whammy bar thread question (and size too)

  • Thread starter Thread starter mixmkr
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mixmkr

mixmkr

we don't need rest!!
So...my whammy bar on my 88 Am St Strat is different than my 95 MiM strat, than on my '05 Roland ready strat (size, shape and threads). I would like to get a smaller length whammy for my new Roland ready, but how the heck am I supposed to know what thread size to get?..., and even the ones for sale don't seem to offer a thread size in the description.

I would like to get a couple of bars, to experiment bending them around to see what I'd really might like, since they aren't all that expensive anyway.

So... thread size... and where is a good place to get them, knowing you'll end up with the right size/item? Ebay sure has lots of them, but it would seem I would be making a $5 guess on each purchase. My local Fender dealer (next closest is hour drive or more) doesn't have any really in stock, unfortunately.
 
Best thing is to mic it and try the threads with a thread gauge. Any machine shops in your area? they could do it in an instant. If you can wait till the morning I'll have a root round in the shed for a thread gauge, I have one somewhere. I've got an '86 MIA and I'll mic it and post the results.
Clive
 
Back, Christ I've got some junk in there, anyway the '86 MIA is .1875" which is 3/16" and 32 threads per inch which is the same as the British Standard Fine. As US and Brit. thread sizes are generally the same TPI (except for a couple), different thread angle tho', I suspect it will be UNF, but any way those are the measurements and hopefully they should be the same 2 years apart.(?)
 
wow..thanks for the measurements and responses. In all honesty, I don't want to drive during work hours to a machine shop and have them tell me thread size, etc. And...unfortunately, I am interested in the new '05 Roland thread size instead of the Amer. Stand size. I suppose any regular whammy bar for a MiM strat should fit, except all the ones I am finding for sale are for the American series guitars. All these thread sizes I would say are ALMOST the same, IF NOT the same. But there is JUST enough difference that they are not interchangeable....and I know what I just said probably doesn't make sense.

Maybe the best bet is to find a Fender dealer online and order that way.
 
I think I misread your post, on looking I see the reference to the MIM. Mexico is metric so that will change things around considerably. 3/16 converts to 4.75mm which is not stock so you can pretty much bet it is 5mm and metric threads come in a totally different system, pitch as being between the points of the thread to the next thread as opposed to threads per inch, they won't fit the imperial system.
 
Again...thanks very much, Clive. You have been a big help, and I think I have found some internet sources for MIM trem bars.
 
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