Tremolo „arm tension“ springs

[godsmonkey]

I installed one on my CV Squier and I'm very happy with the results, it feels tight and now it doesn't wobble at all.

Do any of you install „arm tension“ springs to your tremolo arm cavity? I have played Strats for years without them and always found the tremolo arm to moved very awkwardly. It was only this year that I got wise to these little springs that can be installed in the tremolo arm cavity and it adds great stability to the tremolo arm.
Who uses them?
Also, were original pre CBS Fender Stratocasters shipped with these springs installed or was this a later idea?

 

[donnyrocker]

2012 MIA has it: I love it. I pack the guitar in its case with the arm intact, so the profile is low enough for that. (As I sit here, I can't recall how my EJ is put away...)

It seems like my MIM Strats have the tremolo hole all the way through such that a spring can't be supported.

 

[Greydom]

Do any of you install „arm tension“ springs to your tremolo arm cavity? I have played Strats for years without them and always found the tremolo arm to moved very awkwardly. It was only this year that I got wise to these little springs that can be installed in the tremolo arm cavity and it adds great stability to the tremolo arm.
Who uses them?
Also, were original pre CBS Fender Stratocasters shipped with these springs installed or was this a later idea?

I've always used them, they're great.

 

[exmachina]

Yup, Fender ships them with new Strats but they tend to fall out. A little dab of grease can help keep them in place while you take off the bar in order to put it int your case.

 

[Firewood]

Yup, have to have the little spring in there or I can't get the bar set to where I want it.

 

[Mohlman]

Do any of you install „arm tension“ springs to your tremolo arm cavity? I have played Strats for years without them and always found the tremolo arm to moved very awkwardly. It was only this year that I got wise to these little springs that can be installed in the tremolo arm cavity and it adds great stability to the tremolo arm.
Who uses them?
Also, were original pre CBS Fender Stratocasters shipped with these springs installed or was this a later idea?

I've known about them since I was 16, and that was 50 years ago. I can't see using a whammy bar without them.

 

[RDee]

On Amazon. Pack of a dozen.

 

[Willmunny]

View attachment 604756
you talking about something like this?

Hipshot Tremsetter,
works as advertised.

i have one in my Strat build.

Never saw one before

 

[Willmunny]

Think he might be referring to the little spring that goes down inside the place where you thread the whammy bar into the bridge/ tailpiece (like the spring in the end of a ballpoint pen.)

Small bit of tape on the threads, for the win

 

[tedro]

Do any of you install „arm tension“ springs to your tremolo arm cavity? I have played Strats for years without them and always found the tremolo arm to moved very awkwardly. It was only this year that I got wise to these little springs that can be installed in the tremolo arm cavity and it adds great stability to the tremolo arm.
Who uses them?
Also, were original pre CBS Fender Stratocasters shipped with these springs installed or was this a later idea?

yes, or wrap some teflon tape (plumbers tape) around the threads, or get a Callaham trem block.

(the little springs sometimes work out, sometimes not. many players get used to some slight “play”.
try a few wraps of teflon tape. not too much. maybe 2 wraps.

 

[Rrmagnuson]

Get a Callaham block and arm. Well worth it. The spring, and/or spring and ball, help, but unless the arm hole in the block is cut and sleeved with the precision of a Callaham -- and Fenders certainly are not -- you may get the arm to "hang" right, but that annoying and inexcusable play before pressure on the arm moves the block will be there. For all the playing I do, and because the physical feedback from a well-fit arm just way better, I consider this money well spent.

I totally agree with this. I got a Callaham block for my MIM Strat and it's just great. The trem arm works perfectly, doesn't wobble at all, and the guitar sounds better because of the heavy block. I've been thinking of putting one on my American Strat but have kind of been enjoying having the bridge locked down and maintaining perfect tuning. I do miss having a trem though. If you want a good trem fix, Callaham is the best. Hey, if it's good enough for Jeff Beck, it's good enough for me!

 

[Rrmagnuson]

Do any of you install „arm tension“ springs to your tremolo arm cavity? I have played Strats for years without them and always found the tremolo arm to moved very awkwardly. It was only this year that I got wise to these little springs that can be installed in the tremolo arm cavity and it adds great stability to the tremolo arm.
Who uses them?
Also, were original pre CBS Fender Stratocasters shipped with these springs installed or was this a later idea?

I got some of these springs and the little ball bearing. They work "OK", but not great. Annoyingly, they fall out easily if the trem arm isn't installed. What a PITA that is. My opinion is don't bother. Get a Callaham. See other comments that talk about that.

 

[mattier303]

Most use a spring in the arm cavity. It does help the arm stay in position. I use a small ball bearing on top of the spring. Size: 9/64” = 3.57 mm. I once posted a question if people had found better quality springs than Fender, ones that don't compress and stay compressed. Most comments thought that was a ridiculous question I'd still like to find better springs, but a standard spring with the ball bearing does the job.

The tone is in the tremolo arm
Spring man!

 

[djhblues]

Get a Callaham block and arm. Well worth it. The spring, and/or spring and ball, help, but unless the arm hole in the block is cut and sleeved with the precision of a Callaham -- and Fenders certainly are not -- you may get the arm to "hang" right, but that annoying and inexcusable play before pressure on the arm moves the block will be there. For all the playing I do, and because the physical feedback from a well-fit arm just way better, I consider this money well spent.

Agree 100%. I replaced the trem block and bridge on my EJ strat and overall improvement was very noticeable. Highly recommended.

 

[stratblast]

Do any of you install „arm tension“ springs to your tremolo arm cavity? I have played Strats for years without them and always found the tremolo arm to moved very awkwardly. It was only this year that I got wise to these little springs that can be installed in the tremolo arm cavity and it adds great stability to the tremolo arm.
Who uses them?
Also, were original pre CBS Fender Stratocasters shipped with these springs installed or was this a later idea?

I am in th same situation. Never used this springs but I have heard good reports on them
They are supposedly easy to install. It does take some drilling I believe and the product costs about 39 dollars. From what someone told me.

 

[Monimon6545]

A 1/4 in thin wall shrink tubing over the trem arm threads works for me....much better than teflon tape.

 

[Baelzebub]

Another vote for plumbers tape. Gets the job done and never falls out.

 

[Andrew Wasson]

I don't like those little fender springs. I've had them in my strats but they tend to compress and stay compressed. I'd prefer something more springy. I don't use anything on my strats with the Fender tremolos and my other one has a Wilkinson 2-point so it has a different method for tension.

 

[Stringbender53]

The first time I came across them was when I bought a N.O.S. '98 American Standard Strat from the former local Dealer/ Pawnshop chain and there was a small manila parts envelope with 6 of 'em in the plastic case candy bag with the warrenty, cable, Fender Strap, etc. I immediately figured out why and what they were there for, tried one out and LIKED it. However, due to having to remove the vibrato arm when casing it, I don't generally use one as I know I'll just end up losing it if its not removed (suckers fall RIGHT out of that hole without the bar of course!) If I were to wall hang the guitar or have it out for an extended period of time I'd likely use one!

 

[Smooth]

I replace the whole unit with a better one. Whatever Korean Wilkinson fits your Strat. Go to Stratosphere Parts, and choose the one you want. It'll have a push in arm, with a tension screw in the back of the block. Don't get one of the SB models, because there is a much better block, that is not much money.

I prefer the WV6, over the WVC, for my 6 screw Strat, and Strat style guitars, because it is smoother. The WVC units bind more. Then, I buy a higher mass brass block from an eBay seller, located in China. Best systems I've ever used, all for about $50.

Here is the link I have saved for the block. It says the listing ended, but they probably have more. This block is of incredible quality, and it is a perfect fit on the Wilkinson (it's heavy). Your guitar must be a full 1-3/4 deep. If it is a thinner Squier, it'll stick out the back of the guitar.

Brass Tremolo Block Fit Wilkinson WVP6 WV6 Tremolo | eBay

Suitable for Korean production WVP6 WV6 Tremolo. Material：100% brass. Color:Natural brass.

www.ebay.com

The saddles are 10.8mm, if you ever want to change them. I don't like hard saddles, I prefer softer ones. Going with the SS saddles would be the wrong direction, IMO, but that is subjective. The softer ones allow the notes to bloom, with a warmer tone. I don't even like the bent steel saddles that come on the Wilkinson, because they are too hard. My old Gotoh system, I bought from Warmoth 20 years ago, has soft saddles, and it sounds warmer. The strings have made impressions in them, they are so soft.

The overall string spacing is slightly wider than a modern Strat, at least they are speced at 2-1/8, but when I measure them, they are usually around 2.093, from center of E-to-E. 2-1/8 is 2.125, and modern Fender is 2-1/16=2.0625. I prefer the additional width, but that is me.