EVH tremolo posts stuck

[CJC08]

Hi all, first post
I recently purchased a used 1991 EVH model. It hasn’t been played hardly at all during its life, so it’s in really good shape. My question is in regard to the tremolo posts. When I tried adjusting them with the Allen wrench, they were pretty stuck and wouldn’t move. I’m assuming they’re stuck from not being touched in 30 years. I have a spare set of gotoh posts that I can replace them with, the only issue is getting the old ones out. Are there any suggestions on how to remove them? Or possibly a way to lubricate them so they’ll be adjustable?

Thanks!
Chris

 

[CJC08]

October 14, 91

 

[tbonesullivan]

The trem on the EVH is decked, so in general the action is adjusted by shimming the neck, not raising or lowering the posts.

 

[CJC08]

The trem on the EVH is decked, so in general the action is adjusted by shimming the neck, not raising or lowering the posts.

I know, but the post is still stuck. And the Allen wrench hex hole on top of the post has been tripped to the point where the Allen wrench won’t even fit in the hole because it’s been rounded out. I don’t care if I have to destroy the post to get it out. I have more gotoh posts I can replace it with. I just have to get it out

 

[CJC08]

No one?

 

[Jamie M]

Lovely EVH. Nice early example.

 

[DrKev]

I know, but the post is still stuck. And the Allen wrench hex hole on top of the post has been tripped to the point where the Allen wrench won’t even fit in the hole because it’s been rounded out. I don’t care if I have to destroy the post to get it out. I have more gotoh posts I can replace it with. I just have to get it out

You could just try grabbing with a pliers at 90 degrees to the post. Or cut a slot in the top of it and try to back it out with a large slotted tool, maybe a screwdriver. But knowing the odds of a pliers slipping and falling from your hand or a slot head screw driver coming out of the slot accidentally and making a stomach-churning gash where you don't want one I'd make make sure the guitar top is very well protected. It goes without saying that you will remove the bridge from the body first.

BUT...

I would suggest bringing it a luthier. Risk of damage for them will be less than 1 in a 100. For you it will be higher. So if you want to be 99% sure that there is no damage and that if the awful 1% happens it's on somebody's professional insurance, take it to a luthier.

 

[CJC08]

You could just try grabbing with a pliers at 90 degrees to the post. Or cut a slot in the top of it and try to back it out with a large slotted tool, maybe a screwdriver. But knowing the odds of a pliers slipping and falling from your hand or a slot head screw driver coming out of the slot accidentally and making a stomach-churning gash where you don't want one I'd make make sure the guitar top is very well protected. It goes without saying that you will remove the bridge from the body first.

BUT...

I would suggest bringing it a luthier. Risk of damage for them will be less than 1 in a 100. For you it will be higher. So if you want to be 99% sure that there is no damage and that if the awful 1% happens it's on somebody's professional insurance, take it to a luthier.

Ya I think cutting a slot in the top of the post and backing it out with a flat head screw driver is going to be the solution. I’ve tried grabbing it with pliers and turning it, but no luck. I tried a little 3 in 1 oil and it did help the low E side post, but didn’t help the treble side post. Which confirms that the posts are just stuck from not being turned in 30 years

 

[DrKev]

Don't let the 3-n-1 oil get into the wood.

I would have thought that the pliers would do the trick. If they are slipping, go buy a locking vise grip. You'll have farv more torque than with a screwdriver and less chance of a slipping screw driver blade damaging something.

 

[CJC08]

Don't let the 3-n-1 oil get into the wood.

I would have thought that the pliers would do the trick. If they are slipping, go buy a locking vise grip. You'll have farv more torque than with a screwdriver and less chance of a slipping screw driver blade damaging something.

Ya the pliers don’t grip the posts enough. All they do it slip. I only used a little bit of 3 in 1 oil. Like a drop

 

[GWDavis28]

Don't let the 3-n-1 oil get into the wood.

I would have thought that the pliers would do the trick. If they are slipping, go buy a locking vise grip. You'll have farv more torque than with a screwdriver and less chance of a slipping screw driver blade damaging something.

I'd give this a shot it's cheap and should work, like the Dr said it will give you some leverage.

Good luck, Glenn |B)

 

[beej]

If you don't need to adjust it, I'd (again) suggest leaving it as-is.

That said, another option is a screw extractor bit- they generally work with stripped screws to get them out.

 

[hbucker]

If you don't need to adjust it, I'd (again) suggest leaving it as-is.

That said, another option is a screw extractor bit- they generally work with stripped screws to get them out.

I completely agree.

Vice Grips would be my recommendation if the o.p. Absolutely has to have them out.

 

[hbucker]

Following up on my above post, if it were my EVH, trying to remove the original posts (that don't need to be adjusted) so I can put new posts in that can be adjusted doesn't make sense to me. I would fear damaging the guitar somehow - as others have referred to. There is also the possibility of damaging the post so much it isn't usable (or just looks all torn up) and have it remain in the guitar, stuck.

I suspect the hex wrench inserts on the post are stripped because the previous owner also tried to turn them. fwiw

It's your guitar. Do with it what you want. But given the value of these guitars and the fact that the posts need no adjusting, I'd let sleeping dogs lie.

If you're lucky, some of the ideas on this thread will allow you to remove it without damage to the guitar and you can replace it seamlessly. - fingers crossed.

good luck!

 

[beej]

Again, I'll say screw extractor bits if you need to do this- they're reversely wound drill bits that will bite into the top of the posts, and turn them counter-clockwise out.

 

[GWDavis28]

Again, I'll say screw extractor bits if you need to do this- they're reversely wound drill bits that will bite into the top of the posts, and turn them counter-clockwise out.

Beej up, they also referred to as Easy-Outs. You can get them at just about any hardware store.

Glenn |B)

 

[CJC08]

Following up on my above post, if it were my EVH, trying to remove the original posts (that don't need to be adjusted) so I can put new posts in that can be adjusted doesn't make sense to me. I would fear damaging the guitar somehow - as others have referred to. There is also the possibility of damaging the post so much it isn't usable (or just looks all torn up) and have it remain in the guitar, stuck.

I suspect the hex wrench inserts on the post are stripped because the previous owner also tried to turn them. fwiw

It's your guitar. Do with it what you want. But given the value of these guitars and the fact that the posts need no adjusting, I'd let sleeping dogs lie.

If you're lucky, some of the ideas on this thread will allow you to remove it without damage to the guitar and you can replace it seamlessly. - fingers crossed.

good luck!

I needed to adjust them because the tremolo spacer plate that’s under the base plate wasn’t sitting flat on the guitar. The trem was slanted at an angle with the base side lower so the base side was coming into contact first when you come out of a dive bomb and the treble side wasn’t touching the top. But I managed to raise the low E post up so now the plate is coming back flat after using the trem.

 

[CJC08]

Following up on my above post, if it were my EVH, trying to remove the original posts (that don't need to be adjusted) so I can put new posts in that can be adjusted doesn't make sense to me. I would fear damaging the guitar somehow - as others have referred to. There is also the possibility of damaging the post so much it isn't usable (or just looks all torn up) and have it remain in the guitar, stuck.

I suspect the hex wrench inserts on the post are stripped because the previous owner also tried to turn them. fwiw

It's your guitar. Do with it what you want. But given the value of these guitars and the fact that the posts need no adjusting, I'd let sleeping dogs lie.

If you're lucky, some of the ideas on this thread will allow you to remove it without damage to the guitar and you can replace it seamlessly. - fingers crossed.

good luck!

I have another set of black gotoh posts I can use, so I don’t mind if I destroy the posts that are in there right now getting them out

 

[CJC08]

So I just heard back from EBMM custom service and they also suggested the Vice grip method, but they said the gotoh posts on the EVH are just screwed directly into the wood and that there are no meta inserts for the posts to screw into inside the body. I didn’t know this.

 

[dibart77]

So I just heard back from EBMM custom service and they also suggested the Vice grip method, but they said the gotoh posts on the EVH are just screwed directly into the wood and that there are no meta inserts for the posts to screw into inside the body. I didn’t know this.

Right, the EVH Gotoh Floyd uses a trem post that is a big black wood screw. That's why I wasn't sure why you were oiling it with 3-in-1. There's no metal-to-metal to unstick. EBMM used to sell replacements pretty inexpensively, because I bought some. Part #M05108. They were $10 each when I bought them (in 2009). Ask Customer Service and they should be able to hook you up.

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