We’ve received a litany of responses to our recent “jiggly vibrato arm” tech tip (see TTOTD 11/2/99) with many readers informing us of their technique for correcting the problem. Virtually every one of these responses involved using some sort of tape: plumbers, Teflon, duct, etc. The general idea is to wrap the tape around the vibrato arm before inserting it. Much like the balloon technique we specified in our TTOTD, the tape acts as a sort of gasket, tightening the fit. The duct tape solution causes some concern because it is likely to produce a significant build up of that ugly duct tape “goo” (we all know and love this from pulling it off of gear that’s been in a hot truck for 10 hours). The big advantage to the tape solution is you can control where it is placed. One Sweetwater Sales Engineer pointed out that using plumbers tape, one can even revive old bushings in a Floyd Rose style vibrato by applying the tape under the bushings. Another reader suggested using Vaseline, which also has the added advantage of keeping the little spring from falling out of the Fender style units.
Suffice to say there is more than one way to skin this cat. If only there had been an inSync 10 years ago when I was trying to figure this problem out on my guitar…