so i got my strat about a year ago and the trem bar just never went in right. it screws in decent for a little bit then gets all messed up and crooked. i think the hole is misaligned or the threads are messed up or something. but any suggestions would help me out TONS.

if the internal thread hole is damaged, then it's time for a replacement bridge block. If you can, try it first with another trem arm if you can get hold of one.

Which model Strat? Some have a spring in there. You might have lost it. It's fairly common and easily replaced.

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Two knowledgeable replies nailed it.

yea its an american standard strat. any ideas on how much a new spring (or block wutever is wrong with it) would run me?

Check with whoever you bought the guitar from, hopefully a reputable dealer........may be under warranty

Springs are cheap. An authorized Fender dealer can provide for a couple of bucks. Blocks are more expensive. If you go for an after market model like a Callaham it will cost at least $50 as I recall. But a simple replacement from Fender should be cheaper. Ask at the store.

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I bought an EJ strat a few years back and love it. But I've never been a trem guy. My strat still has the silver sticker over the trem arm hole because I was told the spring could just fall out. Is this true? Am I ok to take the sticker off and not worry about the spring? I wouldn't mind playing around with the tremelo now and then, but the trem arm will be out most of the time.

Kevin,pull the sticker off,shake out the spring and keep it in the case with your trem arm when not in use.It's all good. Mike

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I guess I could do that ...thanks

I lost my spring when it popped out directly after I took off the trem arm. I know its somewhere in my room but the damn thing is so tiny and black. Probably bounced into some tight space that i can't see or reach... I still manage to use the trem arm okay though. Just have to get it on mildly tight or else it'll be loose and wobbly. Probably go buy myself another soon though.