One of my guitars is the Ibanez RG 2550. One problem (if it is a problem) is that the whammy bar doesn't "swing freely" when I let it go. In other words, I have to move it down to the "six o'clock" position after I use it in a lick. Shouldn't it just swing down by itself when I let it go?

-Kizaze

I think tremolo systems are just different. Mine does the same as yours (a little stiff) and I prefer it that way. When I do use it I know where it is at and then just give it a bump when I am finish and it goes to about 2 or 3 o'clock position.

On one of my old Kramer guitars the bar just goes where ever it wants and while jamming in a live situation it would drive me crazy. It was always running away from where I wanted to grab it. Very unpredictable.

I think its really person preference.

Depends on the plastic fills around the arm.
The friction decides.

Thanks Uncle,

I don't mind it so much - like you said, you always know where it is. I just didn't know if it was broken or damaged.

Thanks,
Kizaze

Yeah, my guitar's whammy bar is always where ever it feels like...i stuck some plastic around it and now it sticks better...but for being too stiff i dunno maybe get new bushings or even take one off and see if that helps? if anything though being stiff is a good thing cause if its too loose you can't do half the tricks you may want to

I wouldn't call it "stiff", it just stays wherever I put it. There's no tension when I rotate it, so I'll assume it's not broken. (First whammy bar for me - still learning)

-Kiz

You should be able to adjust the tension of your whammy bar. Read the manual or google it to find out how to adjust your