How many trems still have a spring in the hole?

[cradlehall]

I unscrewed my trem bar to have a look at the spring and I couldn't get it out. It was completely stuck. It was jammed in real tight. I tried various methods to get it out and they all failed.

Eventually, I got a hand drill with a bit that fitted inside the spring and very carefully drilled into the hole and the spring wound onto the bit and out it came.
GENIUS.

I now use the trem bar without a spring because I don't want it to happen again.

Does anyone-else not use a spring? Is a spring rather surplus to requirements?

[Dauntless]

I use plumbers tape wrapped around the threaded shaft of the trem bar.
Holds it where I want it.

[Mark Davis]

Callaham recommends NOT to use the spring.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/blocks.htm

[Arby]

I got fed up of the sloppiness, so I made a bar holder that stays screwed permanently into the trem block, allowing me much finer tolerances where the trem bar slots in.
It's the rusty thing in the photo.
(Ignore the other devices on the guitar, they just stop any de-tuning during string bends).

[GTO]

Using the trem arm without the spring can cause the threads to distort at the end if you are screwing it in all the way to help keep it in place. I can't see why you shouldn't/wouldn't use a spring, they are cheap, and keep the arm in place. And you just shot yourself in the foot cradlehall because you already admitted you can now get the old ones out easily enough.

They don't last forever, buy a pack and use them up, then buy another pack.

[tazzboy]

Just add the extra tension springs to your guitar. That's what I did to one of my guitars.

[cradlehall]

Originally Posted by Mark Davis

Callaham recommends NOT to use the spring.

http://www.callahamguitars.com/blocks.htm

That's a very interesting article, Mark. Maybe someone should send it to Fender.

[Mid Life Crisis]

Originally Posted by Arby

I got fed up of the sloppiness, so I made a bar holder that stays screwed permanently into the trem block, allowing me much finer tolerances where the trem bar slots in.
It's the rusty thing in the photo.
(Ignore the other devices on the guitar, they just stop any de-tuning during string bends).

You did that to your Strat???

[bobthecanadian]

Hey Arby,

That's a freeky little trem unit you got yerself. I think I like it's funktion. Other than it looking really non-traditional, how does it work for you? Do you ever catch your hand on it, or something like that?

Cheers,

Bob

PS - How about a shot of the whole guitar?

Originally Posted by Arby

I got fed up of the sloppiness, so I made a bar holder that stays screwed permanently into the trem block, allowing me much finer tolerances where the trem bar slots in.
It's the rusty thing in the photo.
(Ignore the other devices on the guitar, they just stop any de-tuning during string bends).

[cradlehall]

Originally Posted by Arby

I got fed up of the sloppiness, so I made a bar holder that stays screwed permanently into the trem block, allowing me much finer tolerances where the trem bar slots in.
It's the rusty thing in the photo.
(Ignore the other devices on the guitar, they just stop any de-tuning during string bends).

That sure is some contraption, Arby. Must add a couple more pounds to the weight of the guitar.

[CancerLeoCam]

Originally Posted by cradlehall

I unscrewed my trem bar to have a look at the spring and I couldn't get it out. It was completely stuck. It was jammed in real tight. I tried various methods to get it out and they all failed.

Eventually, I got a hand drill with a bit that fitted inside the spring and very carefully drilled into the hole and the spring wound onto the bit and out it came.
GENIUS.

I now use the trem bar without a spring because I don't want it to happen again.

Does anyone-else not use a spring? Is a spring rather surplus to requirements?

I think all that removal work was overkill. Sears has a small inexpensive tool that pulls it right out. It looks like an awl with it's needle end bent a bit. It works swell everytime.

I ALWAYS use the spring-no fuss, no muss. Just drop it in and screw the trem bar in until your desired level of tension is met and you're good to go. Actually, a very smart idea. I actually change them about once (maybe twice) a year.

[chickenpicker]

Originally Posted by Mid Life Crisis

You did that to your Strat???

This is Arby's Strat:



It's a Japanese Squier from 1984.

ps As of today, Arby is a grandfather!

[rkwrenn]

Originally Posted by chickenpicker

This is Arby's Strat:



It's a Japanese Squier from 1984.

ps As of today, Arby is a grandfather!

Congrats on being a new granddad!!! Very nice playing, very NICE!

Cheers