dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Oct 24 2006 03:08 PM
For you "strat-type" guitar players: do you prefer your tremolo bar stiff or floppy? Does your bar stay in place parallel to your strings, or does it dangle down until you need it? If you prefer a stiff bar, how do you rig your handle to stay in place?
for example, on my Strat-like screw-in trem handle, I use a 3 cm length of clear vinyl aquarium airline tubing (from the pet store) to form a sort of sleeve above the threads on the tremolo handle: when the handle is screwed into the bridge, it stays put somewhat parallel to the strings (sort of like the handle on a Jazzmaster or Jaguar trem). Every once and a while, the tubing wears out, and I have to cut a new piece and install.
Last edited: Oct 25, 2006 15:08:05
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JetBlue
Joined: May 30, 2006
Posts: 746
Cool, CA
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Posted on Oct 24 2006 03:14 PM
I voted stiff but I don't keep mine parallel to the strings. It's slightly lower but I like it to be in close range and I don't want to have to go looking for it. 
My trem is a Wilkinson. The arm pushes into a nylon bushing and the amount of friction that holds it place can be adjusted via a set screw on the outside of the bushing.
— Don
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Anonymous
Joined: Nov 10, 2000
Posts: -180
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Posted on Oct 24 2006 05:36 PM
 i take them off and block up the guts or just tighten up the spring claw. i don't like the damn things at all.. i'll pull bend the string or the whole set or whatever to get what i want. a bad old habit fromplaying the blues for years. floyds or wilkinsons?? toomuch for me to mess with but alot of people like em. been known to bend the neck too!! 
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Oct 24 2006 06:02 PM
surfdaddy
i take them off and block up the guts or just tighten up the spring claw. i don't like the damn things at all.. i'll pull bend the string or the whole set or whatever to get what i want. a bad old habit fromplaying the blues for years. floyds or wilkinsons?? toomuch for me to mess with but alot of people like em. been known to bend the neck too!!
man, I didn't even consider the "no handle" Strat tremolo crowd...
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holikujak
Joined: Apr 03, 2006
Posts: 107
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Posted on Oct 24 2006 06:06 PM
yea i never used the handle, had it jacked up out of the body so that i would just have to stick my fenders underneath and that would raise it to the height of my finger which i had set up to be the perfect amount of dive
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Joelman
Joined: Sep 07, 2006
Posts: 1506
Redlands, CA
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Posted on Oct 24 2006 11:54 PM
I keep mine stiff, but not parallel to the strings. It is sort of at a 45* angle to the strings. I use mine, and I tried it hanging down, but it just slowed the grab time to much.
dp, you use the tubing as a sort of depth guide? Is that what you are saying? Screw the arm in until the tubing acts like a pressure brake? If so, that is great a idea. One which I am going to try! 
Heck even if you mean something else I am going to try it anyways!
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moondevil
Joined: Sep 10, 2006
Posts: 250
Lancaster, CA
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 01:31 AM
Teflon tape before every gig. Yeah, it's a pain in the ass, but I deserve it.
So who's great idea at Fender was it to drill the strat blocks all the way through? Dan Erliwine's suggestion to drop a spring down the hole is great for those old blocks is cool but most blocks are drilled all the way.
— Dean(aka Moondevil)
deanmatherly.com
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eddiewagner
Joined: Aug 12, 2006
Posts: 77
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 03:09 AM
pretty stiff for me please with the bidge flat to the body.
— www.myspace.com/captaintwangandhisrhythmcat
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Wraydar
Joined: Apr 21, 2006
Posts: 265
San Antonio, TX
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 06:29 AM
Joelman
dp,you use the tubing as a sort of depth guide? Is that what you are saying? Screw the arm in until the tubing acts like a pressure brake? If so, that is great a idea. One which I am going to try!
Heck even if you mean something else I am going to try it anyways!
My thought's exactly.
— <img src="klzzwxh:0000"></img>
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 06:46 AM
appearanlty Im the only one who voted floppy. oh well.
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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DannySnyder
Joined: Mar 02, 2006
Posts: 11075
Berkeley, CA
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 07:41 AM
kudos to all around for restraint in making double entendres.
I prefer it stiff my self, though about 15 deg. below parallel.
— Danny Snyder
"With great reverb comes great responsibility" - Uncle Leo
I am now playing trumpet with Prince Buster tribute band 'Balzac'
Playing keys and guitar with Combo Tezeta
Formerly a guitarist in The TomorrowMen and Meshugga Beach Party
Latest surf project - Now That's What I Call SURF
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Fripperton
Joined: Aug 14, 2006
Posts: 270
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 08:25 AM
I keep mine to where I can grab it quickly for Surf so I keep it set at where my fingertips are so I can just touch it while I play and get that Surf warble if I don't want a heavier dive-bomb effect. I have to have it set at an agle to the strings otherwise it interferes with getting to the pickup selector switch.
— There is Surf east of Sepulveda.
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 02:45 PM
Joelman
dp, you use the tubing as a sort of depth guide? Is that what you are saying? Screw the arm in until the tubing acts like a pressure brake? If so, that is great a idea...
yes...it seems like you have the picture exactly....the tubing acts a pressure brake that acts to keep the otherwise floppy handle in place...
-dp
Last edited: Oct 26, 2006 19:21:47
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Oct 25 2006 08:56 PM
I like mine stiff too. 
I use the teflon tape method but the tubing trick is intriguing.
Does the tubing space the trem bar out away from the body a noticeable distance dp?
— The Thunderchiefs
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dp
Joined: Feb 26, 2006
Posts: 3546
mojave desert, california
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Posted on Oct 26 2006 11:50 AM
krupanut
Does the tubing space the trem bar out away from the body a noticeable distance dp?
the tubing does not really change the spacing of the handle from the face of the guitar at all...the tubing is installed above the threads on the trem handle...the tubing simply stops the handle in a position you prefer through friction...
i'll have to post a picture of the setup soon, so it will be more obvious...
-dp
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WR
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 3832
netherlands
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Posted on Oct 26 2006 01:35 PM
dp
it stays put somewhat parallel to the strings (sort of like the handle on a Jazzmaster or Jaguar trem).
I actually keep the trem arm on the jag dangling too. just works better for me. I need to have it out of the way when playing, or else I keep hitting it. and it's an easy find if it's always pointing down. I've found Ive actually more trouble locating it instantly during play when it's 'stiff", 'cause it'll always be in a different position where I left it. admittedly, my trem technique isn't very sophisticated. (actually, none of my technique is )
WR
— Rules to live by #314:
"When in Italy, if the menu says something's grilled, don't assume it is."
https://www.facebook.com/The-Malbehavers-286429584796173/
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Oct 26 2006 02:19 PM
dp
krupanut
Does the tubing space the trem bar out away from the body a noticeable distance dp?
the tubing does not really change the spacing of the handle from the face of the guitar at all...the tubing is installed above the threads on the trem handle...the tubing simply stops the handle in a position you prefer through friction...
i'll have to post a picture of the setup soon, so it will be more obvious...
-dp
Thanks,
I'm off to the whare house here at my day job fitting company to see if we have any 1/4 lab tubing in stock
— The Thunderchiefs
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krupanut
Joined: Feb 27, 2006
Posts: 492
Austin Texas
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Posted on Oct 26 2006 02:21 PM
WR
dp
it stays put somewhat parallel to the strings (sort of like the handle on a Jazzmaster or Jaguar trem).
admittedly, my trem technique isn't very sophisticated. (actually, none of my technique is )
WR
I think you're in really good company then WR!
— The Thunderchiefs
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surfneptune
Joined: Mar 16, 2006
Posts: 923
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Posted on Oct 26 2006 07:47 PM
actually it is kinda in-between for me, rotated out of the way but not dangling. I also like all 5 springs and the plate RIGHT ON THE BODY. No up whammy thanks.
THen I use as little string on the tuner pegs as possible, one one and a half times around. Lube the nut with graphite. If you break a string it will stay in tune. And the body ressonates Way better with the bridge this way too.
— THe NEpTuNeS
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nocoastsurfer
Joined: Oct 30, 2006
Posts: 8
midwest
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Posted on Oct 30 2006 09:18 PM
totally stiff, not right by the strings but i like it right there in fingers length, im used to a bigsby though from my dillion and tele but on my strat i actually had a trem bar custom made from a stainless steel shop here in town. ill take a pic sometime and post it if i remember. its the length of the guitar itself and wraps around to get a good hold of it.
— get coosta mingy!!! www.myspace.com/nocoastsurfers
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