how to adjust tremblo arm tightness?
- Thread starter Roudan
- Start date
Alnus Rubra
Loving nature’s wonders
Hi and welcome to the forum.
Congratulations on your first PRS.
There is a small set screw in the end of the tremolo, that you can adjust for trem arm tightness.
Congratulations on your first PRS.
There is a small set screw in the end of the tremolo, that you can adjust for trem arm tightness.
Thank you Alnus, yes I did it already, I even loose the screw out of the hole and the arm is still tight, which means the screw is not working for adjustment. I have a picture to show but not sure how to post the picture here. Thanks
rbert0005
New Member
It will loosen up with use.
Bob
Bob
DISTORT6
NJ Devil
aphantomvaper
Bend it to the Owl!
Maybe a core tremolo arm would work better. If you have the set screw all the way loose the bar should loosen up over time. Maybe spray some silicone into on the bar before you shove it in there.
Good luck and congrats on the PRS!
Good luck and congrats on the PRS!
Last edited:
thanks ashantomvaper, do you know the size in mm? Is it 6mm or 5.5mm? I tried to order a smaller size and I did find few models ACC 4016 and 4015, but it never say the size
https://www.pitbullaudio.com/prs-paul-reed-smith-acc-4016-tremolo-arm-gold.html
SinSir
Mad Scientist
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2020
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Did you end up finding a new 35th or used? If used I wonder if it's the right arm?
To post pics on here you use a third party site to host your picture and copy the link.
I like the idea of some silicon or such if the arm isn't loose from the set screw. I can't be of more help as floppy trem arms drive me crazy, and I'm always trying to tighten them up.
To post pics on here you use a third party site to host your picture and copy the link.
I like the idea of some silicon or such if the arm isn't loose from the set screw. I can't be of more help as floppy trem arms drive me crazy, and I'm always trying to tighten them up.
Thank Sinsir, it is brand new.
SinSir
Mad Scientist
- Joined
- Sep 7, 2020
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- 5,413
Good score!
My bar is 5mm, I am wondering if I can buy a 4.5mm one which might fit? I cannot find this size info from prs website. Any idea? Thx
SinSir
Mad Scientist
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Since its smaller I'd guess yes. Doesn't hurt to try.
You could try and ream out the bushing slightly.
John Mann discusses trem bushing removal and installation and properly sizing the bushing here
http://www.mannmadeusa.com/support/vibrato-arm-bushing-removal-instructions/
John Mann discusses trem bushing removal and installation and properly sizing the bushing here
http://www.mannmadeusa.com/support/vibrato-arm-bushing-removal-instructions/
Thanks. Sorry this is my first PRS. I have a fender and Gibson. So the tremolo arm is different and I am not sure how it works . I am thinking for PRS, I have to push in tremolo arm into the hole. If it is not tight, will it be fell out and not in the place? But how it can still be loose while in the place? So I think maybe it is not related to bushing or size? Might be related to something inside the hole? I am confused? I contacted seller and they said it need time to break in ? I am not convinced and confused. Maybe something wrong? Thanks
rbert0005
New Member
That’s what the set screw is for. It adjusts the tension from the bushing to the bar.
Did you raise a burr in the bushing while you were fooling around? That would make it tight.
Bob
Did you raise a burr in the bushing while you were fooling around? That would make it tight.
Bob
thanks Bob, I don’t know what you mean, I just pushed the bar into the hole then found it is very tight then I turned the set screw to make it loose and it never worked. Then I pulled the bar out, pushed it in again, play the guitar and use the bar that is all what I did. I think there might be something wrong. It is quite annoying for a brand new guitar. Thanks for help.
rbert0005
New Member
If you’re able to get it in and out you are good to go. There is no issue.
Bob
Bob
Thanks Bob. I am not that picky, since it is a brand new guitar, I'd like to make sure everything is fine before return window is closed. In my opinion, I am supposed to be able to adjust the set screw to make it tight and loose. I'd like to make it loose, since after I use the bar during play, I will drop it so it will not interfere with my next notes. Now everytime after I use it, I have to push the bar down manually. How can I repair it? Thanks
As others have said, it's normal for the bushing the arm sits in to be a bit snug at first. Since it's made of nylon or similar plastic, the bushing will loosen up over time due to wear. Some people like their tremolo arms loose, some like them tight. I prefer mine tight, so there's that.
However, you can certainly make the hole in the plastic material larger if it bothers you. Just use a straight shank hand reamer of whatever size you'd like the hole to be. Or you can use a lubricant, like silicone or graphite.
This minor adjustment is not a complicated problem, and there isn't a thing wrong with your guitar.
