gdw3
Halfnote
Insert clever statement here
Posts: 81
Formerly Known As: Gordon
|
Post by gdw3 on Jun 10, 2021 16:25:14 GMT -5
...how to keep from losing the tiny spring that keeps tension on the threaded trem arm the first time you turn the guitar over???
OK, I'm being a LITTLE dramatic. But the answer is: you don't. I literally lost that spring the first time I got my Strat home and played it. I didn't know they had them! I'd had a few guitars with whammy bars, but did not expect that. (I'm sorry, but it's a dumb design).
For years, I've gone without and just let the arm flop around, banging my cable connector, or even my hand if I'm moving around a lot. Today while I was looking through my parts, hoping I had a spring small enough to fit in there (I don't), I had a Revelation. I was trying to think about what could serve the same purpose, but not fall out? Something that's wedged in there good, but doesn't ruin anything and I can get out if I don't like it?
A sponge.
A couple of tiny bits of sponge, pushed into the hole. It bounces back like a spring, but it stays wedged in there. And you can make it tighter by putting more sponge. Perfect! I think I've now reached Strat Enlightenment.
(side note: I put stainless steel frets on that thing a couple of weeks ago, and I can't put it down! Unbelievable.)
|
|
|
Post by rdr on Jun 10, 2021 18:00:14 GMT -5
Put a little grease on the spring.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 10, 2021 18:20:48 GMT -5
I use the flat refrigerator magnets. I cut a square-shaped piece and put on top of the hole when I remove the bar and put in case. I had an idea to create logo-specialized ones....if you do a startup, I want a small piece
|
|
|
Post by budg on Jun 10, 2021 19:45:49 GMT -5
There’s a spring? Damn . I use dielectric grease. Not for any other reason than it’s thick and clear.
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jun 11, 2021 0:25:25 GMT -5
Another effective option is an eraser from a Pentel technical pencil: I've always liked the Floyd Rose's bar attachment scheme; it drops in and uses a threaded collar that acts as a clutch and allows you to adjust the drag on the bar so it's swingy or stays where you leave it. I drill out the Fender bridge, shorten the inertia block, and install the Floyd replacement bar. It costs around $15 online:
|
|
|
Post by Mike the marksman on Jun 11, 2021 7:49:30 GMT -5
Solve the problem once and for all and get a Callaham block and pop-in arm, or one of the Gotoh units with their arm attachment. One of the best useability upgrades you can do to a strat. The spring (or teflon tape, or clear fingernail polish) will keep the arm positioned where you want, but it will still have that sloppy "clunk" when you use the arm.
|
|
|
Post by ninworks on Jun 11, 2021 8:34:27 GMT -5
That's not the greatest Strat issue AFAIC. A Strat's greatest issue is the weirdness of the string sound from the offending magnetic field of the neck pickup. I have the tailpiece on my Strat disabled and up against the body so there's no way it will move. If I need a guitar with a whoopie stick I have another guitar for that and it stays in tune.
|
|
|
Post by cedarchoper58 on Jun 11, 2021 12:45:47 GMT -5
i like no spring it lets the trem drop strait down when i let go
|
|
gdw3
Halfnote
Insert clever statement here
Posts: 81
Formerly Known As: Gordon
|
Post by gdw3 on Jun 11, 2021 13:36:41 GMT -5
Put a little grease on the spring. Don't have the spring or grease. My solution leaves no residue.
|
|
gdw3
Halfnote
Insert clever statement here
Posts: 81
Formerly Known As: Gordon
|
Post by gdw3 on Jun 11, 2021 13:38:28 GMT -5
Solve the problem once and for all and get a Callaham block and pop-in arm, or one of the Gotoh units with their arm attachment. One of the best useability upgrades you can do to a strat. The spring (or teflon tape, or clear fingernail polish) will keep the arm positioned where you want, but it will still have that sloppy "clunk" when you use the arm. The bridge in general is fine. If I were ever to replace it, I'd probably get a HipShot. I actually already replaced the saddles with HipShot. Anyway, my solution is cheaper!
|
|
|
Post by TonyM on Jun 11, 2021 22:16:35 GMT -5
I keep extra springs in my guitar case. Ever since I started doing that I haven't lost one.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 13, 2021 12:23:25 GMT -5
Wow, Peegoo that is cool! I also like the control of the floyd collars to leave it loose or snug it. Thanks!
|
|
|
Post by snakeboy on Jun 13, 2021 14:49:03 GMT -5
Once I put the bar on a Strat, I never take it off.....except for the time I broke one & had to change it.
I find this is the best way to not lose the spring.....or the arm.
|
|
|
Post by Mfitz804 on Jun 13, 2021 19:08:33 GMT -5
I never use nor install the term bar.
|
|
sirWheat
Wholenote
For a better future, play Stevie Wonder for your children.
Posts: 318
|
Post by sirWheat on Jun 13, 2021 19:32:19 GMT -5
Funny, I've owned a few strats over the years (never got along with 'em) and had no idea that there was supposed to be a spring in there.
|
|
gdw3
Halfnote
Insert clever statement here
Posts: 81
Formerly Known As: Gordon
|
Post by gdw3 on Jun 15, 2021 17:28:58 GMT -5
Once I put the bar on a Strat, I never take it off.....except for the time I broke one & had to change it. I find this is the best way to not lose the spring.....or the arm. Not an option. The case would push down on the arm.
|
|
Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
|
Post by Ayns on Jun 16, 2021 15:57:03 GMT -5
Funny, I've owned a few strats over the years (never got along with 'em) and had no idea that there was supposed to be a spring in there. Me too. I've currently got 6 Strats, and have probably owned half a dozen others, and I didn't know about the spring. :-)
|
|
gdw3
Halfnote
Insert clever statement here
Posts: 81
Formerly Known As: Gordon
|
Post by gdw3 on Jun 16, 2021 16:15:34 GMT -5
Funny, I've owned a few strats over the years (never got along with 'em) and had no idea that there was supposed to be a spring in there. Me too. I've currently got 6 Strats, and have probably owned half a dozen others, and I didn't know about the spring. :-) I didn't either, until I took the guitar out for the first time, and the spring fell out into the case. It was lost very soon after. By the way, this is the 2-point trem bridge. I don't know if the 6-point uses one or not.
|
|
|
Post by Auf Kiltre on Jun 16, 2021 17:25:07 GMT -5
I don't recall the spring until maybe the 2000's(?)
I wonder if rubbing the little spring on a speaker magnet would keep it in place (providing the trem block and spring are steel).
|
|
Ayns
Wholenote
Posts: 767
|
Post by Ayns on Jun 17, 2021 1:33:15 GMT -5
I don't recall the spring until maybe the 2000's(?) I wonder if rubbing the little spring on a speaker magnet would keep it in place (providing the trem block and spring are steel). Ah; my most recent Strat (apart from my AVRI 62, which I presume doesn't have one) is 2001 AmSe. :-)
|
|
|
Post by jhawkr on Jun 17, 2021 10:04:06 GMT -5
Me and Eric don’t use the whammy bar. Problem solved.
|
|
|
Post by Leftee on Jun 18, 2021 9:26:24 GMT -5
|
|
gdw3
Halfnote
Insert clever statement here
Posts: 81
Formerly Known As: Gordon
|
Post by gdw3 on Jun 21, 2021 18:45:04 GMT -5
Mine is an 2005 AmSe. I'm guessing maybe the spring started with the 2-point bridge? "Me and Eric don’t use the whammy bar. Problem solved." -- but how am I supposed to show my talent?
|
|
|
Post by Duke on Jun 24, 2021 13:37:31 GMT -5
For under $10 you can get a pack of 12 springs from GC. A lifetime supply for some of us.
Fender Tremolo Arm Tension Springs (12) condition: New Brand: Fender Code : ee6-411398000362381
|
|
|
Post by Lefty Rev on Jun 24, 2021 13:59:14 GMT -5
I have the SuperVee Bladerunner Trem on a couple of my Warmoths, and it works well. It has a little plastic insert that can be adjusted for how much trem arm play you want, and doesn't fall out when you remove the bar (the insert screws in). Mine's a lefty
|
|
|
Post by markfromhawaii on Jun 24, 2021 22:01:23 GMT -5
I've never understood the need for the spring. My Strat vibrato bar gets used and I've never felt there was any benefit to have the spring in there. But really, here's the most important question for all vibrato bars: Leave the bar on or take it off when putting the guitar back in the case or gig bag?
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Jun 26, 2021 8:59:26 GMT -5
I always take the bars off, especially if it's going in a gig bag
|
|
|
Post by rickyguitar on Jun 27, 2021 23:45:02 GMT -5
I thought you were going to say the cost of a Lester...ok, just kidding. Not an issue on my G & L.
|
|
|
Post by Peegoo 🏁 on Jun 29, 2021 8:56:57 GMT -5
Funny, I've owned a few strats over the years (never got along with 'em) and had no idea that there was supposed to be a spring in there. That's why new Strats with the 'vintage reissue' bridge have that little orange paper sticker or adhesive aluminum foil over the arm hole. The sticker is designed to allow the buyer to lose the spring
|
|
MoJoe
Wholenote
Posts: 855
Formerly Known As: quiksilver
|
Post by MoJoe on Jun 30, 2021 6:06:15 GMT -5
Got rid of the bar altogether, grabbing the bridge from behind and rocking it gently only.. 😎
|
|