Instructions

TREMLOCKER™ INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS

INCLUDED PARTS

(Qty 1) Assembled Tremolo Block complete with Thumb Screw, Arm Sleeve and Arm Friction Set Screw.
(Qty 1) Retractable Stop Assembly
(Qty 1) Small Allen Key
(Qty 2) Flat Head Wood Screws
(Qty 3) Flat Head Machine Screws

REQUIRED TOOLS and MATERIALS

Safety Glasses
Scale Ruler
Philips Screw Drivers (small #1 and medium #2)
Spring Hook Tool or Needle Nose Pliers
Sharp Awl
3/32 inch Drill Bit
Drill Motor or Hand Drill
Masking Tape
String Cutter and new set of Guitar Strings

SAFETY

Wearing safety glasses is recommended during the installation as removing and installing springs, loose string ends and operating power tools can pose significant eye hazards.

NOTE: Applying a VERY SMALL drop of light oil (example: 3-IN-ONE oil) carefully to the thumbscrew threads will assist smooth and quiet operation.

INSTALLATION

Before disassembling anything, it’s recommended to measure and take notes of the individual saddle’s positions in relation to the back edge of the bridge plate. This way you can reinstall them approximately the same, reducing the amount of adjustment required to intonate. Also, noting what string each removed saddle is associated with will reduce the amount of saddle height adjustment required (the outside saddles typically have shorter length saddle height adjustment screws than the middle saddles).
Remove the rear spring cavity cover plate from the guitar. Using a spring hook tool or needle nose pliers, carefully disconnect and remove the tremolo springs. Set springs aside to be reinstalled later.
Remove the strings and tremolo arm. (Two pivot point bridges such as the American Standard can now be removed from the guitar for the final disassembly, six screw bridges like the Vintage and Mexican Standard can be left assembled to the guitar)
Using a small screwdriver, remove each saddle intonation screw, spring and saddle itself, noting positions and saving all for re-installation.
Using a #2 Phillips screwdriver, remove the (3) machine screws attaching the original tremolo block to the bridge plate.
Through the back of the guitar, position the Tremlocker Block against the bridge plate lining up the string and screw holes, then attach using (3) machine screws. NOTE: If you removed the bridge plate from the guitar during disassembly, you will need to position it back on the guitar prior to attaching the Tremlocker Block. The Tremlocker Block will not pass through the narrow cutout on the front side of the guitar.
Temporarily install the tremolo arm, confirming the alignment of the hole through bridge plate with Tremlocker Block.
Reinstall the string saddles and adjust to their approximate positions using the measurements recorded in Step 1.
Using your fingers to simulate string tension, tilt the bridge plate up until the gap between the bridge plate and guitar body measured at the rear of the bridge plate is approximately 1/8 inch. Simultaneously turn the Thumb Screw out until it contacts the rear wall of the tremolo block cavity in the guitar body.
Install, stretch, and tune new strings in the normal fashion, maintaining the preferred float height at the rear of the bridge by adjusting the Thumb Screw on the Tremlocker Block. This height is normally set to about 1/8 inch in order to accomplish a full step pitch increase on the 1^st string (E), with half step increases on the 2^nd (B) and 3^rd (G) strings.
Manipulate the Retractable Stop Assembly, latching the stop pin in the fully extended position. The fully extended position is when the stop pin extends out from the body of the assembly opposite the spring end and is latched in the notch.
Double check and confirm that the bridge plate remains at the desired height above the body (1/8 inch) as previously set.
Position and hold the extended Retractable Stop Assembly in the center of the tremolo spring cavity of the guitar body with the extended end of the stop pin (opposite the spring end) contacting the protruding portion of the Tremlocker Block, directly in line with the Thumb Screw.
Using a sharp awl, while holding the Retractable Stop Assembly in contact with the Tremlocker Block, carefully mark the guitar body for the center of one screw hole.
Drill a pilot hole at the mark using a 3/32” drill bit, marked with tape to drill about 1/2" deep.
Using a provided wood screw and #2 Phillips screwdriver, fasten the Retractable Stop Assembly in place.
With the stop pin in contact with the Tremlocker Block, mark for, drill and insert the second wood screw as previously done.
Install the tremolo springs.
Install the tremolo arm, making certain the threads engage at least 5 turns.
With the Retractable Stop extended and the Thumb Screw securely holding the Tremlocker Block against the Retractable Stop (locked configuration), adjust the action, saddle heights and intonation as you would on a fixed bridge guitar.
Confirm the guitar is in tune with the Tremlocker locked. Now, unlock the Tremlocker by turn the Thumb Screw into the Tremlocker Block until it is firmly seated, then manipulate (retract) the Retractable Stop so that the Tremlocker Block is free to travel in either direction in a full floating manner. Using ONLY the two screws at the spring claw to adjust spring tension, bring the guitar back in tune. The guitar should now be in tune both while full floating and locked. Until it stabilizes, the tremolo bridge may need to be exercised (full dives) a few times, then locked and tuned at the tuning machines, then unlocked (full floating) and brought back into tune with the spring claw screws.
NOTE: Tremlocker Model VN (Vintage) blocks require the original tremolo arm be replaced with a longer American Standard arm with 10-32 threads. Model AS (American Standard) accepts the original 10-32 threaded arm while Model MS (Mexican Standard) accepts the original metric 5mm threaded arm.
The tremolo arm may require some minor bending to assure full travel above the volume knob when threaded sufficiently (preferably about 8 turns) into the Tremolo Block. ALWAYS REMOVE THE TREMOLO ARM BEFORE BENDING, NEVER ATTEMPT TO BEND THE TREMOLO ARM WHILE THREADED INTO THE TREMOLO BLOCK. It is recommended to hold the tremolo arm while bending by clamping it between two wood blocks as close to the first bend as possible while protecting the threads.
The tremolo arm friction can be adjusted by carefully inserting the provided Allen Key between the bridge plate and guitar body to adjust the friction screw the desired amount. This should only be done with the arm in place.