JimN wrote:I owned a 1965 Burns Marvin from 1972 to 2022 and never adjusted the tremolo arm when it was its case (the majority of its time. The case was not an original Burns case; ii was a Fender-style case which had been supplied with a Mosrite guitar I bought in 1970. I PXd the Mosrite for the Marvin in a London shop and kept the Mosrite case because there wasn't a case with the Burns. It fitted well (largely because of the reverse offset shape of both instruments).
There was never the slightest issue with the Marvin's tremolo arm in that case.
Thanks, that's re-assuring, and it confirms what I thought, even though it "feels" wrong to me. Logically, if a guitar could be damaged by a depressed trem arm, the same would happen when using it "in play".
chaddopete wrote:On all of my genuine Strats the trem arm is not drilled into the block perpendicularly. The arm leans backwards so that when swivelled towards the right elbow contour it lies almost flat on the body, therefore no need to unscrew. This way you don't lose the spring, or wear out the threads. No PTFE tape or anything else, it stays where you put it. Never had a problem with one in 55yrs.
Hope this helps
Pete
Just had a look at my Strat, and you're right! Never noticed that before, but to be fair, I've only had the guitar for 45 years!!
It's now back in its case, with the trem arm in place for the very fist time
dave robinson wrote:I must have owned over 40 Strats in my life time and never, ever had to remove the tremolo arm as they are designed to swing back out of the way when in the case.
A properly setup Fender tremolo arm swings to it's lowest when pointed to the South East position on your guitar (That's opposite to the position you use it) if you look at it from above with the neck to the left. It even had it printed in the little flyers that used to come with them from brand new in the case candy.
That said, I often leave mine in the position I use it and let the lid of the case push it down to relieve tension on neck, as it slackens the strings in transit.
As I have just discovered, you're absolutely right - every day is a school day. Can't wait to share this new found knowledge at the next Shad Club night- I wonder if I'm the only one there that had no idea?
Thanks guys,
Cliff