To those of you who are still having problems after watching this video, check this link out from the most excellent Gerry Hayes at Haze guitars... hazeguitars.com/blog/strat-elite-jammed-tremolo-arm
A sincere thanks for the video on “Stuck Trem Bars” it really helped! Had no idea that the “pop-in trem” could hold on so tightly. Ya learn something new every day. Happy New Year! 👍
Your a genius thank you 🙏 had a new bridge installed, was afraid to force the whammy bar out, it’s a Wilkinson bridge but I followed your technique popped out no problem 😀
WHAT???? ,They simply screw in and out. That's It No extra steps required. Of coarse you have to have the basic knowledge of righty tighty and lefty loosey .
I'm not a whammy bar guy but I decided to try out the pop in arm on my Lincoln Brewster strat after owning it for 3yrs. Five minutes was plenty long enough to remind me why I have no need for it. I do that stuff with my fret hand mostly, and occasionally with my right palm. That was a week ago. I was afraid to use too much force. Watched a couple of videos that said I would need to remove the bridge, then I watched this one and voil`a, popped that sucker right out and put it back in the case where it shall remain. Thanks for the video!
This is actually not as funny, as some think, if a Fender pop in trem bar. The real issue, is the locking mechanism inside the block is not centred. There is a flat insert on the block to insert something just big enough to fit to adjust the lock to centre. Sometimes an Allen wrench, or screwdriver can be used to help centre it. It can happen at the factory, or move out of centre after. This quick fix, should be a first step snd a warning an adjustment is needed. Not to be overlooked. When centred it allows a screw in tremolo arm, with the old little tension spring, or, a pop in arm. This adjustment, also protects the threading to protect those, doing this. Also, this was tackled on another issue, but the arm in that case would not come out, any possible way. Fender tells persons with an awkward, or stuck bar, yo use this insert to remove a really stuck bar, but also to adjust it for proper functioning, That was on a Strat, but the block concept is the same if a Fender guitar, obviously maybe not a Strat. This is an, “on the fly, minor solution”, but should be a warning to fix the real issue. Nut lube was also put on after adjustment. That may sound funny, after a proper fix, but it is smart and works. Just giving info snd this is prolonging a bigger problem, just not as bad, right now. Happy playing and hope this helps. It is also common sense, that something not quite right could signal a bigger issue, which this is. All the best!!!!!
@@AU-jr5yq Awesome. Absolutely not obvious. I had no clue. Glad my little response helped. Enjoy your great Strat. It is. Would be nice if info, really needed, more easily available. All the best!!
~ Please excuse my ignorance because I'm not a guitar player but why would someone want to remove it? Do you have to use the tremolo arm to play this guitar or is it just an added feature and can you play it always without it. It looks to me that it could get in the way for a beginner. Thank you.
You can play with or without it, that’s a matter of personal preference and playing style. The issue for many people is when putting a guitar in a case or gig bag they do not want to leave the arm in place for fear of damage to either the arm or the case. Removing it is also sometimes preferable during maintenance.
I got a fender American pro strat yesterday and i couldn't get the case shut because of the trem arm. I'm still trying the use the method but I'm still worried that if i pull it too much the strings will snap
No, you should be able to pull all the way up and the strings should not snap (assuming the strings are new and in good condition). But if you do this it will not even be an issue: if you are right handed, use you right hand fingers to pull up on the bar while pushing down with your thumb on the nearest bridge mounting post. The pitch of the strings will actually drop, and they cannot snap at all!
This is the funniest tutorial video I have seen in a while! I burst out laughing more than a few times. Oh, and I was able to pull the trem arm out without the world ending. Thanks!
I don't use my wammy bar often if at all. (Just a habit i picked up in the 90s with my screw in bars, probably just too lazy to srew and unsrew the thing haha) I'm a guy who just pulses his palm on the bridge and if i wanna dive down i just grab the back of the bridge and reef up, or use my wammy pedal. But if I'm not mistaken I believe there is a grub screw of some sort under the bridge of my Strats that controls how tight my trem arm stays in there.
What kind of guitar is it? If it’s a screw-in trem arm then this video does not apply. If your screw arm was over-tightened you risk the arm breaking off and leaving the end screwed into the block.
No need to make fun of people. It feels wrong having to pull that hard. The guitar didn’t come with any instructions. I feel if I pull so hard something must be wrong and I’ll just break it if I yank like an idiot
I apologize. I had no intention of making fun of anyone and I never thought I did. As I said in the video, your instinct to not yank too hard is entirely right, in this case it's a question of knowing *how* to apply the force.
Yeah, handy Video. Took a bit searching but found ya! So true, thanks for driving my inexperience into the ground before the explanation. I deserved that...lolol.
I just want to make it clear they DO get stuck my American pro 2s bottom screw was incredibly tight even after an inspection which requires you to remove the whole piece to access
The whammy bar on my guitar is a bit too rigid when I try to use it while playing, maybe its the tremolo system idk but it wont let me do the vibrato action as gracefully as it should be done. Any suggestions?
@@aryanpatil8229 Oh could not suggest that unless I knew how your bridge was set up. So let's ask that question now - is your bridge floating above the top of the guitar or is it sitting flat on, or in contact with, the top of the guitar?
Hello. I’m having just a hell of a time with mine. I just got it. I can hear it making a kind of metal on metal sound when I spin it. And it’s really hanging on. Advice?
There is no magic trick. If it pushes in, it has to pull out. You'll just have to try harder. Check this link out... www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/understanding-the-fender-pop-in-trem-arm/
I should have added. Sweetwater addresses this whole thing completely, including adjusting the retainer clip. Just trying to offer info and that info on sweetwater is a great article. It May not apply to guitars, not Fender, but if so, that article is great. Wish it was easier to find. “Understanding the Fender pop-in arm” from Sweetwater. Just info and the article is awesome if needed. :) !
I actually solved the problem. It's similar to the Gotoh 510 bridges. Open the back plate, and use a fitting Allen wrench to unscrew the bottom part of the cylinder in which the whammy bar is placed. It will get unstuck after a few turns, but you may have to unscrew it almost completely.
Ir worked. Thanks. But with all the technology, there should be a better way. Maybe a screw in tremolo bar? Of course that might present other problems. Well, I am not really a dive bomber player anyway.
The push-in design was a response to the screw-in tremolo bar, which does have its own problems. Generally, they are either loose and floppy or too tight, there’s always a little bit of wiggle or play in the bar, which is annoying, and if they’re overtightened, too many times, the threaded end of the bar will break off in the block. This in fact is the better technology.
I'm still not sure I would pick my guitar up with the tremolo arm however this was a useful video I was afraid. And young Joe Biden that's my guitar's name was just fine!!
No, YOU broke your whammy bar. That really sucks and I'm sorry to hear that. But even the cheapest metal bars requires some ridiculous force to break if they are initially intact, and there is NO WAY you can break a healthy whammy bar simply bushing down with your thumb and pulling up with your fingers. Fortunately, it's an easy job for any good guitar tech to fix. Good luck!
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/PjVXWyUGpwc/mqdefault.jpg)
![The Perfect Stratocaster Trem / Vibrato Setup [Floating, Flat Or Blocked?]](/img/tr.png)
To those of you who are still having problems after watching this video, check this link out from the most excellent Gerry Hayes at Haze guitars... hazeguitars.com/blog/strat-elite-jammed-tremolo-arm
Thank you for the lesson. I just got my fender professional stratocaster, and I was unable to pull out the tremolo bar until I saw this lesson
Lol same.
You just saved me a return trip to the guitar shop for the guitar I bought two days go! Thank you.
Had this exact thing going on with my new Strat. This worked perfectly..Thanks!!
A sincere thanks for the video on “Stuck Trem Bars” it really helped! Had no idea that the “pop-in trem” could hold on so tightly. Ya learn something new every day. Happy New Year! 👍
Awesome! I have a brand new American Pro Strat and I am one of those people afraid of using force😆. This helped a lot. THANK YOU!
Awesome! Well done!
I still cannot remove my trem. Ugh!
we hooked the winch of my neighbours new jeep wrangler up to it and still couldn't get it out im thinking it might be factory defect
Your a genius thank you 🙏 had a new bridge installed, was afraid to force the whammy bar out, it’s a Wilkinson bridge but I followed your technique popped out no problem 😀
First I was afraid, I was petrified, but I need not have worried with Mr. Kretsch at my side.
Solved - thank you so much!
Best response I've ever had. Thank you!
i didnt know this is how i had to pull out the tremolo bar 😂😂 thanks a lot
Thank you just got my second electric guitar. It’s a jackson didn’t know it was a push in, so I was sitting here spinning it. Thanks.
I have a screw in trem and this video did help even that. I had to pull and twist it.
WHAT???? ,They simply screw in and out. That's It No extra steps required. Of coarse you have to have the basic knowledge of righty tighty and lefty loosey .
I'm not a whammy bar guy but I decided to try out the pop in arm on my Lincoln Brewster strat after owning it for 3yrs. Five minutes was plenty long enough to remind me why I have no need for it. I do that stuff with my fret hand mostly, and occasionally with my right palm. That was a week ago. I was afraid to use too much force. Watched a couple of videos that said I would need to remove the bridge, then I watched this one and voil`a, popped that sucker right out and put it back in the case where it shall remain. Thanks for the video!
I just tried that and it didn't work so I added a couple of small side to side jiggles as I was pulling and it came out no problem.
dude thanks so much I have been looking for the solution for months
This is actually not as funny, as some think, if a Fender pop in trem bar. The real issue, is the locking mechanism inside the block is not centred. There is a flat insert on the block to insert something just big enough to fit to adjust the lock to centre. Sometimes an Allen wrench, or screwdriver can be used to help centre it. It can happen at the factory, or move out of centre after. This quick fix, should be a first step snd a warning an adjustment is needed. Not to be overlooked. When centred it allows a screw in tremolo arm, with the old little tension spring, or, a pop in arm. This adjustment, also protects the threading to protect those, doing this. Also, this was tackled on another issue, but the arm in that case would not come out, any possible way. Fender tells persons with an awkward, or stuck bar, yo use this insert to remove a really stuck bar, but also to adjust it for proper functioning, That was on a Strat, but the block concept is the same if a Fender guitar, obviously maybe not a Strat. This is an, “on the fly, minor solution”, but should be a warning to fix the real issue. Nut lube was also put on after adjustment. That may sound funny, after a proper fix, but it is smart and works. Just giving info snd this is prolonging a bigger problem, just not as bad, right now. Happy playing and hope this helps. It is also common sense, that something not quite right could signal a bigger issue, which this is. All the best!!!!!
Thank you for this. I’ve been trying to figure out where the adjustment is for weeks.
@@AU-jr5yq Awesome. Absolutely not obvious. I had no clue. Glad my little response helped. Enjoy your great Strat. It is. Would be nice if info, really needed, more easily available. All the best!!
Thanks bro. I just bought a fender with this type of bar. You saved me
~ Please excuse my ignorance because I'm not a guitar player but why would someone want to remove it?
Do you have to use the tremolo arm to play this guitar or is it just an added feature and can you play it always without it. It looks to me that it could get in the way for a beginner. Thank you.
You can play with or without it, that’s a matter of personal preference and playing style. The issue for many people is when putting a guitar in a case or gig bag they do not want to leave the arm in place for fear of damage to either the arm or the case. Removing it is also sometimes preferable during maintenance.
@@DrKevGuitar ~ Thank you so much!
I have the oposite problem, my grub screw fell out the block and won't go back in. Do I just replace the grub screw or is it not sa simple as that?
You’re a good man! Thank for doing this video..
You’re very welcome!
Thanks a lot! I just got my first push-in tremolo guitar and couldn't figure out how to remove it lmao.
This video is a life saver thanks!
I got a fender American pro strat yesterday and i couldn't get the case shut because of the trem arm. I'm still trying the use the method but I'm still worried that if i pull it too much the strings will snap
No, you should be able to pull all the way up and the strings should not snap (assuming the strings are new and in good condition). But if you do this it will not even be an issue: if you are right handed, use you right hand fingers to pull up on the bar while pushing down with your thumb on the nearest bridge mounting post. The pitch of the strings will actually drop, and they cannot snap at all!
@@DrKevGuitar thanks a lot!
That’s what I call a useful video👍 Thanks
That's what I needed to know. Thanks!
This is the funniest tutorial video I have seen in a while! I burst out laughing more than a few times. Oh, and I was able to pull the trem arm out without the world ending. Thanks!
:-D
I don't use my wammy bar often if at all. (Just a habit i picked up in the 90s with my screw in bars, probably just too lazy to srew and unsrew the thing haha) I'm a guy who just pulses his palm on the bridge and if i wanna dive down i just grab the back of the bridge and reef up, or use my wammy pedal. But if I'm not mistaken I believe there is a grub screw of some sort under the bridge of my Strats that controls how tight my trem arm stays in there.
THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME THE COURAGE HOLY HELL
Please reply, so.. I did something wrong.. I screwed it on.. And.. Its stuck and if I try to screw it out it can pop out the bridge thing..
What kind of guitar is it? If it’s a screw-in trem arm then this video does not apply. If your screw arm was over-tightened you risk the arm breaking off and leaving the end screwed into the block.
No need to make fun of people. It feels wrong having to pull that hard. The guitar didn’t come with any instructions. I feel if I pull so hard something must be wrong and I’ll just break it if I yank like an idiot
I apologize. I had no intention of making fun of anyone and I never thought I did. As I said in the video, your instinct to not yank too hard is entirely right, in this case it's a question of knowing *how* to apply the force.
You’re the man. Thanks for this!
Kevin Kelly You’re very welcome!
Yeah, handy Video. Took a bit searching but found ya! So true, thanks for driving my inexperience into the ground before the explanation. I deserved that...lolol.
I just want to make it clear they DO get stuck my American pro 2s bottom screw was incredibly tight even after an inspection which requires you to remove the whole piece to access
YES!
I want this guitar as my second guitar.
It's a fantastic guitar (I write this having just spent the last hour with it). Love it love it love it!
@@DrKevGuitar how much is it? (₱ Pesos from Philippines?)
The whammy bar on my guitar is a bit too rigid when I try to use it while playing, maybe its the tremolo system idk but it wont let me do the vibrato action as gracefully as it should be done. Any suggestions?
How many springs are their in the rear cavity?
3 springs...its an Ibanez GRG 150P
@@DrKevGuitar I take that you are suggesting I loosen those springs? I don't think I should do that.Anyways, Thanks!
@@aryanpatil8229 Oh could not suggest that unless I knew how your bridge was set up. So let's ask that question now - is your bridge floating above the top of the guitar or is it sitting flat on, or in contact with, the top of the guitar?
@@DrKevGuitar It's fixed to the guitar...not a Floating Bridge.
Oh man! Thanks! I have had my guitar for year and a half and I hadn’t been able to remove the arm 😅
Thank you, this was very useful.
You’re welcome!
what kind of bridge is that?
I needed this, thanks!
I felt dumb watching this but I wanted to be sure I was gonna do it correctly because it felt like my bar was gonna rip the whole guitar neck off
Hello. I’m having just a hell of a time with mine. I just got it. I can hear it making a kind of metal on metal sound when I spin it. And it’s really hanging on. Advice?
I think your best bet is to take it to a store and have them look at it.
I have the same problem, did you manage to fix it?
Same issue here
Just got my ultra strat.. popped in whammy bar.. now it won't come out😔 tried your meathod.. no go. What now??
There is no magic trick. If it pushes in, it has to pull out. You'll just have to try harder. Check this link out...
www.sweetwater.com/sweetcare/articles/understanding-the-fender-pop-in-trem-arm/
Lmao, thanks man! What a bitch that was. Hate feeling like I have to baby NEW guitars lol
Just spent $2,000 + on my new Ultra Strat and still pretty finicky with it LOL
I should have added. Sweetwater addresses this whole thing completely, including adjusting the retainer clip. Just trying to offer info and that info on sweetwater is a great article. It May not apply to guitars, not Fender, but if so, that article is great. Wish it was easier to find. “Understanding the Fender pop-in arm” from Sweetwater. Just info and the article is awesome if needed. :) !
Is this a fender american pro strat? and do you need an ashtray?
No, thjis is a Music Man Cutlass, and that's not an ashtry, it's a fixed part of the bridge.
I have tried this on my Fender American Pro 1 but it won’t come out.
See link in the description. And if that doesn’t work either, take it to someone for repair. Good luck!
@@DrKevGuitar thank you so much!
That helped thanks man!
Cool! Thank you! Saw a video where I guy doing a review on an American Pro Strat actually returned the guitar because he couldn’t pull out 🤣
My wiggle stick is stuck. I'm pulling with all my strength. Nothing. It's really stuck.
Sounds like a case of “take it to a pro my friend”. Good luck!
@@DrKevGuitar It sure does haha! Thanks.
I actually solved the problem. It's similar to the Gotoh 510 bridges. Open the back plate, and use a fitting Allen wrench to unscrew the bottom part of the cylinder in which the whammy bar is placed. It will get unstuck after a few turns, but you may have to unscrew it almost completely.
@@nedim_guitar Great work! Well done you!
Thank you lol
Thanks a lot my bar has now snapped in two and half is stuck in the spot
Thank you!
Dude, thank you
Dude, you’re welcome
Aw man thank you!
l love you man..
I love you too man.
works for jackson too
Ir worked. Thanks. But with all the technology, there should be a better way. Maybe a screw in tremolo bar? Of course that might present other problems. Well, I am not really a dive bomber player anyway.
The push-in design was a response to the screw-in tremolo bar, which does have its own problems. Generally, they are either loose and floppy or too tight, there’s always a little bit of wiggle or play in the bar, which is annoying, and if they’re overtightened, too many times, the threaded end of the bar will break off in the block. This in fact is the better technology.
nope it didn't come out 🙁
sigh that's what she said...
Thanks👍
very nice
Helped me. Thx
Thank you !!!!
You are very welcome!
I'm still not sure I would pick my guitar up with the tremolo arm however this was a useful video I was afraid. And young Joe Biden that's my guitar's name was just fine!!
Thumbs up if you came here for a lesson on what gravity is 👍👍
I felt so much fear watching this video. My America Ultra is a little over a year old and my trem bar has never seen the inside of my guitar.
Me too man! I just got my new ultra strat, I'm so afraid to rip it out. Do you have any tuning-stability problems using trem-bar on it?
"All there is to it" Not so fast says my brand new American made Fender Stratocaster. My Trem arm is stuck like a mofo
See the pinned comment. If you still can’t get it out, you’ll have to take it to a pro.
Savior ! :))
Gracias
Con gusto!
My whammy bar broke off in my guitar. RIP
Thank u
You made me break my tremelo bar
It broke my whammy bar....
No, YOU broke your whammy bar. That really sucks and I'm sorry to hear that. But even the cheapest metal bars requires some ridiculous force to break if they are initially intact, and there is NO WAY you can break a healthy whammy bar simply bushing down with your thumb and pulling up with your fingers. Fortunately, it's an easy job for any good guitar tech to fix. Good luck!
1:43
No, did not work.
Why don’t you remove not talking
Because fun. Go get some ice cream and call your Mom tel you love her.
Thank You!