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Schaller Tremolos


dmic

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Hello,

Is anyone out there familiar with installing a Schaller Tremolo system? I was wondering if there were any tutorials online. I haven't found any so far.....

I've routed the hole for the main part (the saddle/tremolo hardware) but I'm getting stuck on the springs and the two posts. This is a brand new guitar body with no holes in it yet (except for the main part I mentioned above)...

Thanks,

dmic

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Is anyone out there familiar with installing a Schaller Tremolo system?

Yes. What about the spring cavity and posts is giving you trouble?

Hello,

Well I'm not exactly sure how to install them. I have another guitar that I can look for reference but once I start drilling holes there's no turning back and the posts seem to be the important holes to drill in terms of spacing from the tremolo hardware and lining up with the neck. I was hoping there would be some sites on the net that detailed some of the installation process.

dmic

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Do you have routing templates? Stewmac sells them and I'm sure there are some on Ebay also. Theones that stewmac comes with also have instructions. You might be able to find those instructions on the stewmac website for free.

The first thing that they say to do is mark the post hole positions (from one of their templates). You can find a drawing of the hole positions here at PG in one of the pinned topics, I think. Then drill a 1/2" hole all the way through the body where the inertia block passes through. The inertia block cavity is then routed using the 1/2 hole as it's top right corner (viewing from above) to a depth of about 1 9/16", I think. Then flip the body over and route the spring cavity to about 3/4" deep. Finish by routing the rest of the inertia block cavity while working on the bottom side of the body.

If you are recessing the bridge then you flip the body to the top side. Drill the post holes very carefully and then route for the recess areas.

The post holes for the standard posts are usually drilled with a 25/64 bit if I remember correctly (I think 10mm may work just as well). For the thinner stewmac posts (sold as replacements) - I don't remember the size. You should use a drill press for this if possible. If you don't have one or have access to one, try to make a jig to hold the bit properly during drilling. It's worth trying to find someone with a drill press in my opinion.

That was not the most detailed description but I wanted to pass along what I remember as the basic steps. Double check my measurements and drill bit sizes.

Here's the drawing I was talking about - Trem Routing

Let me know if you need more details.

Dave

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this may seem like a dumb question, but you do know where the scale mark on the bridge is in relation to the center of the posts correct? cause you can't just guess where the posts go, this matters less if you're making your own neck, but you should still already have planned exactly where the bridge needs to be placed.

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