OK, Group. Does the MIM Strat get the little spring in the trem block under the trem arm. Y/N? I have a MIM with an Am Std spring jammed down in there. Do I need to get that out? If so, how? These trem arm springs are often discussed with no real resolve. If it needs to come out I hope Home Depot has the tool. I spend a lot of time on whammy bars I never use. I would just like to get this MIM into original specs. I drive them stock.

The MIM standard does not come with the little spring in the arm hole. The threads on the MIM and MIA arms are different.
You may need to cut the arm and use an easy-out from the hardware store to get the stub from the hole.
Chances are the threads in the block are ruined. You can try to retap it with the same threads for another arm or just pick up another block (stock Fender MIM, Callaham, etc).

Rob: Just the spring is stuck down in the block hole.

Theres no reason that you cant use the spring in the same way you use it on a AMSTD bridge. Dont use the AMSTD arm though.

I'd reconsider using the spring. Its said to be detrimental to the tremblock because it forces the arm against the threads. Makes sense to me.

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No no and no

My bad.... when I read that, I thought the arm was stuck.

As to the spring, maybe using a set of split ring needle-nose pliers or dental pick.

Yeah, I'd thought about getting some picking tools from Home Depot.

Pick away. The dental pick will get that puppy out. Mike

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