Help on removing trem post inserts

[Entropy]

What is the best way to remove the trem post inserts from a body?

I believe they are press fit in the body so I assume some sort of brute force method is needed.

Any help or suggestions are appreciated! thanks.

[Rich]

Why are you pulling them?

Whatever the reason, I use a cats paw. Lay some shims across the body to use as a base and protect the finish [I actually put the shims on top of a cloth] and then just pull them straight up. You'll have to cut away all the paint that covers the top edge of the inserts or you'll rip a bunch of it up, alot more than if you trim it around the insert.

[Entropy]

Thanks, Rich.

The reason I'm thinking about doing it is that in one hand I have a body with no hardware and in the other hand I have a full guitar to cannabilize for it's hardware.