What is included in the Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit?

The kit includes one chrome-plated tremolo arm, two tremolo arm tips, and tremolo arm tension springs. These components allow for a full installation or restoration of a vintage-style vibrato system.

What is the primary finish of the tremolo arm?

The tremolo arm features a high-quality chrome-plated finish. This provides a reflective, durable surface that is period-correct for 1960s Fender instruments.

Does this kit work with modern Stratocasters?

Yes, it is designed to be ideal for both vintage and most modern Stratocasters. As long as the guitar uses a vintage-style threaded tremolo block, this kit should be compatible.

Why are there two tremolo arm tips included in the kit?

The two tips are provided to ensure the user can match the aesthetic of their specific instrument. This is useful for maintaining period-correct accuracy across different guitar finishes and plastic parts.

What is the purpose of the included tension springs?

The tension springs are placed inside the tremolo block's threaded hole before the arm is screwed in. They provide resistance that prevents the arm from swinging freely, allowing it to stay in the player's preferred position.

Is this kit suitable for a vintage restoration project?

Yes, it is specifically designed for personalizing, modifying, or restoring Fender Stratocasters to period-correct specifications. It is part of the Pure Vintage line which prioritizes historical accuracy.

What era of Stratocaster does this kit replicate?

The kit is specifically designed to replicate the hardware specifications of the 1960s. This includes the arm's shape, the plating, and the style of the tips.

How does this arm compare to the American Standard Stratocaster tremolo arm?

The American Standard arm is often designed for modern two-point synchronized tremolos and may have different threading or snap-in designs. This Pure Vintage kit is specifically modeled after the traditional 60s threaded design.

Can I use this kit on a Fender Jazzmaster?

No, this kit is designed specifically for the Stratocaster bridge system. The Jazzmaster uses a completely different tremolo tailpiece assembly and arm design.

What is the typical price for this kit in the UK?

The typical price range for the Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit is approximately GBP 32. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock levels.

Is the arm threaded or a 'pop-in' style?

This is a vintage-style arm, which means it is threaded. It is intended to be screwed into the bridge block, assisted by the included tension springs.

Will this arm fit a Squier Stratocaster?

It may fit some Squier models that use vintage-spec hardware, but many Squier bridges use metric threading. Users should verify if their bridge block accepts standard US vintage-spec threads before purchasing.

Gear article

Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit

The Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit is a vintage-accurate replacement hardware set designed for both classic and modern Fender Stratocaster electric guitars. It includes a chrome-plated tremolo arm, dedicated tension springs, and two distinct tremolo arm tips to facilitate authentic period-correct restoration or modification.

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Overview

The Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit serves as a comprehensive solution for guitarists seeking to maintain the historical integrity of their instruments. Part of Fender’s Pure Vintage series, this kit provides individual components manufactured to 1960s-era specifications. The kit is primarily used to replace lost or damaged arms on vintage-style bridges, or to upgrade modern instruments with period-correct hardware.

Design and Construction

The central component of the kit is a high-quality, chrome-plated tremolo arm. Its physical profile is designed to match the specific bends and angles found on mid-20th-century Fender instruments. Unlike basic replacement arms, this kit includes two separate tremolo arm tips, allowing the user to select the specific aesthetic that best matches their pickguard and control knobs. Additionally, the kit includes tremolo arm tension springs, which are inserted into the bridge block to prevent the arm from swinging loosely.

Historical Context

During the 1960s, the Stratocaster's tremolo (vibrato) system became a defining feature of popular music. Fender's Pure Vintage line aims to replicate the precise feel and look of this hardware. By offering a kit that includes tension springs and multiple tip options, Fender ensures that restorers can achieve a level of detail that standard individual parts might lack. This focus on period-correct accuracy is essential for those maintaining high-value vintage instruments or 'reissue' models.

Compatibility and Installation

While designed to 1960s specifications, the kit is compatible with a wide range of Fender Stratocasters. It is ideally suited for:

Vintage-series Stratocasters
Modern-era Stratocasters with vintage-style bridge assemblies
Custom builds requiring 60s-style hardware

Installation requires threading the arm into the bridge block. The included tension springs are a critical inclusion, as they provide the necessary resistance to keep the arm positioned exactly where the player requires it during performance.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to modern-standard replacements, such as the Fender American Standard Stratocaster Tremolo Bridge components, the Pure Vintage 60s kit focuses on historical aesthetics rather than contemporary modifications. While Gotoh or other third-party manufacturers offer bridge parts like the Gotoh 203B-4 for bass or various guitar bridges, the Fender Pure Vintage kit is the specific choice for players who demand brand-correct authenticity. It offers a more complete aesthetic package than buying a single arm due to the inclusion of the two-tip set.

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Frequently asked questions

What is included in the Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit?: The kit includes one chrome-plated tremolo arm, two tremolo arm tips, and tremolo arm tension springs. These components allow for a full installation or restoration of a vintage-style vibrato system.
What is the primary finish of the tremolo arm?: The tremolo arm features a high-quality chrome-plated finish. This provides a reflective, durable surface that is period-correct for 1960s Fender instruments.
Does this kit work with modern Stratocasters?: Yes, it is designed to be ideal for both vintage and most modern Stratocasters. As long as the guitar uses a vintage-style threaded tremolo block, this kit should be compatible.
Why are there two tremolo arm tips included in the kit?: The two tips are provided to ensure the user can match the aesthetic of their specific instrument. This is useful for maintaining period-correct accuracy across different guitar finishes and plastic parts.
What is the purpose of the included tension springs?: The tension springs are placed inside the tremolo block's threaded hole before the arm is screwed in. They provide resistance that prevents the arm from swinging freely, allowing it to stay in the player's preferred position.
Is this kit suitable for a vintage restoration project?: Yes, it is specifically designed for personalizing, modifying, or restoring Fender Stratocasters to period-correct specifications. It is part of the Pure Vintage line which prioritizes historical accuracy.
What era of Stratocaster does this kit replicate?: The kit is specifically designed to replicate the hardware specifications of the 1960s. This includes the arm's shape, the plating, and the style of the tips.
How does this arm compare to the American Standard Stratocaster tremolo arm?: The American Standard arm is often designed for modern two-point synchronized tremolos and may have different threading or snap-in designs. This Pure Vintage kit is specifically modeled after the traditional 60s threaded design.
Can I use this kit on a Fender Jazzmaster?: No, this kit is designed specifically for the Stratocaster bridge system. The Jazzmaster uses a completely different tremolo tailpiece assembly and arm design.
What is the typical price for this kit in the UK?: The typical price range for the Fender Pure Vintage 60s Stratocaster Tremolo Arm Kit is approximately GBP 32. Prices may vary slightly depending on the retailer and current stock levels.
Is the arm threaded or a 'pop-in' style?: This is a vintage-style arm, which means it is threaded. It is intended to be screwed into the bridge block, assisted by the included tension springs.
Will this arm fit a Squier Stratocaster?: It may fit some Squier models that use vintage-spec hardware, but many Squier bridges use metric threading. Users should verify if their bridge block accepts standard US vintage-spec threads before purchasing.