New Fender strat vintage tremolo - bad alignment between base plate and block??

[osing]

Hi,

I just bought a brand new Fender vintage (left hand) bridge/tremolo, and when I inserted the trem arm is did not fit well at all. Due to a misalignment of the hole in the base plate and the hole in the steel block, the arm needs to some degree be forced in. After removing the trem arm, it now has minor visible scars from having been forced in (not on the threaded part, but directly above the threaded part - a clear indication to me that it does not fit the way I would expect it to). I tried loosening the three screws in the baseplate and align the baseplate and tighten again, but it did not work as the countersunk screws simply force the baseplate back to where it wants to go. I read somewhere after having tried this that this loosening and realignment should be done with the trem arm inserted. I have not tried that yet, but I don't see how that would fix the underlying issue of the holes being somewhat misaligned.

Is this really the norm with these vintage bridges/tremolos, or is it possible that mine is a little out of spec? In other words, if I return it and buy another, will I likely end up with the same issue?

If you have any experience with this, I'd love to know!

[G._Hoffman]

Well, WHEN I can get those trems from Fender (which can be difficult), I've never had a problem with that.  If it were me, I'd send it back to Fender and get another one. 

Or, I'd return it, and get one made by Gotoh.  That would probably be more reliable.


Gabriel

[osing]

Thanks for your input. I will send it back then!

[Ritchie200]

Gabriel,
What is your opinion of the other Gotoh products?

THanks!
Jim

[G._Hoffman]

Gabriel,
What is your opinion of the other Gotoh products?

THanks!
Jim

Depends on the particular product.  They make the whole range of stuff, from dirt cheap to the 510 line which I think is some of the nicest hardware on the market (certainly the best tuners).  In general, with Gotoh, you get what you pay for.  If they are selling it cheap, there is probably a reason, but if they are charging a lot for it there is also a good reason.


Gabriel