The Definitive 73 Cent Fix For the Floppy Trem Arm

[misterMagoo]

Hey fellas. A while back I had a revelation that an adjustable hose clamp would do the trick. I even posted about it here, linking a picture to what I was talking about. Something like this:



Unfortunately I went to home depot and they didn't have them small enough. So I did a search online, and I found that the smallest you could get is the 1/4" - 5/8" size pictured above. The collet is more like 1/8".

So I brainstormed, then took my bridge to the hardware store and came up with the definitive solution for a floppy trem arm, and it only cost me 73 cents. Thats right, $0.73. It was easier to install than the zip tie that was previously on there. And it works perfectly.

Check it out:








As you can see, all it takes is some thick walled rubber hose, I got a sturdy reinforced gasoline hose, and that 1/4" hose clamp. I got a 1 inch piece of hose and cut it in two, so I will have a back up in case it ever squishes to much.

Fits like a charm, no travel issues as it sits flush at the base of the collet, and takes no effort to install. There is zero modification required. Dead simple.

And did I mention it only cost me 73 cents?

[SalsaDestroyer]

Well done, sir! You rule!

[josheboy]

An excellent idea! Why couldn't I have seen this before I bought a StayTrem??? hahaha

[doctorock78]

Awesome idea !! I'm still using my braided fishing line with great success, but I must say your idea is somewhat less hokey Nice work!

[Hoops]

Good idea. My trem arm just stays in place by itself, I think the short side is slightly bent so it stays in position perfectly. Only problem is I like the arm to swing freely, so if anyone wants to swap

[dinosaurkale->]

this is great...can you find this gasoline hose at most hardware stores?

[andy_tchp]

Good idea. My trem arm just stays in place by itself, I think the short side is slightly bent so it stays in position perfectly. Only problem is I like the arm to swing freely, so if anyone wants to swap

This is the common 'fix' and works great (and costs...$0.00.)

You might have to try and straighten the kink (very difficult I'd think) or buy a brand new arm.

[misterMagoo]

this is great...can you find this gasoline hose at most hardware stores?

Well, I haven't looked.

I think though, that most hardware stores will have a decent selection of rubber hose. IMO what you want is something with thick walls (to take up the slack on the hose clamp) and something sturdy and not to rubbery (so it doesn't squish out when you tighten it.)

[0xeneye]

Cannot thank you enough!

[pacemaker]

this is great...can you find this gasoline hose at most hardware stores?

Well, I haven't looked.

I think though, that most hardware stores will have a decent selection of rubber hose. IMO what you want is something with thick walls (to take up the slack on the hose clamp) and something sturdy and not to rubbery (so it doesn't squish out when you tighten it.)

I'm totally doing this when I get my JM project up and running. Gonna take the trem arm with me to make sure I get the right thickness.

[civiljar]

I just gave mine a little squeeze with some vicegrips and the arm stays right where I put it,

[Doctor Chill]

Instead of the hose you may consider tubes made of other materials, mainly soft plastics, such as teflon. This will take the pressure from the clamp very well, while making any residual arm sway easier, if you would like that. It all depends on how much movement you want the arm to have.

Hardwarestores are great for finding cheap solutions to problems. (Especially if you haveone locally that allows you to look into all their drawers.)
Guitar hardware manufacturers are great at selling you these solutions pre-made for way too much money.

So thanks a lot, Staytrem, but Long Lives King Hardwarestore!

[TheWayfarer]

one wrap of electrical tape worked for my Jag. It slowly falls. Like one of those cabinet doors that slowly close on their own.

[selectomatic]

This pipe & clamp idea looks like the best solution yet. Seems so obvious now. I pronounce you the Isaac Newton of offset trems!

[higgsblossom]

Thank you so much! This helped a lot, I'll try using this on my Squier VM Jaguar.