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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:03 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
First I unscrewed it, then I put it in a drawer somewhere, then I hardtailed the guitar. Works a lot better now.


The anti-trem sentiment here is unbelievable. Where does this come from, this hatred of string bending?

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:05 pm
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guitslinger wrote:
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.


That's really good advice. Once it's in the vice, how do make the bend?

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:05 pm
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chrisconsin wrote:
GilgaFrank wrote:
First I unscrewed it, then I put it in a drawer somewhere, then I hardtailed the guitar. Works a lot better now.


The anti-trem sentiment here is unbelievable. Where does this come from, this hatred of string bending?


String bending? I love string bending. I just use my fingers to do it.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:07 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
chrisconsin wrote:
GilgaFrank wrote:
First I unscrewed it, then I put it in a drawer somewhere, then I hardtailed the guitar. Works a lot better now.


The anti-trem sentiment here is unbelievable. Where does this come from, this hatred of string bending?


String bending? I love string bending. I just use my fingers to do it.


You see no added value in a trem bar? NONE!?

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:12 pm
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chrisconsin wrote:
You see no added value in a trem bar? NONE!?


I actually see a considerable disadvantage to trems and I hardtail all my Strats. I like to bend one or two strings up while holding one or two strings at pitch. Try this on a non-hardtail guitar and the non-bent strings just go flat.


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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:21 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
chrisconsin wrote:
You see no added value in a trem bar? NONE!?


I actually see a considerable disadvantage to trems and I hardtail all my Strats. I like to bend one or two strings up while holding one or two strings at pitch. Try this on a non-hardtail guitar and the non-bent strings just go flat.



Son-of-a-bee-sting, you're right. Would adding spring solve for some of that?

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:29 pm
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chrisconsin wrote:
GilgaFrank wrote:
Son-of-a-bee-sting, you're right. Would adding spring solve for some of that?


Tried that, the bridge just won't stay still unless it's got 5 springs and the claw screwed in. I play 10 or 11 gauge strings and when you push those up a tone and a half the bridge starts to move and the tuning's gone immediately.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:30 pm
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chrisconsin wrote:

You see no added value in a trem bar? NONE!?




I see tons of value. I just can't use them properly.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:31 pm
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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Sun Jun 16, 2013 8:49 pm
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Hi Chrisconsin,the arms are malleable enough to bend by hand or if you want to bend the bar at a more difficult part,just slide a 1' length of 1/2" pipe over it to the point where you want the bend and just use the pipe as a lever,but put tape or something around the arm to keep it from getting scratched up.

BTW: With regard to 2 string unison bends,you can do them without the other strings going flat by decking your bridge plate and using all the springs and at the proper tension.The tension of the springs is the most important thing when doing this,it takes a bit of trial and error.Once you have the bridge plate decked keep on trying bends and if the others still go flat when bending one or 2 others,just loosen the strings and turn the spring retaining screws a couple of turns then bring the guitar up to proper pitch again. It's a tedious time consuming process but when you are finished you will be able to do the deepest Jimi Hendrix Buddy Guy type deep bends without the other strings wavering the slightest bit.I am an absolute Hendrix freak and that the system that I use on all my Strats and I never have any problems with it.It would be very hard if not impossible to do this with a floating bridge though-the bridge definitely has to be decked for this to work.I use Rev. Willie's Mexican Lottery .007-.038 strings too,which makes a huge difference and also allows for incredible bending without impacting on other strings.

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Post subject: Re: Methods to Modify Trem Bars
Posted: Mon Jun 17, 2013 4:15 am
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I've managed to acquire a pretty good selection of these through the years. Most of the good ones were made by a machinist friend of various specs.

I have a box of about 30 Trem Bars of all sizes, shapes, threads and materials.

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