Can someone please help me??!
I've got an American Deluxe Stratocaster (which is great btw).
But I'm having trouble installing the tremolo bar.
I'm pushing it in but it won't screw, and when I try to pull it out, I fell like I'm tearing out the tremolo bridge.

What am I doing wrong?

Thanks,
Amir

Have the same one. It doesn't "screw in" like the Americans, it just sort of pops in. Try using the heel of your hand, otherwise it may just be from a bad batch. Have your dealer call for a new one. Mine was a little tough to break in, but not that bad.

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2004 Strat deluxe sunburst
2005 Strat HSS deluxe

It takes 43 muscles to frown, and 22 to smile, but only 3 for the proper trigger squeeze.

me too, shirley, it should be that hard . . .

also note there is nothing in the manual . . .

cheers,

I was surprized at the resistance . . .
I did think it should just pop in . . .

I will try again . . .
it's a new guitar so I am being wee bit ginger . . .



many thanx mick

You could try loosening the grub screws on the tremblock a half turn. If you release the springs from the claw the trem will fall forwards and you will see the grub screw inbetween the tremplate and the body of the guitar. Detune your strings first too.

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No no and no

If you feel like doodling around with your guitar, there are a couple of allen screws on the block to adjust the tension of the arm popping in and out. This entails unstringing and taking the block out though, and if set too lose, your arm will swing where ever it likes.

Oops, someone else already suggested this.

For whatever it's worth everytime I get a new American Deluxe,I'm up to 3 now the trem bar is super hard to get in and out for the first 3 to 5 times and then it becomes more normal after that.Hope this helps.cheers

An aside...

My '08 seems to have a "two stage" trem arm. Pop it in to the first stage and it swings free. Push a little harder and it pops in a little further and works like a screw-in version with the spring compressed a bit. Stays put nicely no matter where you position it. Don't know if it's and adjustment, or if I just have an oddball tremolo.

By the way, my first post here. Howdy gang! :)

You'll be interested to know that my AmDlxVG came with a vintage trem handle in the parts bag. Dealer has to order one from Fender. That package must have been assembled on a Friday before a Monday holiday

With a little more time I'll give you my take on the guitar. Your initial inquiry about how it feels compared to a Custom Shop guitar. It's perfect for factory. Custom Shop guitars have a certain feel you can't describe. You just know they are different.

Doc

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"Another day in paradise!"

I"ve been told by a tech, that if you just push the trem bar, and make the back of the block go up......you can get to the adjustment screws.

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"I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to other people, and I require the same from them."-John Wayne

Dont call me shirley.

Jump over to the thread "Custom Shop Eric Clapton Strat" and read some of Mike Eldred's comments. That ought to bring you up to speed on your question.

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"Another day in paradise!"