Howdy, all. "New Guy" needs Bendmaster Deluxe Trem parts!!

Thank for the response, Barry – it's much appreciated. I was about to ask how one goes about making blocks from steel strapping, but saw your answer. Am already looking on the internet for likely replacements. I've also got a couple of Floyd Roses on an Aria Pro II JX-3 and a Palm Bay Typhoon II, so may compare with what I find. I shall try an 'import' 6mm trem. May already have on in my treasure chest. I had seen a thread – I thought on here –  that discussed replacing the insert in the bendmaster for a Floyd Rose one so a FR arm could be used. Have seen the Clipper link, thanks. I was told it was probably an early Matsumoku Clipper, though I didn't believe it could be. Its a 4112 and I think it Must be sky blue that has either faded, or the clearcoat has yellowed, as it is definitely a lurid greeny/blue. May have to give it a buff and see if that improves matters. Don't know if you know anything about the headstocks. It appears to have been made out of multiple pieces of wood.  Many thanks, once again. Barry wrote: Boo! (Zombie thread alert)

Well now, a lot has happened in the 6 years that his thread was active but the hardware info above is still valid.

Forum member Corsair pops in occasionally so he may have something to add if he does.

Forum member Sgt Vimes has not been around for a long time so I would consider him inaccessible but you could try contacting him just in case he's still monitoring things (I would recommend emailing rather that PM'ing as a member does not see forum messages unless logged in).

In the meantime, a 6 mm ("import size") tremolo bar should fit nicely and you can get them many places online.

If you haven't seen it already here's the link to the Clipper entry on our website: CLIPPER SERIES

Is that the Floyd Rose trem arm you're referring to as 10/32\", Barry? Or. the fine tuners or locking nut bolts? I'd have thought Westone would have been metric and have checked that a 6mm import arm fits like a dream. So, just the locking nut and fine tuners. Fine tuners are a bit tricky as I couldn't get the tuners out of my JX-3 FR to test on the Clipper. They have 9mm heads and need to check if the thread is 4mm. Then I should be able to find some.  Barry wrote:The Floyd Rose should be a 10-32 thread, quite a bit smaller. Not worth the headache to adapt it. Much simpler to just buy the correct diameter in the first place, nice and solid.

I think you're right about the colour change, UV exposure does that to a number of colours. 
Buffing probably will not make much of a difference except to make it nice and shiny!

I'm not certain about the Clippers in particular but Matsumoku typically added the colour to the catalyzed poly finish (rather than to the wood and then sealing it with clear). The colour change will therefore be all the way through the thickness.

As matter of practicality and economy, yes head stocks on almost all guitars are made of several pieces of wood, especially all the "pointy" models. There's no way that any manufacturer is going to waste a huge amount of expensive wood just to make the neck one-piece top to bottom. It's actually stronger that way too.

Barry wrote:The 10-32 was in reference to the FR tremolo arm that you brought up in post #7 as a possible replacement.