I put some fresh tape around the threads of my 2009 HWY 1 trem bar to keep it jiggle free during use, screwed it into the block, found close to bottom, backed it off a bit, and...snap. Done.

Of course, I can tap-out the threaded portion and put the bar back in, or I can run out and get another stock block, but I don't want to go through the same dilemma again *and* have a jiggle free wiggle stick on a functional trem.

Two questions:

1. What do you think is the best aftermarket replacement trem system for the stock trem system on the HWY 1?

2. Fender, is there a better designed Fender brand block or drop-in trem system that fits the HWY 1 Strat?

In adavance, thank you for your assistance!

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

broke my d!ck coach...
you may want to toake it to a machine shop, theyll be able to machine it out.
or go callaham, or even GFS

_________________
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

Must have been the wrong "tape". Try a few (3) wraps with Plumbers Teflon tape next time. It does not take much. You also should put the spring in the hole first. Makes things just right.

I have a Callaham in my Hwy 1 and I love it. Your trem arm won't wiggle plus it's a pop in trem block. Plus IMHO will improve the tone of a great guitar.

I'm gonna remove the broken piece myself to keep the original block with the guitar.

I'm definiately considering Callaham.

I've got a GHS steel block but it's not level, you can see light through the contact point -- junk.



I tried plumber's tape first but it never really worked. It would wear out quickly. Permacel fabric tape worked best.

The jiggling started when, unbeknownst to me, the spring fell out a few weeks after I got it and I turned the bar too far and then the jiggle process started...but it worked fine until the spring fell out.

Minnesotastrats, I'm definiately considering Callaham.

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

2 wraps of this and one of these and no issues with mine. You can buy both for under $10 and it could have saved lots of money.

If you are planning to buy a replacement tremolo, I also agree that Callaham makes an excellent after-market part.

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

I purchased a box of springs right after I discovered that the spring popped out and was nowhere to be found, and I had the plumber's tape on hand from my Floyd Rose liscenesed and Squier experiences. Once I turned the bar in without the spring in, it was over -- two wraps didn't cut it. Apparently, the threads got munched pretty good.

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

cool, you could get a replacement wammy bar at your local gc
i wonder if you could super glue one end of the spring inside the block.

_________________
"Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present."

oogway, kungfu panda 2008

GC is right down the block!



...hind sight is always 20/20!

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

If your always screwing your bar in and out - yes the tape is shot after each use. Holding the spring in place - either bend the spring in the middle a bit - best, as some had suggested in another thread use a bit of Vaseline on the end to hold it in - ?.

I bend mine - if you need to take it out use a paperclip with a tiny bend in the end to hook the spring.

If you dives are that energetic you need a better bridge or a real shredders rig.

I had no problems with slop and taking the bar in and out until the spring popped out and I munched the block.

Now I know, make sure the spring is in the block b-fore putting the bar in the block!

The workaround sounds good. But, unless another option comes along from Fender or somebody else has some experience with another brand bridge, the Callaham block/bridge sounds like the best option -- I've been aas'n (accessorie accusition syndrome) for a Callaham bridge for a while now.

I like simple, no fuss -- screw bar in, go to work!

I've got shredder's rigs, but...when the vintage trem is setup right, it works too, and when ur smokin' hot and want to pull off some stuff that's flowing...no sense changing guitars if I can yank it out of the strat!

If I sound snotty, sorry, I'm tired, long day...I feel like I'm sounding snotty.

Thanks for the replies thus far everybody, keep um' commin'. I'll order something on Monday or Tuesday!

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

Two questions about the Callaham:

1. Is the full Callaham bridge assembly lighter or heavier than the Hwy 1 bridge assembly?

2. Who's had all three bars, which one do you like, and why???

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

Welp, it don't look like I'll be snappin' a wiggle stick off in my Hwy 1 anytime soon. I just ordered the Callaham V/N Model Strat Bridge w/ a "64" bar and a few extra screws so I can get a nice, clean saddle surface! This is gonna be sweet -- I can feel it in my bones!

The nice lady said it will go out tomorrow morning!

I'll post an update a few weeks after I've used it!

Thanks again for your replies everybody!

Happy Monday!!!

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover

Good choice IMHO. The Callaham is heavier, but you probaly won't notice when you're playing. The '64 tremolo bar is the right choice . The longer one is the same length as a fender arm. The short Gilmore arm looks cooler but the '64 is better. I have both and a regular am std arm fits also. I have Callaham's in a hwy 1 strat and a mim strat and will put one in the new black paisley strat I just ordered.

Nice!

How did the Callaham effect the sound and feel of your Hwy 1?

_________________
"The individual is handicapped by coming face to face with a Conspiracy so monstrous he cannot believe it exists. The American mind simply has not come to a realization of the evil which has been introduced into our midst." J. Edgar Hoover