edge pro tremolo arm and arm holder adjustment

[tonesponge]

I have read the article in "setup" about arm holder adjustment to compensate for a "clunky" or "loose" arm. Before I go messing with this piece of equipment, I want to verify that this adjustment is for when there is too much "play" in the arm when you try to bend the bridge up or down, as opposed to "arm rotation torque," which is supposedly adjusted by adding or removing bushings. Do I have it right?

I am not an experienced floating bridge user, and want know whether some "play" is desirable. It seems to me that a small amount of "play" can assist with "flutter," (which is what I am calling vibratoing a chord by "fluttering" the bar rapidly across zero). The "play" let's me sort of resonate the motion if I time it properly. Do I have it right? But how much play is too much play? My RG1570 is new, and the amount of "play" in the arm seems to be increasing rapidly with use. It's slowing down my "flutter" and making it sound exagerated. Should I have no "play" at all in the bar?

Thanks

[nuno]

Originally Posted by tonesponge

I want to verify that this adjustment is for when there is too much "play" in the arm as opposed to "arm rotation torque,"...

you have to carefully check if is the arm itself "moving" inside the arm-holder, or if is the arm-holder moving in it's place onto the baseplate. if it's just the arm moving, replace the bushing, if it's the arm-holder you gotta tighten the hex-nut underneath that tightens the arm-holder onto the baseplate.

Originally Posted by tonesponge

It seems to me that a small amount of "play" can assist with "flutter,"...

pretty much the opposite. the less the play, the more the flutter. the arm has to be tight into the arm-holder if you want a long and intense flutter. of course, the flutter will come even with a less tighten arm, but not enough to be a "play". and it also depends on the springs and on the height the trem is set at on its cavity. if it's set too low it won't flutter at all.

[fettouhi]

Originally Posted by nuno

you have to carefully check if is the arm itself "moving" inside the arm-holder, or if is the arm-holder moving in it's place onto the baseplate. if it's just the arm moving, replace the bushing, if it's the arm-holder you gotta tighten the hex-nut underneath that tightens the arm-holder onto the baseplate.





pretty much the opposite. the less the play, the more the flutter. the arm has to be tight into the arm-holder if you want a long and intense flutter. of course, the flutter will come even with a less tighten arm, but not enough to be a "play". and it also depends on the springs and on the height the trem is set at on its cavity. if it's set too low it won't flutter at all.

Very well said .

Regards

André

[tonesponge]

Originally Posted by nuno

you have to carefully check if is the arm itself "moving" inside the arm-holder, or if is the arm-holder moving in it's place onto the baseplate. if it's just the arm moving, replace the bushing, if it's the arm-holder you gotta tighten the hex-nut underneath that tightens the arm-holder onto the baseplate.

I think it is just the arm moving inside the arm-holder, but it's a brand new guitar. So why would the bushings be worn out? Do they make them in different sizes? Also, there are two plastic bushings. Should I replace both or does one effect arm torque and the other the arm back and forth movement?

[nuno]

try replacing just one. if it's good the you're set, if it's still too loose replace both.

[eviltwin]

do a search on "bushings" or "washers"

Make sure you put the new ones on the correct way up, they are very slightly tapered.

They are marked by three small dots, these need to point towards the bottom.

[tonesponge]

Thanks all. A local setup guy told my trem arm is NOT too loose, but I can tighten it up if I want by taking the bushings off and putting nail polish or plumbers tape on the bar under the bushing.