removing plastic tip of vibrato arm

[RUSSET]

I just got my CV Strat's trem arm reduced by 1/2". My neighbour has a small workshop with all the right metalwork tools, so he did the job & also put a nice chamfer on the tip. It's amazing how much better the arm feels now that it's reduced by that mere 1/2".

Tony.

[negninegaw]

That's great.
You sound like you have never used a saw or file!

[RUSSET]

Well no, I have used saws & files, but it's not my strength. Actually, my dad was an expert toolmaker, when he was alive & working, but it just didn't interest me. I did get lessons in metalwork at school, but I found it boring. My neighbour is a Blacksmith. He works in wrought metal, makes railings & gates etc. & has the right tools for any metalwork job. He also builds motorbikes for the 'Biker' community. It was a five minute job for him to fix my trem arm.

Tony.

[swodahs]

"Staytrem" on ebay will make a bespoke trem arm if you contact him direct. I like my trem arms to be offset, and he has recently produced a special one for my PRS. Good quality, good service.

[dave robinson]

Thanks for the useful input.
In the meantime I used a much too long vribrato arm that was laying around (from a Japanese Fender?)
and made a bend or two in it. It got me an 'easym*te' and the right length.
See photo.
The tip of the arm is looslely held by the pinky side of my fist.
I saw that Hank holds his vibrato arm in a relatively steep angle upward.

By the way, do you also hit the Strat's pickups with your pick all the time? very annoying.
It does not matter how long the vibrato arm is
I don't have that with my LesPaul. Any cures?

Good idea and a result !

[negninegaw]

Thanks Dave