ok - can't find the whammy bar for my 09 mim strat. i know fender makes them, but does anyone else? maybe there's a cool design i haven't seen yet

OK - There are several aftermarket manufacturers who put their name on them such as but not limited to, All Parts, WD, etc. Regardless, I highly suspect they all come from the same Asian wholesaler any way.

You're best bet is to take your guitar to a music store which would have a decent selection of wang bars on their parts wall and/or in a parts drawer and match one up to your guitar. Aside from this, is you want to pay as much as you would for a boutique pickup, you can get and American made one from Callaham or the like.

As always, this is merely IMO where YMMV.

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