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Post by Ripper on Apr 2, 2007 9:23:09 GMT -5
My tremolo bar is loose. It moves from side to side even though its screwed in tightly. Does anyone have any tips? Teflon tape perhaps?...btw...Whats the little spring thingy for? Does it actually serve a purpose?
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Post by hammeroff on Apr 2, 2007 10:29:39 GMT -5
Here's an excerpt from www.callahamguitars.comBlock and Arm DesignThe original design of the sychronized tremolo although revolutional at the time has several flaws. These flaws have never been addressed by Fender and they even carry these flaws into the American Standard Tremolos and their Mexican models. The problem is the .205 DIA x 3/16 long counterbore in the top of the block. The photo to your right shows a sectional view of a current Fender vintage block to illustrate the counterbore. This counterbore is also in American Standard blocks. The counterbore creates a tremendous stress riser on the first thread of the trem arm, the weakest section of the arm, because the arm is completely unsupported at the top of the block. The forces developed when using the trem are applied directly to the threaded section of the arm. It doesn't matter if the arm is made from high strength materials, it will eventually fail right at the first thread. The counterbore also reduces the leverage over trem springs. Fender arms also have significant play in the threads making the bridge very slow to respond and making subtle vibrato effects difficult. The Fender solution is a heavy spring in the bottom of the block. This spring causes the threads to gall and suddenly the arm is locked in the block and the only way to remove it is to break it off. Most people loss this spring without even knowing it, which is good. But trying to replace it is a mistake. HTH --Matt |
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Post by dd842 on Apr 2, 2007 10:37:11 GMT -5
My tremolo bar is loose. It moves from side to side even though its screwed in tightly. Does anyone have any tips? Teflon tape perhaps?...btw...Whats the little spring thingy for? Does it actually serve a purpose? Funny, I went poking around some other forums to see what others may have come up with for a loose tremolo problem ... you guessed it - Teflon tape!  |
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Post by Ripper on Apr 2, 2007 10:52:54 GMT -5
Thanks guys!
btw...about losing the spring. I cut a small piece from a fridge magnet. I put it over the hole when the bar isnt screwed in.
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Post by ChrisK on Apr 3, 2007 11:38:26 GMT -5
Tremolo  ,.....tremo'Leo  ,.....a ha, a vibrato ! Yes, it's an ensurance policy. It ensures that you'll be buying a new arm, screw, and likely a block eventually. It's a bandaid for a problem that never should have existed. I never screw the bar in ('cept in a Callaham). If it's a vintage-design 6 screw vibrato, I adjust it down until it functions like a hardtail. For vibrato use, I use a Wilkinson. It's actually not possible to set up a vintage 6 screw without some fulcrum movement up and down on the mounting screws. |
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Post by dd842 on Apr 17, 2007 11:44:34 GMT -5
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Post by Ripper on May 20, 2007 10:10:36 GMT -5
I think what I may do is just leave the arm off of the guitar. Have the bridge raised slightly, and use the side of my hand to gently warble the bridge if the music/song calls for it.
Its not like you can do dive bombs with a stock Fender trem system anyway.
and ( im sorry guys )...Im not a big Floyd Rose fan.
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Post by lunaalta on May 20, 2007 13:27:25 GMT -5
Jimi didn't seem to have too many problems dive bombing or flying high.....
How did he deal with it, I wonder?
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Post by Ripper on May 20, 2007 14:57:14 GMT -5
lunaalta...
When moneys no object ( Hendrix ) you dont have to worry about loose tremolos. When the guitar starts acting up ( trem probs, etc ) You simply grab another from the 20 or so waiting in the wings and your problem is solved.
It also helps that you have top notch guitar techs at your command. You & I and most others dont have the luxury of replacing guitar parts on a whim.
btw... Hendrix live? after a few dive bombs would go out of tune big time!
In the studio??....Thats why you have multiple takes. To get it just right.
Im my opinion Jimi Hendrix as great as he was, sounded terrible live in concert. It was only while in the studio that his sound cleared up and you could actually hear the master at work.
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Post by sumgai on May 20, 2007 20:52:38 GMT -5
deep, Yeah, but in the studio, you didn't dare smoke the right stuff, lest some stuffed-shirt big-wig come waltzing in.  In concert, however............. ;D  ;D ;D sumgai |
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Post by lunaalta on May 22, 2007 13:38:14 GMT -5
He, he, I saw Jimi play live 3 times and never noticed his guitars go out of tune, musta been the right stuff.... LOL
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Post by Ripper on May 22, 2007 14:15:47 GMT -5
Perhaps you & Jimi were in sync on those nights?.....as well as the other thousands who were there. I detect a sweet smell in the air! LOL! You were quite fortunate to have seen the legend in concert.  |
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,.....tremo'Leo 
,.....a ha, a vibrato 
In concert, however............. ;D 
;D 