{"id":1745514,"date":"2022-05-19T17:52:00","date_gmt":"2022-05-19T17:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/?post_type=articles&p=1745514"},"modified":"2022-08-09T20:33:43","modified_gmt":"2022-08-09T20:33:43","slug":"understanding-the-fender-pop-in-trem-arm","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/www.sweetwater.com\/sweetcare\/articles\/understanding-the-fender-pop-in-trem-arm\/","title":{"rendered":"Understanding the Fender Pop-in Trem Arm"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

How to use the Fender pop-in tremolo arm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

In this article, we\u2019re going to take a look at the Fender American Professional<\/a> and Elite bridge<\/a> systems, help you understand how the Fender tremolo arm<\/a> works and also show you how to set the tension on the tremolo arm.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Installing the Fender Tremolo Arm<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
  2. Removing the Fender Tremolo Arm<\/strong><\/a><\/li>
  3. Removing the Retainer Clip<\/a><\/strong><\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n
    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Installing the Fender tremolo arm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    When you install the Fender whammy bar<\/a> into the bridge, it will easily travel through a nylon bushing until you reach the retainer clip. You\u2019ll notice that there is a notch at the end of your pop-in Fender tremolo arm. It may take some effort to get the tremolo arm past the clip, but once you do, the notch in the trem arm will receive the retainer clip and your arm will be secured in place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Your Fender tremolo arm should now swing freely, but will likely need some further adjustments to prevent the Fender whammy bar from wobbling within the bridge. This can be adjusted to taste by the tension screws on the back of the bridge<\/a> shown in the picture below.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Fender<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    The back of the Fender Strat bridge.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The bottom tension screw cannot be accessed unless the tremolo block is removed entirely. However, by pushing down on the trem arm, or, \u201cdive bombing<\/a>,\u201d you can access the top tension screw. To better secure your tremolo arm or to inhibit how freely it spins, you\u2019ll want to tighten this screw. After the adjustment, release the arm so that the bridge returns to \u201czero\u201d and check the Fender\u2019s tremolo arm over. If it\u2019s set to the tension you like, you\u2019re good to go. Otherwise, just continue to make the necessary adjustments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Remove<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Remove the Stratocaster tremolo arm<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RETURN TO TOP<\/a> \u2191<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Removing the Fender tremolo arm<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Removing the Fender Stratocaster\u2019s pop-in tremolo arm can sometimes be difficult. Before attempting to remove it, you\u2019ll want to be sure that the tension screw has been backed off enough to allow the whammy bar\u2019s removal. If you find that you need to use excessive force to remove the arm, it\u2019s likely that the retainer clip has the arm locked firmly into place. Don\u2019t worry! With enough force, the tremolo arm will pull loose.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RETURN TO TOP<\/a> \u2191<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Removing the retainer clip<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    If you find that it\u2019s a struggle to remove and insert the tremolo arm, Fender suggests removing and bending the retainer clip outward slightly and re-inserting it. This requires removing the bridge from the instrument but should allow the arm to pop in and out easily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While the bridge is removed, locate the retainer clip from the back of the bridge and, using a thin ruler or straight edge, carefully force the clip out of the slot. By pushing straight out against the rounded part of the clip, you\u2019ll be able to force it loose and remove it easily.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Remove<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Remove the clip with a ruler..
    <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    While the retainer clip is removed, bend the clip slightly so that it\u2019s out of the way of the arm when being inserted.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    \"Bend<\/a><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

    Bend retainer clip from trem bar hole<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you find that after adjusting the retainer clip, removing the Fender whammy bar is still too difficult, you can choose to remove the retainer clip entirely. Your tremolo arm will still function as intended but you\u2019ll need to adjust the tension screws to compensate for the lack of tension exerted by the clip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Once the retainer clip is freed, the arm should slide in and out of the nylon bushing without a problem. But, you\u2019ll need to tighten the two set screws for the preferred tension. While the bridge is still out, fully insert the whammy bar and adjust the bottom tension screw until the arm spins as freely as you like it. The tighter that tension screw is tightened, the more force will be necessary to swing the Fender tremolo arm.
    <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The top set screw should only be tightened enough to keep the arm from wobbling around in the bushing. Once you\u2019re comfortable with the way your Fender\u2019s tremolo arm feels, you should be able to easily remove the arm and re-install the bridge. The removal and re-installation of a Stratocaster bridge will typically require that a setup is done afterward. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    If you\u2019re uncomfortable with this or any other process outlined above, we strongly recommend you let Sweetwater\u2019s Guitar Workshop<\/a> or an experienced Guitar Technician make these adjustments for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    RETURN TO TOP<\/a> \u2191<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

    <\/div>\n\n\n\n

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