Tremolo Help Needed

[Butch Snyder]

I have a guitar and I need some help with them trem. It's a Schecter two-point vintage style. The trem arm just fits in the slot and you tighten it down with an allen screw. My PRS trem system is much better because when you slide the arm into the slot, there is a sleeve that holds hit in place. The sleeve doesn't move when you rotate the arm around. The Schecter's trem doesn't have a sleeve, so the allen screw is directly against the trem arm. When you rotate the arm, the allen screw is digging a groove, so as I use the arm, it gets loose.

Anyone have any ideas as to how I can keep the arm snug without it loosening up?

 

[Chistopher]

If you can't find a cheap solution, a Callahan trem block might be a worthwhile investment. It's a sleeve with a little bit of thread at the bottom if you are afraid of the bar falling out

 

[beaubrummels]

You could glue/cement/attach some kind of plastic/rubber bumper onto the allen screw tip so it's a soft friction system, not metal to metal. Or maybe wrap the vibrato arm with plumber's tape or something else that the screw doesn't go through as easily.

 

[Coma]

OP, I think I might know what you're dealing with. Could you post some pictures?

 

[JamesPaul]

You could glue/cement/attach some kind of plastic/rubber bumper onto the allen screw tip so it's a soft friction system, not metal to metal. Or maybe wrap the vibrato arm with plumber's tape or something else that the screw doesn't go through as easily.

There are nylon screws. Relatively special purpose and expensive, but they would likely be available in whatever size is required. I have not used many since the 80's, so there are also likely longer lasting material versions available today.

 

[Artie]

Could you use something like a Dremel to grind a shallow groove all around the proper line on the trem arm? Then do a drop of Locktite on the set screw and turn it in until just before it touches the arm?

 

[Aceman]

Never heard of this. Sounds like it was meant to put the Trem in a position and leave/hold it there. Interesting. I don't like bars that flop around, but I like to move them...

 

[Butch Snyder]

OP, I think I might know what you're dealing with. Could you post some pictures?

Here you go. I even put superglue in the allen screw cavity thinking the screw was loosening on its own. I think it's just digging a groove into the arm.

 

[idsnowdog]

I have seen a socket before that has a ball and spring. When you plug the arm in, the ball fits into a notch on the arm.

 

[Artie]

That is pretty bizarre. I don't think I've ever seen a trem arm that wasn't meant to move around.

 

[Butch Snyder]

That is pretty bizarre. I don't think I've ever seen a trem arm that wasn't meant to move around.

Moving around is ok. Swinging around freely is not. I like to be able to grab quick and use it then move it have have it stays where I put it.

 

[ehdwuld]

They make an allen set screw with a tiny ball and spring on the tip

This would solve your problem

Can you take the set screw to the hardware store and find out what size it is?

Then we can start looking for the right replacement

 

[ehdwuld]

Also you can cut a short piece of something to go in ahead of the screw that would contact the shft before the screw

It may fall out when you remove the arm

 

[Coma]

Here you go. I even put superglue in the allen screw cavity thinking the screw was loosening on its own. I think it's just digging a groove into the arm.

Oh dang! How is the socket/coupling assembled? You might be able to remove that part and put a Floyd Rose style cup and collar on there instead.