Can the trem bar in the Eric Clapton Model Strat be unblocked? Can it be restored to full functionality?

I've never seen one up close with the guts open, but I don't see why not. Apparently EC uses a small piece of some insanely expensive wood imported from Lower Asscrackylvania to block his trem (it sounds better). If the model you've got is built to specs, it should just be blocked with a bit of wood.

sure it can. just remove the trem cavity cover on the back, ensure there are springs holding the trem in place, and if not, add some to prevent the trem jumping out of the body when you remove the piece of wood. remove the block of wood between the guitar and the trem block, set up the guitar again and bam, fully functional trem.

sure it can. just remove the trem cavity cover on the back, ensure there are springs holding the trem in place, and if not, add some to prevent the trem jumping out of the body when you remove the piece of wood. remove the block of wood between the guitar and the trem block, set up the guitar again and bam, fully functional trem.

This image ( found during a 2 min search on google) shows the trem cavity of "a" (possibly not the way its set up nowdays) clapton strat.

http://k53.pbase.com/u8/jroy/upload/1384680.ecback.jpg

note the small piece of wood between the trem block and the front of the guitar body, and also the use of 4 springs! once you remove the block of wood you will defo need to set up the guitar again.

All the info about how to do is in the book you should have got with your guitar

Thanks for the replies guys. I am planning to buy this model that's why I was asking around to make sure that I can restore it to function when and if I needed to. As jaiyenyen has suggested I should RTM. I went to this sites manual archives and found it at http://www.fender.com/support/instruments.php

The manual I found is an old archived one (circa 1988) http://www.fender.com/support/manuals/p ... r_1988.pdf.

It says Tremolo: Vintage (Hard-Tailed with a removable block).

The manual that comes with the latest EC model is a generic one and does not mention anything about any wood block or restoring the tremolo system to normal. http://www.fender.com/support/manuals/p ... es2003.pdf

Anyway, thanks.

Joe Bonamassa unblocked his Clapton strat

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http://www.fender.com/support/manuals/p ... r_1988.pdf.

The page this link took me to was far more interesting than the trem cavity of a Clapton Stratocaster. Thanks.

The block in my guitar is rectangular and 6.0 x 3.8 x 1cm which permits the bridge to be set flush. It can be removed at this gapping with a slight pull back on the trem block, but if you want the bridge to float, you'll need to reset the trem claw.

Why remove the block, It was designed to be played that way by the artist?

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