One of the last pieces of plastic that I feel is the most important part of all, the Tremolo Arm Tip. Somewhere after the 80's, Fender had developed a different process in manufacturing Tremolo Arm Tips. Why is this important in the Black Strat build? Well if you have to ask, do you know how David adds presence and emotion to the notes he play? Yep, that little arm at the bottom of the guitar controls the vibrato to the strings. And on that little arm is a tip in which he holds on to give the subtle vibrations to the notes he play.
This is a Montreux 60's Style Tremolo Arm Tip. Just like its knobs and pickup covers, this tremolo arm tip is made with the same nylon material and shaped from an actual tremolo arm tip from 1962.
What you are seeing here is an original 70's Tremolo Arm Tip. I had obtained this through a friend and the Montreux Tip looks and takes the exact shape of it. The reason i'm not using this tip as of yet is because of the custom Tremolo Arm that I will have made for my preference (in regards to Gilmour's specs). Until then, the Montreux will take its place, temporarily or possibly permanent?
 |
| L: Standard Genuine Fender Tremolo Tip; C: Montreux '62 Tremolo Tip; R: Genuine 70's Fender Tremolo Tip |
So why does it matter? Notice the photo in the comparisons to the other tremolo arm tips. On the new tremolo arm tips, notice the lip at the end of the opening. Do you see how thick it is compared to the Montreux and even the Genuine 70's Fender tip? For as long as I recall playing the Tremolo on a Strat, this little piece of plastic deterred me from using the arm, since it always felt uncomfortable in the hands having that sharp lip in the palm of your hands. I've tried polishing it, sanding it, grinding it. It never works out like the original ones, until Montreux stepped in that is. This will be a definite plus in playability since it allows the player to use the arm with nothing to catch on, and is comfortably smooth all around.
That's all the plastic pieces I can think of that is critical in the Black Strat Build. I know I haven't gone over the Rear Tremolo Plate Cover, but that will be on the assembly, since there is an option since the original does not have one (in fact, he does! Look at page 198 on the Third Edition of The Black Strat by Phil Taylor, it's an aged white Rear Tremolo Cover Plate!) and leaves you with possibilities. Most likely i'll use a black Rear Tremolo Cover Plate off a Fender Custom Shop Strat! Now it's off to find some more Black Strat secrets! What's next? Hey, what about those Potentiometers I've seen on the real Black Strat? You guess it, there's something about those too! Off to the book!
David Sarmiento
