This old thread popped up in a search for something else, but it has suddenly become of interest to me, so I'm resurrecting it.

chad3006
I've heard, but haven't done it myself, you can drop a small spring down into the threaded hole for the arm and when you find the right size/tension, etc. you can "fine tune" the amount of floppiness/stiffness you like.

Just a few minutes ago I was reading a PDF of 1995 Squier owner's manual (from the Fender Support site), and in the section on the "standard style tremolo" it sez:

Fender recommends that you remove the tremolo arm when storing the instrument. You will need to place a small piece of tape over the receptacle hole to insure that the tremolo arm tension spring remains in the hole and is not lost.

I know mine didn't come with a spring inside (hole doesn't go right through either), but it sounds like a good idea.

My thought was to drop a short piece of one of those pencil-type eraser refills into it. Something compressible.
I tried a bit of latex tubing, more like the way I imagined how dp has his set up, but the arm kept springing back to the original position. I'll look for some polyurethane tubing. Or a spring to drop inside, with a small washer or something between the spring top and the arm so it doesn't try to torque the spring.

I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.

And the next question, flat only or sharp and flat. I have mine setup for flat only, with locking tuners, it never goes out of tune. For the record, floopy.

www.cutbacksurfband.com

As of yesterday, I'm one of the "in-between" guys.

casey
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/product/Fender-Tremolo-Arm-Tension-Springs-12?sku=420519&src=3WFRWXX&CAWELAID=26027612here's a link to the springs for the trem arm. Work OK for me - never heard of them until recently.

I found a spring laying around, cut it to what I thought was a good length, and dropped in. The wire it was made with looks a bit thinner that those at Musician's Friend, so it's probably not as stiff. The bar stays put when I push it out of the way, but there is very little resistance when I need to swing it into action.

I guess I really don't even use my Strat trem. It doesn't stay in tune at all.

I'm having no trouble with my Squier Bullet Strat staying in tune. (5 springs, back of bridge floats 3/32" off the body, .011 - .050 flat-wounds)

I'm not a complete idiot. Some parts are missing.

DennistheMenace
p.s. To begin with, when the bar IS loose,there's always play
in it with the threading, which means it won't respond as
quickly as if the bar was tight (stiff).

That's exactly the problem I had with mine (I like the bar loose) and as a result it will get even more slop in it after you use it that way for a year or two.

The only solution that I know of (and what I eventually ended up doing) is to get something like the "Callaham Enhanced Block" that has a delrin bushing that holds the bar tight (no wobble) even when loose (not fully screwed into the block). I've yet to determine how well the new block will hold up with long term use but so far it's great!

www.apollo4.com

IvanP
Much cheaper is to just buy that little spring you can put in the trem hole. It works like a charm, I have it in all three of my Strats. If you still want it a bit loose, just don't screw in the bar as far.

Ivan

The spring didn't work for me on my Strat...YMMV

www.apollo4.com

P2gee

SURFmole

DennistheMenace
The only solution that I know of (and what I eventually ended up doing) is to get something like the "Callaham Enhanced Block" that has a delrin bushing that holds the bar tight (no wobble) even when loose (not fully screwed into the block). I've yet to determine how well the new block will hold up with long term use but so far it's great!

I have the Callaham block/bridge installed on my Strat and if it does nothing else it removes arm slop from the tremelo. Much more connected feel. Callaham is not a big proponent of the spring and actually recommends taking it out an throwing it away. Claims it leads to thread gauling and eventual breakage of the arm. The site has a very good explanation of the arm design flaws and what he has done to correct them. My tremelo seems much smoother and more linear since I installed the parts.

well, that's a cool idea...thanks for this post! i'll have to look into this...

After reading all the info, I thought I would try the aquarium tube method. Then, the thought hit me! I have electrical shrink tubing in the drawer in the kitchen, try that before you run out and buy something. It worked like a charm! Then I found that I prefer the loose method!??!! Can you believe that? I realy wanted to like the stiff method, but, I guess I am used to the loose bar that it is now second nature to me. Oh well, I did find another solution to fix the problem.

I set my trem pretty stiff but still movable and a little below the strings so it doesn't get in the way but it's still reachable when needed.

Augusto Vite

www.facebook.com/carne.y.cosas

I keep it loose and hangin' cause i like to go get it when i need it!! Keeps me on my toes AND i like the "clank" sound it makes when i let go and it hits the cable.
R-R

http://www.myspace.com/thetakeoffs

The TakeOffs
"Kauai's Only All-Instrumental Surf Band"
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I just screw in my tremolo arm until it stops on its own, then let it fall down a bit. When I'm jamming with it, I'll either let it dangle till I need it, then let it fall back, or I'll hold it with my pinkie, depending on what I'm playing.

Matt

Fast Cars & Loud Guitars!