It appears that one side of the fulcrum that the trem rests on is longer on one side than the other, on the treble side. Is this right? It makes taking the strings out a bit of a pain in the arse, to be honest as it pulls the ball ends too low to be easily pushed out. Should I file it down?
it might not be the fulcrum so much as it's that the spring is on one side of the trem so when you take off the springs it pushes one side up more than the other.
Its the fulcrum that the pivoting section of the trem pivots against. It's the bit that's secured by the three screws under the Fender logo. It extends out in two sections, but one side is longer than the other, pushing the trem down too far on the treble side, making it difficult to get the strings out or in.
I'll probably take pics next time I change strings.
seen this happen on mine before, and as i recall it was just that bits underneath the hood had shifted their positions so as to cause this. at one point i did have to take it apart and reassemble, but i haven't seen it happen since.
i know what you are talking about, just push down on the trem arm when replacing strings, without tension the spring doesn't have anything to push against and the way its designed it just kinda all flops around.
just push down on the "reverb handle" and deal with it noob.