Sourcing Vibrato arm for (1980s) SC-1.

Sat Mar 05, 2016 11:36 am

Does anyone know if there is a source for a replacement vibrato arm for a (1980s) G&L SC-1 other than these expensive reproductions?

http://electricstringedinstrument.com/esi/store.html

I have been in contact with G&L, but the arm they sent me is too thick.

Anyone used a Stratocaster arm as per this blurb regarding the early 1980s models? http://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/p ... m-pre-2005

"If you have an early- to mid-1980s G&L model such as SC-3 or F-100 which uses a screw-in vibrato arm, our recommendation is to use a vibrato arm for a USA Fender Stratocaster equipped with the vintage style vibrato. Screw-in Fender Stratocaster vibrato arms are available from many retailers such as Stewart-MacDonald or Allparts. Note that the early G&L vibratos using screw-in arms had black plastic tips. Often retailers will sell replacement arms with white tips but will sell different color arm tips separately."

Anyone know which of these is the correct one?

https://www.allparts.com/search.asp?key ... arm&catid=

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... olo_Parts/

Re: Sourcing Vibrato arm for (1980s) SC-1.

Sat Mar 05, 2016 2:22 pm

the ESI would be just like the original if that bothers you ??...... otherwise get one of the cheap Fenders in one of the bottom link you posted

Re: Sourcing Vibrato arm for (1980s) SC-1.

Sat Mar 05, 2016 10:38 pm

blesscurse wrote:Does anyone know if there is a source for a replacement vibrato arm for a (1980s) G&L SC-1 other than these expensive reproductions?

http://electricstringedinstrument.com/esi/store.html

I have been in contact with G&L, but the arm they sent me is too thick.

Anyone used a Stratocaster arm as per this blurb regarding the early 1980s models? http://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/p ... m-pre-2005

"If you have an early- to mid-1980s G&L model such as SC-3 or F-100 which uses a screw-in vibrato arm, our recommendation is to use a vibrato arm for a USA Fender Stratocaster equipped with the vintage style vibrato. Screw-in Fender Stratocaster vibrato arms are available from many retailers such as Stewart-MacDonald or Allparts. Note that the early G&L vibratos using screw-in arms had black plastic tips. Often retailers will sell replacement arms with white tips but will sell different color arm tips separately."

Anyone know which of these is the correct one?

https://www.allparts.com/search.asp?key ... arm&catid=

http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Par ... olo_Parts/


Hello Robert,

Does the arm socket on your SC-1 have the allen set screw on the side of the socket? If so, I suggest getting the non-threaded version (from either Allparts or Stew-Mac) The diameter of the trem arm bar is 3/16"
and I believe the early strat and mustang arms are that size. If the arm socket is without the allen set screw, the arm to get should be threaded (10-32).

Here's some info from Gabe Dellevigne (aka GPD, a long time G&L historian):

GPD wrote:The earliest Dual Fulcrum vibrato arm came with either a long or short arm that was fashioned from .125” diameter stainless steel rod. It was threaded on both ends…one side had a plastic tip that threaded in place and the other end threaded into a socket (called a vibrato arm holder in the old literature). The “socket” was made of mild steel and zinc plated. It was internally threaded to receive the vibrato arm. Additionally, the shoulder of the socket was drilled and tapped for a set screw. Leo added a small nylon cushion that the set screw pressed against. This rig acts as a clutch of sorts allowing the player to easily adjust the amount of rotational resistance the arm will have…very slick!!! Easily the coolest vibrato arm mounting setup available in 1980 and still one of my favorites of all time.
Regarding the long early vibrato arm…I’ve found them on both 1980 and 1981 F-100’s and they disappeared before any other guitar models were introduced. From my research, I cannot find any rhyme or reason as to what determined what guitar would get one of these long arms.


Hope this helps.

:ugeek:

Re: Sourcing Vibrato arm for (1980s) SC-1.

Sun Mar 06, 2016 8:57 am

isn't ESI Gabes company ??

Re: Sourcing Vibrato arm for (1980s) SC-1.

Sun Mar 06, 2016 9:09 am

Fumble fingers wrote:isn't ESI Gabes company ??


Yes it is:

From our Links page:

G&L authentic reproduction parts from ESI
Longtime member and active participant on the G&LDP, Gabe Dellevigne (aka GPD), has a business called ESI.
ESI specializes in the authentic reproduction of difficult or impossible to locate parts for G&L brand guitars and
basses produced between the years of 1980 and 1991.


:ugeek: