I have a 2006 American Deluxe, ash Strat. Great guitar in every way.
The guitar is 18 months old and the arm on the trem started falling out. It now falls out while I'm playing. It seems that the groove on the arm is not catching the clip inside the hole in the bridge.

Is anyone else having this problem? Is this still under warranty?
Thanks.

Is your trem arm the "pop in" type rather than the traditional screw in?If it is so i believe you need to press a lil harder till the arm pops into place.There was a similar topic where a member had the same problem as you are now and he somehow tried a lil harder and mange to insert the arm.
I experience the same thing too with my deluxe....the initial was very tough and stiff to pop it in....

Here's the topic->CLICK ME!

_________________
My Guitars :: My Rig

I had the problem of the arm being too loose and spinning round on my pop in system. So i removed the trem and tightened the 2 allen screws in the side of the block.
Could it be possible that the bottom screw is pushing the groove of the arm away from the blade which retains the trem. You could try loosening that bottom screw a little or tightening the top one of those two screws. I adjusted mine with the arm in to get it whe way i want it. Maybe that method could help you too.

_________________
No no and no

Thanks "belphedeus". It's not a matter of pushing it in harder because it's been fine up till just a month ago. I'm quite familiar with the technique. Your link to the similar post was great. It helps confirm what "nikininja" is suggesting.

I will try to adjust the two screws. I took off the back cover and now see where they are. It looks too tight to get the wrench in there. I guess I have to take the bridge off, which sucks. I switched to a heavier set of strings and don't have a back up in the house right now, so I'll wait till I pick up another set before I take it apart.

Thanks again for the help guys.

Loosen the strings and put a capo on the 1st fret. The strings dont have to come off then. Dont mess with the pivotpost screws either. Just detune the guitar by loads, capo it, remove the springs round the back and it should come away with a bit of manipulation. To re-fit it just reverse the procedure.

_________________
No no and no

Thanks ninja.
So what you're saying is that it's the tension springs in the back that hold the bridge on?

Actually, since I have locking tuners, I guess I won't lose the strings. And the capo will keep them in the nut. I just need to loosen enough so I have enough slack to do the task.

Is this correct?

Thats about the size of it mate. The trem stays in place because of string and spring tension. Dont force the bridge off the posts though it could do irrepairable damage. If your locking tuners have a minimum of wind then your going to have to undo the strings completely.

_________________
No no and no

I have an American Deluxe with the pop in bar. I haven't actually done this (haven't needed to), but I once had a tech show me the adjustment screws on theback of the trem block. You don't need to take the whole thing apart, or approach the screws from the back plate (where the springs are). Just put pressure on the trem bar (as if using it, while playing), which will raise the back end of the block, and you'll see the adjustment screws, that tighten, and loosen, to hold in the trem bar in place.

_________________
"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Thanks Ninja. I'm totally squared away. It was easy to take apart and all it needed was to slightly loosen the bottom screw. I'm back in business!

Keep rockin' in the UK!