Mounting Hipshot 6 String US Contour Tremolo using Strat route

[upyardrat]

I contacted Warmoth about a template for their strat routing.  But they gave me a wordy response that seemed to duck the request.

I have a body with a strat route and would like to put in a 6 String US Contour Tremolo from Hipshot that claims is a drop in for American strat. I cant confirm if Warmoth uses the same dimensions or is slightly different.

I would send Hipshot a schematic and ask them but cant find one for the Warmoth route.

Does anyone know if this trem will fit into the Warmoth strat routing?

Here is a link to the hipshot pdf as I couldn't figure out how to drop the image in this text.

https://www.hipshotproducts.com/files/all/42100-2d_4.pdf

 

[stratamania]

Can we assume you have a Warmoth body routed for a two pivot American Standard strat rout ?

If so, it conforms to the Fender spec, so as the Hipshot is designed to fit that you should have no problem. The inserts are also the same at .375. I mention this as there was a thread in the last week or so where the question arose for someone putting a Hipshot bridge into a Wilkinson rout where this the insert dimension is different. In your case, it isn't.

I think if Warmoth are asked about bridges they do not specifically sell or rout for they understandably will err on the side of caution as if it doesn't fit then it becomes their problem.

 

[BigSteve22]

On my Strat I used a Hipshot US Flatplate trem in an American Standard route. I did have a small fit problem: The sustain block was nearly touching the small overhang of the laminate top at the rear of the route. As this was my first, and so far only, Warmoth Strat, I don't know if this is normal or just an anomaly in the Showcase body I bought.

In any event, I used a Dremel with a router attachment to remedy this. I positioned a straight edge and set it to take off appx. 1/8" of the laminate at the rear of the route. That's all that was needed, but it was necessary. It's unnoticeable because the trem covers it.

Warmoth does offer a specific route for Hipshot trems:

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Bodies/Options/BridgeRoutingOptions.aspx

Good luck with your build.  :icon_thumright:

 

[upyardrat]

Thanks for the replies. I do have a Warmoth body already, a Koa top, chambered mahogany with the strat route already in place.  If I could just get a pdf or whatever of the route dimensions.  It amazes me how difficult it seems to be get these schematics given the amount of "other" information about "warmoth things" out there. I talked with Hipshot and they were nice enough to send me adapters to put in the inserts to accept their trem studs. I would send them the dimensions and ask if I could get them.  I'm not positive but it seems that at one point in my searches I came across something about the two routs illustrating a minor difference, again I can be sure of this as I cant find that anymore.  It would stand to reason, however, given how they slightly alter other aspects of name brand guitars to avoid issue.

Interesting, stratamania, what you had to deal with and how you solved the problem.  I could do what you mentioned if I ABSOLUTELY had to in order to make it work, but rather not if avoidable.....I mean its Koa and cost over $500, and wouldn't want to risk it (please no lectures about the $45 up-charge to get the Hipshot route)

 

[stratamania]

@upyardrat, no it was not my problem. It was somebody elses challenge, I helped to provide a potential solution in the thread.

If you have the body, surely you can measure the dimensions directly rather than trying to find a PDF ?

 

[Cagey]

That's what I would do. Having the actual body and parts is much better than any drawing. Can't argue with reality.

 

[upyardrat]

I haven't bought the trem yet, wanting to be sure it would fit.  Its kind of an expensive crap shoot if doesn't I pretty sure I couldn't convince them to allow me to return it to them if it doesn't.  But that may be what I have to do. Thanks for the input.  Ill keep digging and hopefully post what I discover so others will know.

 

[BigSteve22]

Just FYI, the best place to buy Hipshot products is NOT from the manufacturer. Look on Reverb or eBay for SportHiTech. They are an authorized on line dealer, and offer considerable discounts over factory prices.

They can also special order hard to find or non-standard items for you. These guys are really great to work with, and respond quickly to e-mails. I looked for a long time for a Hipshot US Flat Plate trem unit because none of the online vendors had them, and I didn't want to spend $120 on it by ordering it directly from Hipshot. When I found SportHiTech, I sent them an email asking if they could get me one. They special ordered it for me, I had it in my hand in about two weeks, and they saved me about $30 off the factory price.

I just bought a set of Hipshot open back, locking tuners with D08 buttons, and posts staggered 3x18mm, 2x19mm, and 1x21mm, instead of the Hipshot's standard 2,2,2. Cost me all told, $55.95. No tax, free shipping. Had them in 3 days AND they sent the original buttons too! Price from Hipshot would have been about $80 plus tax, (I live in NYS). I don't remember if Hipshot charges for shipping.

Give them a try, I'm sure thay can save you some money. :icon_thumright:

 

[Cagey]

I'll second the vote for SportHiTech. Good products and service at reasonable prices. No knock on Hipshot - they make great stuff. But, they deliberately charge list price for their parts to protect their dealers, who would likely not carry their products if the manufacturer was competing with them for sales. It sounds like a pain in the shorts, but it's actually good policy for everybody.

 

[BigSteve22]

I'll second the vote for SportHiTech. Good products and service at reasonable prices. No knock on Hipshot - they make great stuff. But, they deliberately charge list price for their parts to protect their dealers, who would likely not carry their products if the manufacturer was competing with them for sales. It sounds like a pain in the shorts, but it's actually good policy for everybody.

I'll buy that, and come to think of it, I did!

 

[bagman67]

Guitar Parts Resource also carries some Hipshot gear at a good price.  Last time I looked, their Hipshot B-bender unit was priced better than any other online retailers I could find carrying it.


http://www.guitarpartsresource.com

 

[BigSteve22]

Guitar Parts Resource also carries some Hipshot gear at a good price.  Last time I looked, their Hipshot B-bender unit was priced better than any other online retailers I could find carrying it.

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com

+1 on Guitar Parts Resource. Great place to find all the miscellaneous stuff you forgot you needed, and it's all in one place. Only place I found that always has pot grounding lugs in stock, and you don't have to buy 500!
:icon_thumright: