Loose tremolo arm

[grayn]

Just acquired a 4 year old Axis Super Sport, which is perfect in every way, except the vintage tremolo arm is loose and slides to an almost horizontal position, when let go.
I've tried thin tape, around the arm, where it goes into the bridge hole but it only works for a day or 2.
Any suggestions please?

 

[BrickGlass]

Look from the bottom of the guitar up towards the bridge. Push down on the trem bar and on the right side you'll see a little hole that you can put a small allen wrench in and tighten it up. No more loose trem arm. Make it as tight or loose as you want.

 

[grayn]

Yes! Just tightened it.
This is my 5th EBMM and I never knew about that allen key hole, on vintage trems.
Doh!
Well, I've never had a loose one before.

Cheers BrickGlass.

 

[ozzyrules]

Yep, right there:

 

[Stratty316]

I always forget about that when setting up my guitars. I like the bar loose so I think the HHAL and the Silo Spec are gonna get loosened when I restring and set up the guitars in the next few days.

 

[grayn]

I had a day with the trem arm hanging down and found it awkward, for the stuff I play.
Especially when I had to go into the part where my fretting hand operates the trem, whilst I pick the bottom E, for that 50s boing! style.
That simple,allen key twist,makes all the difference, for me.

 

[ozzyrules]

I always forget about that when setting up my guitars. I like the bar loose so I think the HHAL and the Silo Spec are gonna get loosened when I restring and set up the guitars in the next few days.

Play that thing more often, boy! It will loosen up. Lol.

 

[Stratty316]

Honestly it's not a big deal how the bar sits as long as it's not in the way. I actually don't use them a whole lot when playing... I could actually have ordered everything hardtail and been ok... Though I sold the HT Axis and HT EVH (and every other HT guitar I've owned)because they felt wrong with out it. So who knows?

 

[Tollywood]

Honestly it's not a big deal how the bar sits as long as it's not in the way. I actually don't use them a whole lot when playing... I could actually have ordered everything hardtail and been ok... Though I sold the HT Axis and HT EVH (and every other HT guitar I've owned)because they felt wrong with out it. So who knows?

Hi Mat,
You may like the trem equipped guitars because the string bending is more loose feeling (less tension) since the tremolo moves a little when you bend. I prefer that feeling over bending strings on a hardtail.

 

[ksandvik]

This is where EBMM guitars are designed for practical use, that small tightening screw is much better than all the hacks people use to keep their Stratocaster tremolo arms locked in a specific position (can't do much about wear and tear of the tremolo arm and the cavity where it's placed...)

 

[Rachmaninoff]

Just acquired a 4 year old Axis Super Sport, which is perfect in every way, except the vintage tremolo arm is loose and slides to an almost horizontal position, when let go.

Funnily enough, my trem was originally stiff, and I loosened it to behave just like you described. I actually like loose tremolo arms.

 

[Stratty316]

Hi Mat,
You may like the trem equipped guitars because the string bending is more loose feeling (less tension) since the tremolo moves a little when you bend. I prefer that feeling over bending strings on a hardtail.

Possibly, but it also is nice to have it there just in case I want it or need it.

 

[playitforward]

What size hex key? I tried 1/16 imperial and doesnt work. Thinking maybe 1.5 mm?

 

[Mace13]

Yeah, 1.5 mm