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Post subject: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:10 am
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Hey friends, what works? What do your modified trem bars look like? How did you modify them?

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:15 am
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Be specific?

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:18 am
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Well, here's my beef with my current bar on my SRV strat:

Sits too high. I accidentally wrenched it a little too deep. Now it wiggles.
It's too long. I can see why Gilmore shortened his.

I do like the reverse trem quite a bit, but the bar itself makes it tough to use. I always feel like I have to really wrench may hand while strumming to make it work.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:19 am
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You can search ebay for shortened bars. Keep the original one to preserve the value of the guitar.

Or eliminate the problem and join the hardtail master race.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:29 am
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Join or die, eh?

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Before the adult world strings you up and skins your skinny bones clean to the bone."

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:32 am
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Yes.

But it's not worth the trouble to modify your own bar. It's just more worth it to get one that's shortened/offset/whatever match your needs, and just keep the original.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:34 am
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The worst part would be slipping the plastic tip back on/getting it off in the first place.

Then you'd have to cut it/bend it until you're satisfied, then it may not sit on the guitar well, so you have to re cut/bend it and you never feel right ever again.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:48 am
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That makes good sense. It's not worth it to me to ruin stuff, as ruining stuff is what I'm good at.

Thinking of adding another two springs to firm it up a bit.

I think I need to buy a really cheap guitar that I can learn to wrench on.

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Before the adult world strings you up and skins your skinny bones clean to the bone."

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:50 am
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Get a MIM standard or a Squier and modify the hell out of it.

Or straight up buy parts and put together a custom guitar.

That's all my Telecaster is.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 11:58 am
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That's a really good idea. Only two issues:

1. I used to work HVAC at night for some extra cash. My best friend taught me pretty much everything I know mechanically and let me work with his company. On my first call out with him, I was trying to take a flame sensor off a unit and couldn't get the screw to budge. My buddy was talking to the customer, looked over and said "you need any help?" and I said "no, I got it." After ten minutes he walked over, turned it the other way, and off it came. Let's just say there's a reason I work in higher ed and teach.

2. I'm almost married. I didn't realize buying the guitar I wanted meant never buying anything ever again.

I've been look at Craigs List for stuff to work on. I've burned myself enough time trying to work on copper.

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And if you wanna have it all, you've gotta let it all go.
Before the adult world strings you up and skins your skinny bones clean to the bone."

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:03 pm
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Well, I'm only 17, but I've built/fixed and sold/gotten rid of a few already.

I can't offer any advice, because I'm the "solder it in different places until it works" kind of builder.

I just got nice parts for cheap and make a strong axe.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:11 pm
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I wish I had learned this stuff when I was younger.

You're smart, man. And get it. Trial and error is the way to go.

I tried learning a few tricks from the local shop but no one is anxious to teach as much. There's a fair chance I'll burn something down by accident.

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"Restless soul, this place will never be your home.
And if you wanna have it all, you've gotta let it all go.
Before the adult world strings you up and skins your skinny bones clean to the bone."

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 12:16 pm
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I tried to solder my soldering iron to fix it.

I used a 1950s/60s one I found in my shed.

The whole heating element and top half broke off one day while it was still hot too.

I took it, filled the bottom of the heating element with solder bits, then plugged it in and let it sit. It exploded on me.

It was totally awesome, the burns and temporary blindness were totally worth it.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:30 pm
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First I unscrewed it, then I put it in a drawer somewhere, then I hardtailed the guitar. Works a lot better now.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 7:52 pm
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I always mod my Strat vibrato arms because right out of the box they don't allow me to dive as deeply as I like to. I always wrap them in a thick cloth,to prevent them from getting marked up and then clamp them in a vice,first making sure that I have it oriented the right way for the bend that I need.I only bend it a little bit at a time because overbending it and then having to bend it back to where it was,weakens the metal.When I have the desired angle I just screw it back into the guitar.I never use backward bends so I always have the tailpiece decked and when a backwards bend is needed I just do above the nut bending.

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