got some all purpose mechanical lubricant from harbor freight and lightly greased the contact points inside the trem where the two plates grind together. I am extremely satisfied with the results these simple improvements have provided. Anyway, just wanted share my experience if it is helpful.