Replacement trem spring for Apollo greenburst

[bergenwoods]

Hi everyone! I'm new to this site, so I thought I'd introduce myself. My name is Bergen, and I'm a 62-year-old surf guitarist. I need some help.

I just acquired a vintage Apollo greenburst just like the ones displayed by Don and Paul in the Japanese and Asian Guitar Gallery, and also shown as one of the 4 guitars in the composite picture in this site's header.

Mine is in near mint condition, as it looks, sounds, plays, and feels great. I play lead guitar in a surf band, and hope to use this guitar as one of 2 main gigging guitars. When I bought the guitar, it came with a set of .011 flatwound strings. With those strings, the trem arm was at exactly the right height for my playing style, which involves holding the trem arm loosely in my hand while I play, so it is always at the ready. I like flatwounds, but the guage was too heavy. I couldn't bend the strings at all. I replaced the strings with .009 flatwounds. Now the strings are perfect for me, but the change in tension has moved the trem arm too high for me to use it the way I prefer.

I will probably try to cut the spring to shorten it a bit. Has anyone ever tried to do that? I also want to get a spare spring, in case I damage the original one and need to replace it. Can I use a Bigsby spring?

Thanks,
Bergen

[VintAxe]

Hi Bergen and welcome to the Forum.

My local hardware store carries compression springs that are the correct diameter for a Teisco trem but too long. So, I do cut springs down to length from time to time. I happen to have a chop saw with a metal cutting blade on it so I simply hold the spring with a pair of needle nose pliers and feed the spring into the saw. I'll then take it over to the grinder and flatten the top. I'm sure a hacksaw and metal file can accomplish the same task with more effort.

I suggest you keep the original spring intact and buy a new spring to cut down. If you don't have a local hardware store that actually sells hardware, there is a fella on eBay that sells reproduction springs for Teiscos. They are a little pricey but not outrageous. He sells singles for $10 and groups of three for $25 with shipping included. Here is the link:

[bergenwoods]

Hi Steve,

Thanks for the welcome and the info. I should have waited for your reply, but instead I went ahead and ordered a "Spring for Hillbilly Tremolo" from ZAMM Guitars on eBay for $5.99 plus $3 shipping. I'm pretty sure it's a Bigsby spring, which is why I asked about Bigsby on here. When it arrives I'll let you know if it fits.

I'm not very good a mechanical things - all thumbs! I hope I can cut the spring to the right length without destroying it!

Is there any way to find out who else on this forum has the Apollo greenburst guitar? It would be nice to find a few folks with the same guitar.

Bergen

[bergenwoods]

Hey, I swapped out a spring from a damaged Jazzmaster trem assembly, and even though it is a different diameter, it is exactly right for my greenburst! Talk about luck!