I am a bit confused about an American Deluxe HSS Strat that I just got. People at the store were confused that it didn't have a snap in tremolo; it was a screw in, instead. Eventually, someone came by with a screw in tremolo arm that fit and it works beautifully. But I'm still intrigued.

All the literature that I have found online says that it should be snap in. I'm wondering if someone has changed the bridge on this guitar or if it is an old model that they pushed on to me. I should be able to find out the year of manufacture by the serial number, but I haven't found an authoritative source to look up this info. Can anyone shed a light on this mystery?

You have buy a new guitar, not used one ?

Since 3 years I think, Fender return to a vintage brige / saddles. I know that the vintage tremolo arm is a screw not snap in.

You just had to look other Fender guitars in the store.

People at the strore were confused !!!! what kind of store is it ? pawn shop ? Or a very bad Fender dealer.

It was a pretty reputable store. What I mean by confused is the big issue here. First, they gave me the case with a screw in tremolo and the sales guy said, "wait, this is the wrong trem, let me get the right one for you; it should be a snap in". He came back with another screw in, different diameter screw. Then, the guitar went to the technician for set up, he looked at the term and said, "wait, this should be a snap in. Let me get the right one for you." He also came back with a screw in.

I saw on another on serial numbers that post-2010 Americqn Deluxes are numbered 10xxxxx, whic matches mine. The pickups are N3 Noiseless plus the humbucker, what matches post-2010 specs. The one odd point is this darned bridge. It was bought as a new guitar, came with all those plastic sticky covers on pickups and pickguard, but this bridge makes me suspicious.

Does it help if I post a picture of the bridge?

Sure pictures is a great help.

About the store guys. they said the guitar need a snap in tremolo arm and they came back with another screw arm. !!!!

Are they sleeping ?

A well reputable store !!!! Good luck

Odd. My AM Dlx HSS (2010) is snap in

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Am Deluxe Stratocaster HSS
Am Standard Stratocaster
Am Standard Telecaster
Blacktop Telecaster
Gretsch 6120

Pignose
Super Champ XD
60'sTwin Reverb

If it is an American Deluxe HSS it should have the pop in whammy and an LSR nut.
If it is a deluxe bridge you could take the back plate off and you should see two allen key adjustment screws on the trem block. Could it be another model or maybe the arm somehow fits but is not really correct? If it is new it should come with a hangtag and some info identifying it correctly. Hope this helps

There was a guy posting this morning that had a simular problem only the opposet direction. His was that he had a MIM strat with American parts right out of the box a fue years ago. Why couldent the mistake go eather direction. Could it be that you'v been ROOKED? lets hope not. Good Luck with your search.

As others have said please post a picture of the bridge.

Quick question - did you screw the arm in or just push it into the bridge? If the arm is the correct diameter a screw-in arm will fit in the hole on the American Deluxe trem but it won't go all the way in and snap in place.