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Post subject: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 2:29 pm
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Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:52 pm
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Hi folks,

Just after some advice on this I've recently inherited, sn E710844. 22 Frets, Kahler trem.

I'd love to it setup with the tremelo working properly. Can anyone give me advice on the best way to go? Would it be worth pursuing or just investing in a new one.

Noticed a fine tuner has snapped off the high e string, can you tell me how I could replace it, is it something I could do myself? Would the whole unit need replacing?

I only know what I've googled, found it quite hard to find any info.

Any advice much appreciated.....sorry about the dark photos, hopefully their clear enough....

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Post subject: Re: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 4:37 pm
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Roadie
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Joined: Wed Apr 02, 2014 2:32 pm
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Location: Rossendale, UK
Getting parts for that Kahler trem will not be easy.
That trem unit looks like it was developed for Fender guitars, and parts will be about as rare as rocking horse droppings.

It might be a good idea to fit a different trem unit ....

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Post subject: Re: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2014 7:22 pm
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Joined: Fri Oct 10, 2008 6:45 pm
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Location: Kansas
While that trem wasn't built for Fender, it has been out of production for quite a while. That is the 2500 Traditional Series (I think it was the 2550 model) tremolo. It was sold as an aftermarket part, and when Fender started having issues with the System 1 trem they switched over to these Kahlers - but they still continued to use the System 1 string lock (which was made by Schaller).

You might try the wammiworld.com site - but the site has always had a lot of hacks, viruses, etc. so make sure you're antivirus is up to date before you go there. You could also contact Kahler directly, but I believe they are only building their cam-action trems these days.


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Post subject: Re: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Sat Dec 13, 2014 12:29 pm
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Rock Star
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Joined: Tue Jul 17, 2007 1:53 am
Posts: 4241
These guitars with that Kahler are quite rare, so IMHO do not replace the trem with some other. And if you do, at least choose a model that fits in without big modifications (although that may be impossible) and keep all original parts.

If the only replacement parts you need are the fine tuner knob and lever, it should not be too big a repair.
The wammiworld.com nowadays has a Norton protection logo on their pages (I've no idea if that helps, but my computer gave no alerts), so here's a link to the install and adjustment manual: Kahler Traditional series and another to the spare parts page: 25XX series parts

And some user info here: Kahler 2500 problems


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Post subject: Re: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 2:15 am
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Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:52 pm
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Thanks for the replies, really appreciate it.

I'll try and source some parts for it and see how it goes.


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Post subject: Re: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Fri Dec 19, 2014 11:09 am
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Joined: Wed Apr 16, 2014 2:28 pm
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Hello,
I have a similar guitar in 3Tsunburst, I eventually replaced the Kahler with a fender tremolo, the one mounted in the American standard since 2008. I Just had to remove the old bushings in the body, fit in the new bushings of the fender tremolo, screw in the 2 pivots and that was all. The tremolo is perfectly aligned to the pick guard and there was no need to route anything in the body.
FWIW the guitar now sounds much better,alive, sustained than before, and it was already a good player!
Alberto


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Post subject: Re: 1987 MIJ Strat with Kahler trem - advice needed
Posted: Wed Mar 09, 2016 11:07 am
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Joined: Tue Dec 09, 2014 1:52 pm
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Hello,

I've eventually managed to get my strat fixed up:

replaced pick ups with seymour duncans, jb jr, vintage rails and cool rails.
rebuilt tremelo replaced missing fine tuner
replaced jack
Cleaned up frets, although there is fret wear.

Love this guitar, sounds and plays incredible, I'm very pleased with it.

What do you think?

How much do you think its worth?

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