Strat Whammy Bar 'Stabilization'

cormac · #1 09.12.12, 2:10 PM

Not sure how to describe it in a short title so here's what i mean

as strat players know the whammy bar (the bar itself not the entire contraption) will be in a higher position when it's new and then slowly start to drop as the threads 'loosen' or however it is best to describe this ... unlike a bigsby which you can move to a certain position, height, or angle and have it stay there, the strat one will just drop back down to a 6 o'clock position once you've played with it for a bit ...

anyone have a solution to this? i'd like for it to sit more at a 3 or 4 o'clock position and not have to reach for it (search for it at times) to use it ... i don't want to glue or secure it to one certain position ... still would need to be able to remove it when putting it in the case so it's not pressed down when the lid is closed ...

hope that all makes sense lol

thanks for any suggestions or solutions others have used

NoFroBro · #2 09.12.12, 6:39 PM

The "pro" solution is to put a spring in the cavity before you wind the arm in. This gives the necessary push to hold the bar in place. The quick and dirty one is to put scotch/sticky tape around the threads. Although this eventually(frequently) needs replacing it does the job fine. Actual thread tape (from plumbing) may work better but I've never used it

.

cormac · #3 09.12.12, 6:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoFroBro

The "pro" solution is to put a spring in the cavity before you wind the arm in. This gives the necessary push to hold the bar in place. The quick and dirty one is to put scotch/sticky tape around the threads. Although this eventually(frequently) needs replacing it does the job fine. Actual thread tape (from plumbing) may work better but I've never used it

.

well if you'd ever witnessed any of my attempts at plumbing, you'd never recommend that to me

lol ...

but i'd thought of tape but then your add-on that it would wear it etc and i also suspect get messy is a draw back

but the spring is great ... is there a 'pro spring' made for this specifically that you know of?

thanks for the suggestions

NoFroBro · #4 09.13.12, 6:52 PM

The sticky tape is a bit messy but most of the mess is down the hole so...

The 'Pro' spring is a les paul pickup height adjustment spring. It fits in the hole and is long enough that you can then cut to the length you need after a bit of experimentation.

lobsty · #5 09.16.12, 3:54 AM

Les Paul pickup spring? Thanks for the tip. My Strat is effectively a hard tail but I'll file that away in my mind for a future Strat!

NoFroBro · #6 09.16.12, 6:57 PM

Always a pleasure Crusty one. If you're ever back in OZ and up the NSW coast I'll do you a free set-up. The Music Zoo - Kempsey, Australia - Education | Facebook

lobsty · #7 09.17.12, 2:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoFroBro

Always a pleasure Crusty one. If you're ever back in OZ and up the NSW coast I'll do you a free set-up. The Music Zoo - Kempsey, Australia - Education | Facebook

Thanks for the offer! I'm back here now but will be in Melbourne for the forseeable future. We're not really doing much Australian touring these days but I'd like to take a trip up there sometime for the hell of it.. if I do I'd love to take you up on the offer

Braunz0 · #8 09.18.12, 10:07 AM

Fender actually sells Tremolo Springs... I'm not referring to the springs that go on the claw, but an actual spring that sits down in the bar cavity. The American Standards come with them, but a lot of people don't know that when they take that sticker off of the tremolo that covers the hole and lose the spring not even knowing it's there.

I've got those springs in both of my strats and I never have an issue.

cormac · #9 09.22.12, 5:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Braunz0

Fender actually sells Tremolo Springs... I'm not referring to the springs that go on the claw, but an actual spring that sits down in the bar cavity. The American Standards come with them, but a lot of people don't know that when they take that sticker off of the tremolo that covers the hole and lose the spring not even knowing it's there.

I've got those springs in both of my strats and I never have an issue.

wow never even knew that they actually supplied one ... not that i've ever owned a brand new one lol ... i always assumed that with fender you just had to tolerate and get used to it hanging down like that since that's how i remember always seeing them on other guy's axes ... but i'll look around and perhaps can even find a 'genuine' one

thanks for the info

olddawg · #10 09.22.12, 12:23 PM

If it is to high because of a set up issue, you need to adjust the claw spring tension. There are several ways to do this. You can add a spring, you can use different springs, you can shorten or lengthen the anchor screws, etc. Be aware that you will have to do a complete setup after messing with the claw because it affects everything. If the bar is just sloppy in the hole, use the SVR technique. Remove a cotton end from a Qtip and wrap it around the bar threads before you screw it in. Works like a charm.

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