Easily the most popular vibrato ever, the Fender Strat's waggle bar is not perfect, and one of its 'problems' lies in the relatively crude fulcrum point.
But now Super-Vee has come up with a unique solution: its Blade technology, a 'pivot' created by a small insert of industrial grade stainless spring steel. There is no actual pivot point to wear or prevent return to pitch, the flexible insert just bends as you move the arm.
Very nicely made with a lightweight aluminium block and an arm that screws into a nylon insert so it stays where you put it, the BladeRunner is a direct replacement for most Strat-style vibratos.
Simply remove your old vibrato and its six pivot screws and fit the BladeRunner - you only use the outer four screws but screw them hard down. The front on the vibrato doesn't move, it's the insert between that and the main vibrato block that provides the flex.
In Use
Fitted to our reference Road Worn Fender Strat there's a really nice lively resonance to the guitar - subtly different to the original vibrato. Things do feel a little stiffer: the arm stays put and you seem to need a little more push; but again it's subtle and after half an hour of playing, unless you like a really light vibrato feel, we think you'll adapt.
But it's the tuning stability that is most impressive. Our Strat feels (and sounds) well and truly upgraded!