I purchased a MIM wine red satin the other day and when I went to put a tremolo spring in, it fell into the cavity. Is there some short of plug missing in the block. I haven't experienced this with my other strats.

I have never had a mexican strat, but every other strat I have had has never had the hole go completely through the block that just sounds odd to me. take the arm out and shine a flashlight through the back string holes and see if you can see light in the trem arm hole or poke a guitar string through it. I guess its possible the machine drilling the block got a little carried away
if it does go all the way through you can tap the hole and put a short bolt in it. definitely magnetize the bolt first that way the spring doesn't fall out any more.

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Hi tvr1979,

Most Mex and other import Strats do not have the trem hole spring in the block to begin with, as the block in those models is not designed for a spring. Many of these blocks are a very soft "metal" that can't support the pressure of a spring in the block. I've tried putting a spring on a few guitars with the cheaper blocks and had the spring push right through and out the bottom of the block. You really need an upgrade block to add a spring. And, in fact, get a Callaham block and you won't need a spring anymore, as they use an insert in the hole for trem arm positioning. Much better (tighter) feel on the arm in the Callaham block, unlike the little bit of slop you get with whammy use with a Fender block.

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---> "The amp should be SWITCHED OFF AND UNPLUGGED before you do this!" <---

Por favor, disculpe mi español, no se llega a la práctica con mucha frecuencia.

Older MIMs did have trem arm holes that went all the way through. Through-holes are easier/cheaper to cast than closed-bottom holes.

I want to thank all 3 of you! All good info. A magnetized screw is a great idea for any Strat!

so far a thin neodymium magnet stuck with some superglue to the claw side of the block rite next to the spring does a great job of keeping it in check.

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