So I was doing my best Hendrix impression and broke my whammy bar off inside the trem block...after a wee bit of searching around the forums here it seems as though the consensus opinion is to use a screw extraction kit.

The question though is...has anyone had success doing this?

Has anyone had success getting that broken off whammy bar out in any other fashion?

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

Hi nicholson: I was wondering the same thing, so when AndyBigHair broke his bar off and decided to replace the whole block I asked if I could have the old one to try the extraction technique on it. Next time I see him I'm hoping he'll hand it over - but as yet I haven't had a chance to give it a go. (I have bottles of nice things ready to hand him in return... )

So like you I'm curious to hear what people say: we've seen that method recommended so often someone out there must have actually done it. You'd think...

Cheers - C

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Yeah I saw that thread and another as well I think that was on the topic...I am likely to work on it over the holiday season when I have a few minutes. Got to get to Home Depot tomorrow for an extractor kit. I will let you know the results.

The pending dismantlement has finally inspired me to put the last touch on the custom Partscaster...some vintage pickups, so I have some work to do.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

Seems to me that if you are going to try and use an Easy Out, since you have to drill into the broken piece, the safest way to do it would be to remove the trem assembly from the guiatr and place the block in a vise to hold it securely. Sure don't want to slip with the drill and put a gouge in your nice guitar body. If you are going to go to that much trouble, it would seem to be easiest to just replace the entire block. The trem arm has to be replaced anyway. Now, if you are dealing with an original, vintage block or one of those hyper expensive titanium blocks, an Easy Out might be more cost effective.

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Bill

Which adds to the cost of the repair (no one does anything for free these days) making block replacement even more cost effective.

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Bill

Well the plan was to definitely take out the whole trem and then the block, once I can do that then I will get a better look at it.

I am assuming that nothing will be protruding, if I can get it with some pliers even better. If I can get the bolt out and not need to replace the block, then I just have to replace the bar. I see no reason to just replace the whole block, when I could just replace the bar.

If I need to replace the block, then so be it.

I figure the screw extractor kit, $4.99, could be a good investment in case I break off any more screws in anything and add it to the tool room.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

Hi again nicholson: if you do it, would you take some photos of your progess, please? Then I believe you might be the first person on this Forum to actually perform this surgery, rather than merely recommend it to others. A small but worthwhile feather in your cap.

Good luck - C

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I discovered a bit of a hitch in the plan...visited 3 hardware stores today and none had a bit small enough. The smallest one was borderline and about the same diameter as the tremelo bar. That would mean that ot was essentially drilling our the bolt and I suspect destrolying the threads as well.

This is perhaps why there have been no reported successful surgeries reported here in the Forums.

Next step, replace the whole block.

I was looking at replacments on Guitarfetish.com for in the 25$ range so not too bad.

Since I am placing an order, I may look at trying some of their pickups as well. I always wanted a nice set of vintage sounding noiseless pickups for this guitar when I built it anyway.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE

Before doing anything see how loose the remaining threaded portion is in the block. I posted about the same problem with my brother's guitar. Was going to look at which of the recommended surgical methods was going to work. Turns out he was able to remove the reaming piece using the tip of a compass.
Good Luck

Hi guys,

Two ideas that I got after reading and thinking about this for a couple of minutes:

1. If there are small enough drills available, drill 2-3 small holes next to each other, stick a screwdriver of appropriate size in the newly created screw-head and unscrew.

2. Drill a hole in the middle, possibly in a small angle (not sure), take a piece of metal / old small screwdriver and stick it into the whole together with J-B Weld or even some kind of fantastic glue, let it harden and unscrew gently.

/ J

#1 - Hardened steel and small drill bits are not a good match.

#2 - As small as the space is that you are working in, you will probably just end up glueing everything together.

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Bill

I agree that #1 is probably impossible. Maybe with an engraving tip?

On #2, I disagree that gluing everything together would be the issue. I think that'd take a proper clumsy fingerist. And since we are on a guitar forum, I was expecting a little finger dexterity.

Well, give it a try and let us know how it works.

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Bill

I think the short term solution, since the Mrs. has been on me lately, might be to throw a fifth spring on for a while since I really don't actually use it much, which is hard believe since it somehow broke off. Then there will always be a story to go along with her.

Maybe in the spring when the Mrs is a little more open to it, i'll do the overhaul it really needs.

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CREDO ELVEM IPSUM ETAIM VIVERE