Odd trem claw/springs in '93 Legacy

[Beyer160]

I just picked up a '93 Legacy, and found this under the backplate-




I have never seen anything like it before. What the heck is the rod going into the body? This can't be factory, can it?

Anyone have any ideas?

[Fumble fingers]

I believe that's a adjustable "limiter" for the trem

[yowhatsshakin]

I believe that's a adjustable "limiter" for the trem

Correct. Looks like it is a Hipshot Tremsetter. And more than likely it was installed by a previous owner, not the factory.

- Jos

[John C]

I believe that's a adjustable "limiter" for the trem

Correct. Looks like it is a Hipshot Tremsetter. And more than likely it was installed by a previous owner, not the factory.

- Jos

Agreed; I've never heard of G&L using these from the factory.

A bit of history - the Tremsetter was a factory piece on Fender's USA "deluxe" models back then - you'll find them on Strat Plus models starting in late 1987 (the first ones didn't have them) until it was discontinued at the end of 1997. It was also on Strat Plus Deluxe and Strat Ultra models from the time they came out until Fender changed out the bridges on those models in late 1993 (they went with a locking saddle bridge and took off the Tremsetter). I think they also put it on the short-lived Tele Plus Deluxe, which was only made for 3-4 years (ending in 1993) - that was a Tele Plus (the one with the dual Lace Sensor at the bridge) with a trem instead of a hard-tail bridge.

It's supposed to always return the trem to the "neutral" setting with the plate absolutely parallel with the body of the guitar, even if you break a string.

[Beyer160]

Thanks, I'd never seen those!