Problem with Kahler tremolo

[Fretbuzzed]

So I just got a G&L Tribute Series Rampage Jerry Cantrell Signature Model for Christmas and so far I am really happy with how it feels and sound however, I had problems attaching the tremolo arm into the tremolo. Only to realize that there is a white block thingy blocking it... so if anyone knows how to get rid of it or fix this please reply. Pictures of what I'm talking about is below.

http://imgur.com/a/zMklv (The arm goes into the hole furthest to the right.)

 

[jammin1]

That's strange. I took a look at the one on my Charvel and it goes straight thru. Maybe get a small drill bit and tap it to see what kind of material it is. When you screw the arm in is it sloppy? Maybe it is a epoxy or something?
Or an arm that snapped off? Hard to tell by the pic. Keep us updated. I'm curious to hear what it is.

 

[racerevlon]

Get a pair of needle-nose and see if you can pull it out. Looks like someone may have stuck a Floyd arm in there and the plastic collar came off. The Kahler Flyer trem arm should be threaded and screw in.

HTH

 

[Rayneman]

I have one of those Cantrell Rampages, and that thing definitely shouldn't be in there.

Yank that thing out!

 

[CaseyCor]

Looks like the collar from a Floyd bar. Someone prolly stuck the wrong bar in there at some point.

 

[LanierP]

Is it new or used. Could be that the previous owner put that in there to take out some arm wobble, or to reduce metal to metal 'shriek' when letting the arm fall down after use. Also, Some guys like a stiff arm that stays where you move it thing, which is better done with Teflon tape around the arm threads. Of course, it could be the moron that tried to put a Floyd arm with the collar in there, but I don't think those arms even have threads. If you have a magnifying glass, or even zoom in with your video on you phone with the light on and see if you and see what she is. Keep us posted. If it's a new guitar, there no way that should be there.

 

[Fretbuzzed]

Get a pair of needle-nose and see if you can pull it out. Looks like someone may have stuck a Floyd arm in there and the plastic collar came off.

So I tried using a needle nose plier to scrape or pull it out but thats not working. Its stuck there, any more idea on how to remove it?

Is it new or used.

It should be new, I just got it from Musician's Friend.

 

[LanierP]

If you can, send a picture of the threaded end of your trem arm. When u try to thread the arm into the trem, will it grab hold of any threads at all, or does the obstruction keep it from doing so?

 

[Fretbuzzed]

If you can, send a picture of the threaded end of your trem arm. When u try to thread the arm into the trem, will it grab hold of any threads at all, or does the obstruction keep it from doing so?

Yeah the obstruction blocks it from threading in and makes the arm unable to grab hold of any threads. Here's a picture of the threaded end of the arm.

http://i.imgur.com/nVP40GX.jpg

 

[LanierP]

Ok, you got me really racking my brain on this one but here a thought. The obstruction may be like a thread protector that is placed in there at the factory or something. Does it look like the obstruction can be backed out with a smaller Phillips head screwdriver? Look down in there and see if there is any shape to the inner walls of the obstruction. Maybe even and Allen wrench. The obstruction is clearly hanging on to the threads of the hole, so maybe try a screwdriver or Allen wrench that can get down into it snugly, an while applying slight pressure thru cocking the angle of the Allen wrench or screwdriver, backing it out of there counterclockwise. Another option would be to take the Kahler completely off the guitar(two screws, not a major operation, just be slow and methodical), and see what this thing looks like from the underside of the trem. The threaded channel for the bar should go all the way thru. There is a video on Kahlerusa.com which has Gary Kahler showing you the trem from top to bottom. It may be advised to watch this first so you can get familiar with what the anatomy of this trem is. Keep me posted man. We got to get you whammying away on this thing.
Len

 

[Fretbuzzed]

Does it look like the obstruction can be backed out with a smaller Phillips head screwdriver? Look down in there and see if there is any shape to the inner walls of the obstruction. Maybe even and Allen wrench.

I looked in there and that dosent seem to be the case.

Another option would be to take the Kahler completely off the guitar(two screws, not a major operation, just be slow and methodical), and see what this thing looks like from the underside of the trem. The threaded channel for the bar should go all the way thru. There is a video on Kahlerusa.com which has Gary Kahler showing you the trem from top to bottom. It may be advised to watch this first so you can get familiar with what the anatomy of this trem is. Keep me posted man. We got to get you whammying away on this thing. Len

Im not comfortable with doing that yet as the kahler tremolo is new to me and i dont want to mess it up. Ive seen the GK vidoes on Youtube before which made me even more surprised when i found that thing in there as it is not mentioned in the vidoes. Ive also tried messing with the arm clutch(the hole besides the one the arm goes into)thinking that it could be that but its not... still stuck there and not moving at all. Anyways heres another picture of it with slightly better lighting.

http://i.imgur.com/jeonRjKh.jpg

 

[LanierP]

Ok. In the pic it looks like only half of the obstruction is there, where as bare threads are visible on the other side of the shaft. (You pic is a bit at an angle so I can see the other side). So, you tried grabbing it with needle nose? They make a very small pair of needle nose that really is what's needed here. Best I can do now is to suggest a few off the wall things to get it out. Can u get a pair of cuticle nipped down in the and nip away at it from the center first. This is going to sound off the wall but maybe if you have a soldering gun, get in the and melt the fucken thing Ned see if that help loosed it up. Or maybe get sewing needle and push it through the largest part of the obstruction. Then slightly hook the end of a high E string and try to get it through it. With needle nose try and grab the end underneath the obstruction and the try and pull it out that way. Long shot I know. Let me think this through a little more man.

 

[LanierP]

Maybe chopstick and try to work it out of there. A chopstick or wooden shishkab stick it good for poking and prodding without damaging the threads.

 

[halebox]

Drill. Perhaps someone wanted arm to ride high and be snug so they plugged it

 

[messenger]

I'd just return it.

 

[Fretbuzzed]

I'd just return it.

I waited quite a while for it, I really don't want to wait again. I'm thinking of bringing it to a shop to ask if they could remove it for me since the guitar needs a setup too.

 

[LanierP]

Any update amigo?

 

[dirtyfunkg]

Get a pair of needle-nose and see if you can pull it out. Looks like someone may have stuck a Floyd arm in there and the plastic collar came off.

So I tried using a needle nose plier to scrape or pull it out but thats not working. Its stuck there, any more idea on how to remove it?

Is it new or used.

It should be new, I just got it from Musician's Friend.

I wouldn't be too sure it's new, new. MF is notorious for sending open-box items and calling them new. I'd return and exchange it. I just had the same thing happen with a KPA with them. Box had definitely been opened, manual bent, etc.

 

[Fretbuzzed]

Apologies for the late reply, I managed to remove it with a flat head screwdriver by scraping it out. Not the prettiest way to get rid of it but now the arm goes in nicely. Thanks everyone for the advice

 

[LanierP]

Glad to hear man. Having a Kahler without a bar is like having balls without a dick,,,pointless!!!
Rock on Chief!