Anybody found/designed an less bulbous alternative for the tremolo hinge plate mounting screws?

[HarktheUmpire]

Is the top plate itself threaded for the screws to hold on to? I remember doing this years ago and I seem to remember the screws aren't actually screwed in to the top plate and so the only screw actually holding the thing together is the middle one. I may well be wrong though, my memory is very hazy from back then.

I believe so. Or at least I turned mine around years ago (on an AVRI unit) and haven't had issues since. They're definitely not hanging in loose, and keeping stuff held together like before.

[thegreatbigsby]

Is the top plate itself threaded for the screws to hold on to? I remember doing this years ago and I seem to remember the screws aren't actually screwed in to the top plate and so the only screw actually holding the thing together is the middle one. I may well be wrong though, my memory is very hazy from back then.

I believe so. Or at least I turned mine around years ago and haven't had issues since. They're definitely not hanging in loose, and keeping stuff held together like before.

Yep, it's threaded. Works like a charm.

[PapaB]

Great solution, HarktheUmpire .... And very helpful info. Thanks.

[andare]

Would it kill Fender/Squier to move those screws in a few mm so that they don't sit right under the E strings? They did it with the Panorama, they can do it with every other part too. What was Leo thinking?

Soldering the winds on the high E has solved the issue for me because even with the proper bridge height, the string was rubbing against the screw when I depressed the vibrato arm.

[HarktheUmpire]

What was Leo thinking?

The original screws aren't fully round, they have flattened tops. So they cause no problems.

[andare]

What was Leo thinking?

The original screws aren't fully round, they have flattened tops. So they cause no problems.

Then why did Fender switch to round head screws?
Still, moving them inward would allow for any screw to be used. It seems a simple enough solution for future proofing the design.

[HarktheUmpire]

What was Leo thinking?

The original screws aren't fully round, they have flattened tops. So they cause no problems.

Then why did Fender switch to round head screws?

I’m only pointing out that Leo had nothing to do with it. I don’t know why Fender switched to round screws. I suppose they couldn’t source the right, flattened top ones anymore. And I agree, moving them a couple mm’s would be a good solution.

Anyway, I’d just flip them over as mentioned before. It’s easy, costs nothing, and your won’t need to do any more soldering.

[Horsefeather]

Is the top plate itself threaded for the screws to hold on to? I remember doing this years ago and I seem to remember the screws aren't actually screwed in to the top plate and so the only screw actually holding the thing together is the middle one. I may well be wrong though, my memory is very hazy from back then.

Despite someone else's claim above that the holes in the plate are threaded, I will second your assertion that they are not. When I had mine apart to deal with this problem, I mocked up the flipped screw "solution" and was mystified that anyone would consider it a proper solution, as my plate holes were certainly not threaded. I will wager that none are. It doesn't makes sense that they would be, as it would be contrary to the intended design, wherein the screw passes through the plate to fasten to the piece below it and squeeze the plate. Having threads in both pieces being held together would thwart the intended function.

The screw flip is silly and should not be considered a proper fix. I won't argue that people get away with it but they are in fact changing the mechanics of the assembly, turning it into a single attachment point with two locating dowels. Apparently this retains enough clamping force to stay together, as this seems like a common technique, but it's inferior to the original setup.

[andy_tchp]

The screw flip is silly and should not be considered a proper fix. I won't argue that people get away with it but they are in fact changing the mechanics of the assembly, turning it into a single attachment point with two locating dowels. Apparently this retains enough clamping force to stay together, as this seems like a common technique, but it's inferior to the original setup.

^ 100% agreed.

Just file the tops. Takes a few minutes.

Or shim the neck to allow the bridge to be raised higher so this isn't an issue.

[andare]

The original screws aren't fully round, they have flattened tops. So they cause no problems.

Then why did Fender switch to round head screws?

I’m only pointing out that Leo had nothing to do with it. I don’t know why Fender switched to round screws. I suppose they couldn’t source the right, flattened top ones anymore. And I agree, moving them a couple mm’s would be a good solution.

Anyway, I’d just flip them over as mentioned before. It’s easy, costs nothing, and your won’t need to do any more soldering.

As it happens, I have a couple of stripped screws (courtesy of Squier's stellar choice in metal in the plate so removing it is tough. I'll do it only if I ever decide to put in a Fender vibrato, which I doubt since the stock one is working fine for my needs.
I change strings once a year, maybe, and I have a soldering iron going at all times, so soldering the high E is the most convenient solution for me atm.

What is said about the holes not being threaded makes total sense.
Having to file down the tops of the screws is just another absurd thing that seems to be required to make offsets functional...
I like my JM despite all its quirks because I didn't have to do several of these fixes but still, no wonder so many people gave up on them. Maybe it's the same reasons why we love them!

[HarktheUmpire]

The screw flip is silly and should not be considered a proper fix. I won't argue that people get away with it but they are in fact changing the mechanics of the assembly, turning it into a single attachment point with two locating dowels. Apparently this retains enough clamping force to stay together, as this seems like a common technique, but it's inferior to the original setup.

^ 100% agreed.

Just file the tops. Takes a few minutes.

Or shim the neck to allow the bridge to be raised higher so this isn't an issue.

Those are both better solutions, yeah.

[mixed_states]

Maybe this can help:

https://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussi ... my-mind/p3

I've just ordered 8 screws from westfieldfasteners; I hope their head is lower than original, otherwise I will file them.

[JackFawkes]

Please let us know how the head compares to the stock screw when you receive them!

Jack

[Synchro]

I found https://www.amazon.com/Phillips-Machin ... r=1-4&th=1 at Amazon. These might be a pretty good option.

[andy_tchp]

Colour me baffled.

All of the replacements posted recently look exactly the same as the 'problematic' originals