Replacement Vib. bar for F-100 II?

[Steve_Karl]

Greetings all,
I just purchased and other 1981 F-100 II and it needs a replacement vibrato bar / handle.
So, far I haven't found one so I thought maybe someone here might have an idea.

I'd also be up for replacing the plug if need be to be able to possibly use a 3rd party replacement.

Any and all thoughts are welcome.

Thank you!

Steve

[Craig]

Greetings all,
I just purchased and other 1981 F-100 II and it needs a replacement vibrato bar / handle.
So, far I haven't found one so I thought maybe someone here might have an idea.

I'd also be up for replacing the plug if need be to be able to possibly use a 3rd party replacement.

Any and all thoughts are welcome.

Thank you!

Steve

Check out the G&L On-Line Store for the vibrato bar.
Here's the link to the one you need (opens in new tab):
Vibrato_Arm

Hope this helps.

[Steve_Karl]

Yes. Thank you!

[Steve_Karl]

Ya know - - - I believe the one I need has a threaded end. 3/16" is the correct size but will the un-threaded one work?

[Craig]

Ya know - - - I believe the one I need has a threaded end. 3/16" is the correct size but will the un-threaded one work?

Does your arm socket have the allen set screw? If so, you can use the not threaded bar and tighten the set screw with the nylon bushing to hold it in place.
If not, see this post: I need a tremelo arm, do you know where I can get one?.

Hope this helps.

[Steve_Karl]

Ya know - - - I believe the one I need has a threaded end. 3/16" is the correct size but will the un-threaded one work?

Does your arm socket have the allen set screw? If so, you can use the not threaded bar and tighten the set screw with the nylon bushing to hold it in place.
If not, see this post: I need a tremelo arm, do you know where I can get one?.

Hope this helps.

Hi Craig,

I think we're getting close to a solution.

No - my socket doesn't have the nylon bushing and Allen set screw.
Will this newer socket fit the original 1981 bridge?

https://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/ ... cb78&_ss=r

If yes then I'll get the socket and the arm.

Thank you!

Steve

[Craig]

Ya know - - - I believe the one I need has a threaded end. 3/16" is the correct size but will the un-threaded one work?

Does your arm socket have the allen set screw? If so, you can use the not threaded bar and tighten the set screw with the nylon bushing to hold it in place.
If not, see this post: I need a tremelo arm, do you know where I can get one?.

Hope this helps.

Hi Craig,

I think we're getting close to a solution.

No - my socket doesn't have the nylon bushing and Allen set screw.
Will this newer socket fit the original 1981 bridge?

https://g-l-online-store.myshopify.com/ ... cb78&_ss=r

If yes then I'll get the socket and the arm.

Thank you!

Steve

Yes, that will work with the non-threaded CLF Research 3/16" vibrato bar.

[Steve_Karl]

But just to be clear ...

will that newer socket fit in the original 1981 brige?

Thanks!

[Craig]

But just to be clear ...

will that newer socket fit in the original 1981 brige?

Thanks!

Yes, per the G&L On-Line Store page:

This is the arm socket used from the late 80's through mid-2000s. Comes complete with mounting nut, tension screw and nylon insert.
Same part for both left-hand and right-hand guitars.

Includes new tension screw and nylon insert.

[Steve_Karl]

Well, hopefully - since mine is "early" 80s 1981.

[Craig]

Well, hopefully - since mine is "early" 80s 1981.

The size of the socket with the allen set screw is the same as yours without the set screw.

[Steve_Karl]

UPDATE

I got the new socket and bar. Very nice hardware.
The socket was a tiny bit too large to fit in the bridge plate.
The edges of the threads were more pronounced than the threads on the original socket.
It wouldn't even begin to go into the hole in the bridge plate.
So,
I used a conical stone Dremel bit to widen the back end and sides of the hole,
removing material from everywhere other than the flattened part of the hole.
It took about 5 minutes and it's a good fit now.

I also needed to use a diamond cutting wheel on the Dremel to be able to remove the old socket.
The threads on the flattened part of the socket, where they're cut away to mate with the flattened
part of the hole in the bridge plate, those threads, right at the end, the last 2 or 3, just wouldn't let the socket come out.
So, I buffed them down with the diamond cutting wheel and that solved that problem.
It took about a minute to do that.

So, all in all all is good.
I just wanted to document this because it wasn't an exact fit on my guitar, with is a 1980 F-100 II.

[john o]

Hi Steve, welcome. glad you were able to resolve the '80's vibrato bar problem.
Show us a pic of your F-100!
I have an '81 series 1 mahogany/ebony/hardtail/passive

[Steve_Karl]

Ooo ... that's a nice looking guitar!
I had an 80s hard tail maple/ebony for a while once.
Had to sell it. It was a screamer. it had very tall frets on it.

My new acquire is all in parts now. Neck is off. Doing some work on it.
I'll put photos up when it's all back together.

[Steve_Karl]

All done with the hard work on the (new to me) F-100 II.
I stripped the fret board - refinished with Minwax Satin Wipe-On Poly.
Replaced the vibrato bar socket.
Upgraded the tuners to Schaller mini locking.
Satined the back of the neck with a grey Scotchbrite.
Dressed the fret ends. Some tangs were sticking out and there were some sharp edges.

Everything from here on is fine tuning - action - relief - maybe some tilt.
I'm happy with the progress.

Here are some photos taken during the work described above.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/p8xQGTUuBbq5tV7n6

[avalonpb]

Beautiful work on that fretboard!

[Steve_Karl]

Thanks Avalonpb ... it was surprisingly easy.

[john o]

Nice work on the neck, Steve!
Nice that you preserved the frets. I'm a fan of the early '80's G&L frets.
I have them on the '81 F-100 and an early '84 Skyhawk.

[Steve_Karl]

Thanks John o
Yea ... the frets ... so far so good. They're very low, which is rare for me, and most of them are flat on top.
They might take one more level and crown but not sure.
SS 6100 is my usual go to now days.