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Thread: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

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    He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    lol
    So I've had this problem with almost every Strat I've owned that was newer than 1966: The trem arm is loose in the inertia block & there's some play when using the arm. Clatter is what I call it. I've tried teflon tape, small springs of different sizes tensions & lengths, solder, & even newspaper to get it snug but the problem eventually returns.
    So the other day I took a small ball-peen hammer & lightly mashed the threads about .25" in from the threaded end all the way around. Now it's as snug as a bug in a rug.
    Got any home-brew Strat-hacks? Post them here

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    Forum Member waxbytes's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    I'm glad this idea worked out for you but I will mention that when you said "I took a small ball-peen hammer" I had a momentary cringe.

    I'm ok now...LOL

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    Forum Member ch willie's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    1. Remove trem arm
    2. Put it away somewhere that your heirs can find when they're selling your gear.
    3. Buy an Ibanez with their best lock trem
    4. Disguise it as a Strat--use a 3D printer and plasticize it, baby, plasticize...
    5. Do not shred, or you'll give it away.
    If we'd known we were going to be the Beatles, we'd have tried harder.--George Harrison

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    Forum Member Volumeknob's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Funny CH.
    I was going to post that I have not ever had that issue with any of the numerous Strats I have owned.......but they where all Squires and Starcasters........

    Just poking fun COGS ..... glad you got her sorted....I was going to suggest thread/pipe tape wrap........maybe??
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    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Quote Originally Posted by Cogs View Post
    lol
    So I've had this problem with almost every Strat I've owned that was newer than 1966: The trem arm is loose in the inertia block & there's some play when using the arm. Clatter is what I call it. I've tried teflon tape, small springs of different sizes tensions & lengths, solder, & even newspaper to get it snug but the problem eventually returns.
    So the other day I took a small ball-peen hammer & lightly mashed the threads about .25" in from the threaded end all the way around. Now it's as snug as a bug in a rug.
    Got any home-brew Strat-hacks? Post them here
    Those who have a Strat with a die cast inertia block should not do this- the threads on the inertia block will be damaged and may strip!

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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Yes, ditto that. These blocks I'm using are steel. Pretty good stuff, but for the play. All vintage-reissue stuff, or something like it

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    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    how do you tell steel from die cast?

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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Take the block & strike your front teeth with it. If it is steel, your teeth will shatter. If it is diecast, your teeth will shatter
    lol
    A steel block has a "ping" to it when struck. I also has marks on it from being milled or cut. A diecast block will have a clunky, dull tone when struck & will have casting marks or marks from the mold on it. Let me look for some images

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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    I don't know if this is a good example or not, but here's a pot metal diecast block on top w/a brass block on the bottom. Note the circle on the right of the diecast block, as well as the sharp edges on the brass block. The brass has obviously been milled or cut instead of molded.

  10. #10
    Forum Member DanTheBluesMan's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    holy crap will that brass block fit in a trem cavity?

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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Believe it or not that's just a standard sized block. The pot metal block has been reduced in size dramatically, probably as a cost-saving measure

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    Forum Member Don's Avatar
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    A magnet won't be attracted to a diecast block.

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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Quote Originally Posted by Cogs View Post
    lol
    So I've had this problem with almost every Strat I've owned that was newer than 1966: The trem arm is loose in the inertia block & there's some play when using the arm. Clatter is what I call it. I've tried teflon tape, small springs of different sizes tensions & lengths, solder, & even newspaper to get it snug but the problem eventually returns.
    So the other day I took a small ball-peen hammer & lightly mashed the threads about .25" in from the threaded end all the way around. Now it's as snug as a bug in a rug.
    Got any home-brew Strat-hacks? Post them here
    I wonder after using the ball-peen hammer if the trem arm will unscrew off?

  14. #14
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    Re: He Took A Hammer To His Stratocaster... You Won't Believe What Happened Next!

    Definitely! You don't want to obliterate the threads, just that a bit of "fineness" off them, so just a few light taps are all you need. Do it up from the end so there is some clean thread to get it started in the hole drilled in the block.
    I've been using this Strat almost exclusively since I hammered the threads & the arm is still snug w/no play or rattle. It moves to where I put it & stays in position untill it is moved again. Some guys like the arm to fall out of the way when not in use, this mod is not for them. It moves easily but stays where placed.

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