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Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 10:54 am
by Tommy Horchata
I can't for the life of me figure out how to do this!!!

There's no access hole in the back.
I tried to drill it out, but then the bit broke and this happened
I'm a bit frustrated here.
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 12:00 pm
by mredhot
maybe find a pencil shaped magnet and see if it would be able to twist it, how did this happen
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 1:12 pm
by Tommy Horchata
mredhot wrote:
maybe find a pencil shaped magnet and see if it would be able to twist it, how did this happen
I actually tried that. It just made the piece stick to the bridge, too.
It happened as I was playing a song 'cause I have 5 springs set on the trem in the back so I can use the trem, but it doesn't make unison bends and double stops go out of tune when I'm not using the trem.
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 2:30 pm
by Ursoluno
Remove the tremolo springs from the block.
Separate the block from the bridge plate/saddles.
Once you do that, the block should fall out of the guitar. The broken bit of the tremolo bar will still be lodged in the block, but it will be a tad bit more exposed. Grab the nub with a pair of pliers and twist.
I've had the same thing happen on my Strat...
...several times.
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 3:11 pm
by Tommy Horchata
Ursoluno wrote:
Separate the block from the bridge plate/saddles.
thanks for that. I didn't realize they were detatchable
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Wed Feb 20, 2008 8:45 pm
by Bryherb
Tommy,
You probably have to use a screw extractor which looks like a tapered drill bit with twisting dull flutes. How you use one is that you get a hole punch and punch a hole in the middle of the broken off arm in your trem block. Make sure you get it dead center. Then you drill a hole about half the diameter of the broken off piece. Drill down about 1/8" to 3/16". I don't have to tell you to be very careful and keep the hole centered. Then you use the correct sized screw exractor in a tap handle and you screw it in counter-clockwise. Eventually the screw extractor flutes grabs onto the walls of the drilled hole and the broken off section unscrews right out. I know, easier said than done. But since there is a broken off drill bit in the hole, looks like it's time for a new Fender Am Std trem block. Sorry about your situation.
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 9:08 am
by Tommy Horchata
Tommy Horchata wrote:
Ursoluno wrote:
Separate the block from the bridge plate/saddles.
thanks for that. I didn't realize they were detatchable
I used this method last night and it worked perfectly
thanks for the help! Who knew I would find the right Strat fix method on the offset forum
now off to the tech to get a setup done before the gig tonight!
Re: Anyone have any tips for removing the broken tip of a trem arm from a Strat???
Posted: Thu Feb 21, 2008 11:48 am
by Ryan
I was just about to suggest pulling the block, that same topic came up at the Harmony Central forum this morning. Glad it worked for you.
