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Post subject: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 3:40 am
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I find the tremolo bar to be further away from the strings than I'd like. I'd like to play with more trem ala Jeff Beck (it works better for playing surf music also) but I have to lift my pick off the strings, and stop playing, to use the trem. I think the solution would be an arm that's angled closer to the strings (or a shorter end that screws into the bridge). I've looked at all the major music sites and eBay and can't find one like that. Any suggestions?


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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:10 am
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Rock Star
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You can order a custom made arm, check e.g. Callaham

Or go old school: bend the trem arm to a shape you like. Attach a suitable diameter piece of pipe to a vice (some use a hinge...) so it's easier. Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if you scratch or break the trem arm 8)

Or cut the threaded end shorter, rethread if needed.


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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:17 am
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Rock Star
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jmattis wrote:
You can order a custom made arm, check e.g. Callaham

Or go old school: bend the trem arm to a shape you like. Attach a suitable diameter piece of pipe to a vice (some use a hinge...) so it's easier. Disclaimer: I take no responsibility if you scratch or break the trem arm 8)

Or cut the threaded end shorter, rethread if needed.


IMO, Callaham stuff is grossly overpriced. These other two remedies say it all.

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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:42 am
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jmattis wrote:

Or cut the threaded end shorter, rethread if needed.


I'm probably not skilled enough, or have the right tools for this. But I can bend stuff...and maybe break it.

I should probably take it out of the strat before I attempt a bend? :twisted:


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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 4:50 am
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I believe most local workshops that deal with metal could help you with cutting/rethreading for a nominal fee. (For once, this job doesn't require a luthier - although choosing one would be recommendable).

As for taking the trem arm out: well, I certainly wouldn't recommend keeping it in and stomping on the guitar, but at your own risk anything goes, see the disclaimer above... 8)


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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:11 am
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lungfruit wrote:
...I should probably take it out of the strat before I attempt a bend? :twisted:


Absolutely. You'll stretch and deform the block hole and threads otherwise.

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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 5:27 am
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Roadie
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Put the arm in a vice and bend it.
Don't try to bend the arm while it's still in the tremolo block - you'll knacker the block up!

I like the standard arm shape best, and don't have to do anything special with it.
The pop in arm on my Am Deluxe sits too close to the strings for my liking, so that was bent to a shape where the end is around about the same position as a standard arm would be.
At the end of the day you're talking personal preference.

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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Sep 20, 2014 7:10 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Bend the arm slowly or you may crack and flake the chrome finish. A small amount of heat would be nice to have to help the metal but it is not necessasy if you take it easy.


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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 2:29 pm
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So I bought a Fender tremolo arm and slowly bent it by hand. The finish didn't crack. The thing is that if it is bent too much, you can't screw it into the bridge because of the angle of the hole. I got it to just scrape by the body without touching it. So it's closer to the strings and makes using it alot easier.


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Post subject: Re: tremolo arm closer to strings
Posted: Sat Oct 04, 2014 3:49 pm
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Aspiring Musician
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Glad to hear it worked out well.


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