Burns Apache Trem Problems

[guitarpicker]

I have a Burns Apache and have had constant problems in setting up the trem, I like a fixed trem that does not drop down and after one or two tunes it has worked itself loose so that I have to stop and tighten it up again. I do not want to use star washers etc as they will scratch the gold work and nylon ones last about 5 tunes till they work loose again. Has anyone got any suggestions or must my guitar live permamently in its guitar case while i use a stratacaster all the time.

Many Thanks

Dave

[RayL]

The problem is the bolt unscrewing itself, so use a dab of Loctite ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loctite ) to maintain the bolt at the correct tightness.

[JimN]

The problem is the bolt unscrewing itself, so use a dab of Loctite ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Loctite ) to maintain the bolt at the correct tightness.

Agreed, though I would add (for the avoidance of doubt) that the nylon washers should be used.

There is a particular tension (not too tight, not too loose) where the arm will not unscrew and will be movable and operable without backlash. That's the way mine has been since 1972 at any rate.

[RogerCook]

I think I posted a pic of the mod I did on mine which was to replace the fibre washers with nylon ones and replace the 2 plain nuts with shallow 'nylocs'. I also used a slightly longer Allen screw to accommodate the different nuts. Not sure if these would be readily available in n gold though.

I can't find the pic unfortunately and I no longer have then guitar.