Noisy EDGE turning whammy bar

superhairycamel · #1 06-09-2008, 09:01 AM

when i turn the whammy bar on my friends rg565 it makes yukky scratching noises, if i loosen the screw on the other end of the arm holder, the noise disappears but the bar becomes loose and undesireable, what can i do to fix this, i am sure it has to do with the spring.

thanks

ps i am also having the same problem with the lo pro edge on my 570

Vim Fuego · #2 06-09-2008, 09:19 AM

Try putting a little plumber's PTFE tape on the tip of the arm where the spring catches.
Jim

chaos731 · #3 06-09-2008, 09:21 AM

It sounds to me like the arm-tightening screw has been overtightened to compensate for unduly worn and/or missing trem arm bushings (the little white nylon things on the trem arm). I had a similar problem a while ago (at least it sounds like the exact same problem I was having), and replacing the bushings made all the difference in the world. It's amazing what those little pieces of nylon do. Replacing those bushings will probably make your friend's EDGE feel and operate as good as new (assuming nothing else is inherently wrong with it, that is).

Anyone care to corroborate?

chaos731 · #4 06-09-2008, 09:30 AM

I'd also like to formally offer taking that 565 off your friend's hands, if he's not interested in going through all that trouble.

Vim Fuego · #5 06-09-2008, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chaos731

It sounds to me like the arm-tightening screw has been overtightened to compensate for unduly worn and/or missing trem arm bushings (the little white nylon things on the trem arm). I had a similar problem a while ago (at least it sounds like the exact same problem I was having), and replacing the bushings made all the difference in the world. It's amazing what those little pieces of nylon do. Replacing those bushings will probably make your friend's EDGE feel and operate as good as new (assuming nothing else is inherently wrong with it, that is).

Anyone care to corroborate?

Actually, this sounds right. If you put new bushings in, then the fit will be tighter and you can loosen the screw so it doesn't make a noise but still stops the arm from popping out (which is all it's supposed to do!).
Jim

Rich · #6 06-09-2008, 11:54 AM

There is no "arm tightening screw".

Make sure the holder itself is not spinning. If it's tight then make sure the spring head is in the center of it's hole. If all that is correct put a touch of grease in the detent at the tip of the bar.

chaos731 · #7 06-09-2008, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rich

There is no "arm tightening screw".

Make sure the holder itself is not spinning. If it's tight then make sure the spring head is in the center of it's hole. If all that is correct put a touch of grease in the detent at the tip of the bar.

Ok...technically it's not called the "arm tightening screw". The screw I think we're talking about is the "Arm holder screw", which, with the "Arm Holder", "Arm holder nut" and "Arm Holder Spring" actually hold the arm (natch') to the trem unit itself. It sounded like the guy had tightened the arm holder screw and spring so much (in order to compensate for worn bushings) to such an extent that the arm itself was "creaking" and/or "scratching" in the hole that is (or more precisely, is "inside") the arm holder itself. While it's certainly possible that the arm holder needs a bit 'o' lubing, and it's certainly possible that the arm holder nut and arm holder (in combination) are loose and need to be tightened down to the trem unit itself, that squeaking "yukky scratching noise" (in the words of the submitter) seems to be referring to "scratching" at the point of contact between the arm and the arm holder.

But, naturally, you're correct...there is no "arm tightening screw", strictly speaking, as that's not its official name, and technically, that's not what it's supposed to be used for. For that matter, you could call it "chocolate cake" or something equally arbitrary and unrelated, but that wouldn't stop people from reaching in there and trying to tighten the sweet merciful farg out of it in an effort to stop too much arm play.

Maybe this specific problem is a combination of the stuff I mentioned and the stuff you mentioned. But, in this case, I'd be willing to bet a shiny quarter that the bushings need replacing, and that in doing so, the base "yukky scratching noise" would cease.

superhairycamel · #8 06-10-2008, 01:10 AM

my 570 has new bushings like 2 months ago and its doing it now.....so.......

GuitarEvan07 · #9 06-10-2008, 12:42 PM

Yeah you can go ahead and buy those bushing but they go by pretty fast in my opinion. If they were super cheap and widely available then sure, but they are not. What Rich said is the best way to do it.

superhairycamel · #10 06-15-2008, 05:37 AM

Hey what can i use to lubricate the tip of the bar because i dont have any grease at home.
can i use WD 40? i also have some motorcycle chain lubricant (oil based) and probably some other house hold chemicals and stuff

badguitarist · #11 06-15-2008, 08:31 AM

I had the same problem before. I tried some lubricating cream (I don't know what it's called other than that

) in my wah's gear. It worked fine. Now the scream is all gone but I never hear that fricking noise again!

superhairycamel · #12 06-15-2008, 10:14 PM

what about vaseline? ive got plenty of that

badguitarist · #13 06-16-2008, 02:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superhairycamel

what about vaseline? ive got plenty of that

Why don't try on the spot? It won't take you more than a bite of vaseline!

superhairycamel · #14 06-16-2008, 03:13 AM

i gave the vaseline a go and it cleared up the noise real quick but also (of course) made the arm turn much easier and stay in the same spot alot less.
the arm itself has become looser as though the bushings had worn down again where before it had no play. i might try tightening that screw under the holder again tonight.

badguitarist · #15 06-16-2008, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by superhairycamel

i gave the vaseline a go and it cleared up the noise real quick but also (of course) made the arm turn much easier and stay in the same spot alot less.
the arm itself has become looser as though the bushings had worn down again where before it had no play. i might try tightening that screw under the holder again tonight.

Make sure the problem is really the arm holder before you go since tightening it requires some careful work. In most cases it doesn't loose. You may try to wrap a few rounds of teflon tape (if it's what it's called. It's the tape for threads) around the area under the bushings and then reinstall the bushings.