I have a MIJ Contemporary Strat (mid 80s) with a System II trem.

It has an Allen screw right beside the body's end strap peg to adjust the tension on the trem bridge spring:

http://i13.ebayimg.com/04/s/000/77/3c/e94c_2.JPG

Trouble is, the allen screw is stripped! Argh! Impossible to adjust it!

1/ Does anyone know the best way to safely disassemble this thing to get it out?

2/ Is the Allen screw component even replaceable / repairable?

3/ Has anyone ever completely and easily replaced the System II trem/vibrato with something aftermarket (even a hardtail)?

Any suggestions or ideas would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!!!

Sell me your Tremelo arm and then you wont have to worry about it!!

What you could do is try and cut a slot into the allen screw. That way you could use a normal flat headed screwdriver to adjust it. If it is the allen/hex hole that has rounded.

To get the thing out enough to do that is going to be a game. You may want to try a slightly oversized Torx bit into the allen hole. Or even the nearest imperial allen key that is oversized (presuming your Japanese guitar uses metric sizes).

Stewmac's stripped truss nut removal tool may be worth a look too. Best find someone who has one.

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No no and no

Actually, if it's just the tremolo arm this guy has conversions:

http://www.fretsonthenet.com/Tremolobar ... onversions

YMMV

It's stripped, but not so badly that I can't turn it with an oversized Torx. I have no idea how the things disassembles. One I get it out (it is flush) I could hacksaw in a slot, I like that idea. Or possible get a machinist to do something fancier.

Thanks for the idea! I wish there were enough of these out there to generate third-party replacement options.

Unfortunately I have no experience of that trem setup. I do agree with the sentiment of your post though. Theres far too many great designs fallen by the wayside because they were not popular enough. Despite being more than well functioning.

You may want to get a machinist to cut the slot for you, just to make sure you get a good well functioning screw/nut. You could even cross it with another slot like the old heel end truss rod adjusters. That way should something go wrong with one slot, you'll always have the other to fall back on.

Better yet, remove the thing and try and find a source of replacement nuts/screws.

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No no and no

just replace the screw. no need to customize it if its replaceable.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

1 you can make a screw slot in a second with a dremel tool. two if its a allen screw its defenitly replaceable 3 im a machinist in case theres any question.. 4 yiu could use a small easy out to grab it as well if theres a way to release spring pressure on the other end it should back out easily.

Once you find something you can turn it with, loosen the strings, turn the adjuster screw and watch for the bridge to raise (as it would if you were pushing down on the trem bar). continue backing off the tension. Remove the pick guard and you will see how the system is assembled. You should then be able to figure out how to disassemble it. It isn't difficult, but it is a DIFFERENT unit than most. You'll have to remove one screw that holds a bracket used to anchor and support the other end of the adjuster screw. Incidently, the adjuster screw is a foot or more long, has a long, threaded portion that another block rides on. This block holds one end of the springs. The floating piece of the bridge holds the other end of the springs. When you have things properly loosened and or removed, the adjuster screw simply slides out (toward the end of the guitar you adjust it from). Modify it accordingly and reassemble.