I just installed my trem arm for the first time(after 20 months). How far or how long do you screw it in? I can't see any threads, but it still turns. Should it tighten down or what? Help please.

Keep turning until it stops but don't force or over tighten then back it off 1 turn that should work.Or you could install one of the little springs that goes into the screw hole to prevent over-tightening,you can pick up a little bag of 10 or so for a couple of bucks at most guitar stores.

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Thanks very much! It's supposed to have a spring already, but who knows.

They are very easily lost... Fender really should come up with something better than a sticker to keep them in...

I would definitely recommend getting the spring... my 90's Strat Plus didn't have one when I got it (used).. I never got on with the trem, but after I realized it should have a spring I bought and fitted one and it's much much better. If you don't have a guitar store handy, try eBay.

Also, you can keep your trem arm fitted - the case is designed to allow room for it, angled up across bridge

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Personally I don't use the springs myself...especially right now where I'm going to practices at least once a week, I'd be loosing the damn things all the time anyways because I have to take my trem arm off every time I put the guitar in the case! LOL!!!

Not saying this is right for the OP but personally I do what slinger there recommended...I just screw it in until I can feel it just hit bottom and then back it off a turn or two. Actually I prefer my trem arm to "swing" anyways. I don't use it a lot and certainly not on every tune so this way I can just grab it when I need it without it being in the way all the time.

Peace,
Jim

What are the actual consequenses of over-tightening it? Because in the beginning I'm must sure that I did with mine, as I screwed it tight to the bottom and then didn't back it off. Now it can suddenly turn half a swing extra.

Just to reiterate... if you've got a proper Fender hardshell case you DON'T have to take the arm off to put it in the case. I always used to take my trem arm off, but then read that the case was designed to fit with it on, I fitted the spring and haven't removed the arm since! Much easier, just swig the arm up across the strings when you put it in the case and its fine.

PS: to OP - tremOlo!

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As with any "screw in device" you risk stripping the threads either on the arm or in the trem block. A stripped arm isn't really a big deal...you can usually get a replacement for only a couple of bucks however a stripped block tends to run between $20 and $50 depending on what you're looking for and is a little more difficult to replace depending on your level of experience (which since you're asking the question, I'll assume isn't much).

That said, a little "extra swing" isn't really a big deal as long as the arm still threads in and out. Nothing I'd panic over. Just be a little careful when you thread it in from now on.

Peace,
Jim

I have a Fender molded hardshell that I got with my '96 MIM and no...the case will -NOT- close with the trem arm on...the arm has to be removed. Maybe the newer cases are different...can't really say as all my newer cases are generic but it just doesn't work with my older Fender case.

Jim

Although some Fender manuals suggest that you can put the guitar in the case with the arm in place you should NEVER do this as if the case gets dropped upside down the arm is the first thing to take the impact and will most likely crack off.I found this out the hard way with a 78 l/h Strat and had to replace the whole block and arm as it couldn't be drilled out,a VERY expensive lesson.This could be even more risky with a gig bag and I'd rather have to replace a lost spring than a vibrato assembly.

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'65 Strat,65 Mustang,65 Jaguar,4 more Strats,3 vintage Vox guitars,5 Vox amps,'69 Bassman with a '68 2-15 Bassman cab,36 guitars total-15asst'd amps total,2 vintage '60s Hammond organs & a myriad of effects-with a few rare vintage ones.

I own a 1957 vintage Strat and the same hard shell case the original came with. It took me 20 months to find the half inch metallic silver stickers(which match the original exactly, btw). My baby gets only the best-no tape, no open hole, no lost spring, etc. I never considered leaving the arm on in the case. I played the tremolo(thank you grammar/spelling police), and it sounds great. I won't use it much, but I have 1000 silver stickers to cover the hole when I do. BTW, I am a rookie. Never played any instument before. But I'm damn good on this. I just don't know the dos and don'ts, and I sure as hell ain't gonna ruin my guitar!!!

Thanks for all the responses.

There was a discussion about the trem arm in another forum and we talked about the fact that Fender should design a stylish pop in plug to put in the trem hole. I dont want to tape up my guitar so removed the spring