Broken plastic where vibrato inserts into the tail.

[Notes_Norton]

The plastic part of the vibrato mechanism where the bar inserts broke. I tried using some plastic glue, but it didn't hold.

Any ideas?




Thanks,
Notes

[billy]

Wiguitar on eBay has them for about $14 I think.

Or, there are nylon bushings at the hardware store that don’t look as nice, but cost about $1 and will never break. You might have to drill out the center a little bit to match the od on your bar.

Just as an example, I think it’s this one, but not sure. You can buy them in black online at other places too. Amazon, mcmaster, grainger.

homedepot.com/p/3-8-in-x-1-2-in-Nylon-Spacer-815058/

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks.

Home depot says 'The product you are trying to view is not currently available.' so unfortunately, I can't even see what it looks like.

I'll check eBay.

Notes ♫

[billy]

Try this link

https://www.homedepot.com/p/3-8-in-x-1- ... 276561-_-N&

[billy]

Mcmaster link for black

https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/unthre ... lor~black/

Double check your diameters, this is a guess.

[jb63]

Those ones billy posted are the ones I use. You can walk into the store and buy them. They fit perfectly.

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks again.

So what do I do? Ream the remaining plastic part out of the aluminum and then insert the new?

If so, are there any good ways to get the old out?

I'm completely inexperienced about this.

Notes ♫

[billy]

Hey notes

You can loosen that set screw and just use the bar to push it out from the rear.

I actually just got home from home despot and picked up two of these $1 parts.

You should be able to clear the old broken piece without any drilling and then insert the new piece. Get it set where you want height wise and add just a little tension on the set screw.

Insert the bar and tighten the set screw to set how easy you want it to spin.

People crank them to keep the bar in but it’s just for controlling the spin.

If you’re still in a bind let me know and I’ll post some pictures.

[Notes_Norton]

Thank you VERY much. We have a bunch of St Pat parties so I think I'll wait until next week as we only have 3 gigs then. I can live without the whammy for a weekend.

Notes

[mmmguitar]

Famous last words...

[Notes_Norton]

Famous last words...

[Notes_Norton]

Disappointment.

The item from Home Depot has the same SKU number, but it's just a thin tube, looking nothing like the picture. Instead, the hole in the middle is 1/2" in diameter. Went right to the store too and looked in the drawers, nothing close is in the store close to me. I hesitate to order them on-line since the SKU number is the same.

I'll try McMaster. The shipping will probably be more than the piece but it's not going to be a dealbreaker.

Looks like I need one with a #8 size diameter. The arm fits into a #8 washer. They have nylon in white, in a packet of 100 https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/unthre ... l~plastic/ so if this works, and anybody requires one, I'll be happy to share.

I just didn't want to wait. I realized last weekend how much I use the vibrato arm (I refuse to call it tremolo, Leo got that wrong)

Thanks again, Billy. The item in the picture looks just right, the item in the store doesn't. Perhaps they changed vendors.

Notes ♫

[billy]

Bummer

My Home Depot is pretty messed up too. I didn’t look at the sku just eyeballed it. Ace hardware is a good bet too.

You might try an assortment kit on Amazon, it’s about $12-15 and multiples.

Mcmaster is great but not for saving $$.

Failing that, I can try to mail you one.

[Notes_Norton]

Well, the ones from McMaster didn't fit.

Although I put my arm through a #8 washer, it didn't fit in the spacers I got from McMaster that were supposed to be sized for a #8 screw. Perhaps they wanted the screw to bite into them.

I'd gladly purchase one from you if you have any spares.

I suppose if Parker was still in business, it'd be a lot easier.

Notes ♫

[jb63]

I'll be in Cape San Blas next week, I have an extra. If I can find a post office I should be able to get it to you pretty quick.

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks.

PM'd you with address.

Notes ♫

[billy]

Oh cool- great stuff JB!

Notes, meantime, you could remove that plastic that remains, spin it around and maybe good enough to use temporarily. Most likely it will split again.

[Notes_Norton]

Thanks. It's worth a try!

Notes ♫

[Notes_Norton]

I finally got the old one out. It appears to be almost 1 1/2" long by 3/8".

The last try was drilled for a #8 screw, which was too small, so I guess #10 would work. I don't see a #9 anywhere at McMaster.

I tried gluing the old piece, but that didn't work. I tried a couple of different kinds of plastic glue.

Here are some more pictures.







I really miss my vibrato bar

Do you think this would work?

https://www.mcmaster.com/spacers/unthre ... ize~no-10/

Guitar is my 7th instrument, there is a lot to learn. I can do a lot of work on my sax, but things are more standardized on that instrument. But learning new things is good.

Thanks again,
Notes ♫

[billy]

Yeah that should work.

I created a CAD model today and measured the stock piece and I get .393 OD and .193 ID. (More roughly, 3/8 and 3/16.) I don’t remember the overall length.

Anything about 1” long should work, there’s less than that engaging with the bridge. The rest just hangs below and doesn’t really do much. (Might even contribute to breakage.)

These break mostly due to injection molding- when the plastic flows into the tool, there is a knit or flow line where it doesn’t completely join together. Pressure from the set screw weakens that area and eventually it breaks.

Turned or extruded parts in nylon, delrin, or ptfe won’t do this.

I sent a local machinist my CAD part file for quotation and if not too expensive I’ll get some made and sell them at cost.