Installing Whammy Sleeve

The Whammy Sleeve is designed to return your whammy bar back to (or better than) the original feel.

PRO TIP: You might review the Whammy Repair Base Installation page before starting to get a good understanding of removing and reinstalling the whammy assembly.

1 Prepare

Open the guitar and remove the whammy assembly.
Remove the E-Clip (not shown) from the bottom of the whammy bar.
Remove the whammy bar from the whammy base and remove whatever remains of the current sleeve.
Have rubbing alcohol available to ‘lubricate’ the parts for assembly.

Install new Whammy Sleeve, all parts shown — Figure 1. All parts necessary to install the Whammy Sleeve

2. Wet with alcohol

Thoroughly wet the end of the whammy bar with the alcohol.

Install new Whammy Sleeve, iso alcohol — Figure 2. Wet the end of the whammy bar in isopropyl alcohol to aid installation of the Whammy Sleeve.

3. Installation Guide

Add the cone-shaped Installation Guide to the end of the whammy bar.

This will provide a ‘ramp’ to make installing the sleeve MUCH easier.

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve, place Installation Aid — Figure 3. Place the Installation Sleeve to help guide the Whammy Sleeve over the sharp edge.

4. Start the Sleeve

Using your thumb or any flat object, start the Whammy Sleeve onto and over the Installation Aid.

Make sure everything is still wet with the alcohol. Re-dip now if necessary.

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve, start placement of the Whammy Sleeve — Figure 4. Slide the Whammy Sleeve as far onto the whammy bar as possible

5. Finish installing Sleeve

Use your thumbnails to finish sliding the Whammy Sleeve over the Installation Guide and into the final position

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve, push sleeve rest of the way on. — Figure 5. Switch to your thumbnails and continue pushing the Whammy Sleeve onto the Whammy Bar.

6. Celebrate your half-way point.

Remove the Installation aid.

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve, Sleeve in position — Figure 6. New Whammy Sleeve in position.

7. Dip in alcohol again

Dip the new Whammy Sleeve in the alcohol.

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve. Remove the Installation Aid and re-wet the entire Whammy Sleeve — Figure 7. Remove the Installation Aid and re-wet the entire Whammy Sleeve in the alcohol.

8. Twist-and-push

Carefully yet firmly push and twist back-and-forth to ease the whammy bar and Whammy Sleeve back into the Whammy Base.

NOTE: be careful that the Whammy Sleeve does not ‘bunch-up’ before it is fully installed. Back off, re-dip in alcohol and try again. If there is still too much resistance, you may need to VERY SLIGHTLY enlarge the hole.

There are two Whammy Sleeves in the kit just in case there is any damage on the first try.

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve, twist to insert into whammy base. — Figure 8. Twist back-and forth while applying pressure until fully seated.

9. Add E-Clip

Confirm that the groove for the E-clip is visible (red arrow).

Add the e-clip.

Reassemble and re-install the whammy assembly into the guitar body.

Button ‘er up and enjoy!

Install new HobbyCNC Whammy Sleeve, verify slot for eClip is visible — Figure 9. Verify the groove for the E-clip is visible and re-install the E-clip.