E-series Squier: which replacement tem arm fits?

[el Reclusa]

Hi all. Putting an '80s MIJ E-series Squier back together, and I have to say I'm impressed so far. One thing it still needs is a trem arm. Which replacement is the right size? Would an American Fender replacement work? Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[Ausquier]

50/50 chance in that era. If you posted a pic of the bridge I should be able to work it out. General rule is solid cast saddles is metric and pressed saddles are imperial.

 

[el Reclusa]

Sadly, the display on my camera is broken, but it has the "vintage" style stamped steel saddles, and if I'm not mistaken, aside from the 80s-era roller string trees and period machine heads, I think these are supposed to be fairly close to old-style specs? I have a good feeling the American, 57/62 style arm would work, but if anybody knows for sure, I'd rather not buy one that doesn't! Thanks for the insight Ausquier!

 

[Ausquier]

Arms are $4us each, Replacement Tremolo Arms. I'd just get one of both. ;-) Its probably Imperial but there is no way to be 100% sure without trying. You could also try a local music store and see if they will let you bung one in.

Is it E9 or E10?

 

[Hugh]

Sadly, the display on my camera is broken, but it has the "vintage" style stamped steel saddles, and if I'm not mistaken, aside from the 80s-era roller string trees and period machine heads, I think these are supposed to be fairly close to old-style specs? I have a good feeling the American, 57/62 style arm would work, but if anybody knows for sure, I'd rather not buy one that doesn't! Thanks for the insight Ausquier!

I have an E series block, but I can't get to it until after work Monday around 1 pm. If you don't know by then, I'll find out. I have metric and standard arms here.

 

[CeltRocka]

Although a lot of MIJ strats use vintage spec bridges with Fender stamped saddles,the block will be threaded M5[5mm]

 

[Ausquier]

In my experience that's not correct. My Squier from that era is imperial with pressed saddles.

 

[CeltRocka]

A 10 -32 UNF arm will screw into a 5mm thread,giving the impression of a 10 32 thread.If a 5mm arm fits as well its a 5mm thread

 

[el Reclusa]

Ok...so this brings me to another question/idea: GFS offers solid steel (and brass) trem blocks. Anybody tried one? Is the improvement enough to make it worth messing with? Also, does anyone know which one they offer would fit this guitar? If I went with one, that'd sort out the trem arm issue- I'd just buy whichever one goes with that block.

 

[Hugh]

I just tried it with an '80's E series block, or at least the block that came on an old E series I bought off cl. It's a full size zinc block if that helps ID it as a E series block. The arm that came with a Squier Classic Vibe treads right in and isn't wobbly. My Callaham arm threads in but is very wobbly. So I'm guessing it's 5mm. As noted by CeltRocka.

 

[Hugh]

Ok...so this brings me to another question/idea: GFS offers solid steel (and brass) trem blocks. Anybody tried one? Is the improvement enough to make it worth messing with? Also, does anyone know which one they offer would fit this guitar? If I went with one, that'd sort out the trem arm issue- I'd just buy whichever one goes with that block.

I'd suggest one from CeltRocka or if the enhanced block and arm length options sound appealing, call Callaham.

 

[Ausquier]

5mm arms don't fit my S9 I'm pretty sure I tried already. I will have a look tonight tho.

 

[Hugh]

5mm arms don't fit my S9 I'm pretty sure I tried already. I will have a look tonight tho.

Well, just because my E series came with the 5mm block doesn't mean it's the stock block. Did they have full size zinc blocks then ?

 

[Ausquier]

E9 did I think, E10 not so sure. In any case there seems to be some mix and match going on with MIA/MIJ and MIK parts in that era so there is no hard and fast rule.

 

[Hugh]

E9 did I think, E10 not so sure. In any case there seems to be some mix and match going on with MIA/MIJ and MIK parts in that era so there is no hard and fast rule.

Ok, so it would be best for him to just take it to a shop and try arms there and find the one that fits.

 

[el Reclusa]

Ok, so it would be best for him to just take it to a shop and try arms there and find the one that fits.

Sounds like it...or just buy two arms and return the one that doesn't fit! Mine's an E7 serial, btw...at least I think that's the nomenclature, right? Here's a TDPRI thread witha few pics, from when I first got it months ago:

NGD:'87 E-Series Squire Strat! - Telecaster Guitar Forum

Since then, it's got a mint pickguard, a set of Wilkinson pickups (maybe not my first choice, but I got them in a trade and figured I'd try 'em out. Actually awaiting a replacement bridge unit in the mail, since the one I got was dead, so the jury's still out as far as how much I like 'em), CTS 250K pots wired master volume and master tone, .o22 Orange Drop tone cap, Switchcraft 5-way and jack, an Allparts jack cup thingy, a blender pot from Acme, eleven shiny new pickguard screws...if my camera wasn't recently broken I'd take pics of it as it is now.

 

[Hugh]

Surely in KC you can find a shop with both Squier and MIA Strats. That's the simple way to make sure.

 

[Tele like it is]

Ok...so this brings me to another question/idea: GFS offers solid steel (and brass) trem blocks. Anybody tried one? Is the improvement enough to make it worth messing with? Also, does anyone know which one they offer would fit this guitar? If I went with one, that'd sort out the trem arm issue- I'd just buy whichever one goes with that block.

I haven't tried the GFS blocks, but have heard from dozens of folks who have. If you have a zink block the steel is absolutely worth is in the added clearity it offers (Ok, so most people can't hear the differance, but it feels like it sounds better. At any rate, then you'll be able to fit the right arm AND you'll be able to brag about the steel block!

 

[Ausquier]

Well, just because my E series came with the 5mm block doesn't mean it's the stock block. Did they have full size zinc blocks then ?

Just to confirm, a metric arm is way to fat to fit in my S9 and the block is full sized zinc. As far as I can see its definitely a US made trem. Also, its one owner (me ) so I know its not been changed.

 

[CeltRocka]

Just to confirm, a metric arm is way to fat to fit in my S9 and the block is full sized zinc. As far as I can see its definitely a US made trem. Also, its one owner (me ) so I know its not been changed.

Are you sure your metric arm is 5mm and not 6mm. A 5mm arm is very close to 10 32 and will thread in a few turns before seizing